Let them Float by Katy Wimhurst blogtour

Let Them Float, 112 pages (29k words), genre – Magical Realism (and some Surrealism).



Short blurb:

In these short stories, Katy Wimhurst creates off-kilter worlds that illuminate our own. Apocalyptic rabbits invade a town. People overwhelmed by their lives float above an urban park. A woman turns transparent after a virus. The playful lens of magical realism is used to explore physical and mental illness and our fragile environment. Thought-provoking fiction with a good dose of whimsy.


Endorsements:


‘Katy Wimhurst’s stories are enchanting. They appear beguilingly simple yet contain layers of meaning and mystery. The author’s inventive interpretations of familiar situations give any reader fresh insights into their own experiences. Even with dark subjects, there are always sparks of hope and humour.’
Dorothy Schwartz, author of Behind a Glass Wall.


‘Katy Wimhurst combines charming whimsy with weighty environmental and psychological issues and, in the balance, she delights and surprises the reader. Rich imagination and fresh, clean writing.’
Petra McQueen, founder of The Writers’ Company.


Longer blurb:

In these short stories, Katy Wimhurst creates off-kilter worlds that illuminate our own. Apocalyptic rabbits invade a town. People overwhelmed by their lives float above an urban park. A woman turns transparent after a virus. The Messiah helps a grieving widow to garden. A retired man is desperate to see mermaids.

The playful lens of magical realism and surrealism is used to explore physical and mental illness and our fragile environment. Most stories are set at a tipping point, just as change happens to a character or events escalate. Thought-provoking fiction with a good dose of wry humour and whimsy.

Bio: Katy Wimhurst’s first collection of short stories was Snapshots of the Apocalypse (Fly on the Wall Press, 2022) and her second collection Let Them Float will be published in December 2023 (Alien Buddha Press). Her fiction has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including The Guardian, Writers’ Forum, Cafe Irreal, Kaleidotrope, and ShooterLit. Her first book of visual poems, Fifty-One Trillion Bits, was published by Trickhouse Press (2023). She sometimes writes literary essays on speculative fiction and interviews writers for 3AM Magazine. She blogs at https://whimsylph.wordpress.com. She is housebound with the illness M.E.

My thoughts

With short stories I always am slightly worried.  Not because I don’t love the short stories but I find that with any anthology of stories that some will be hit and some will be a miss.  It’s what I have seen for years both as a reader and someone who is trying to write his own short stories and publish them.

Let them float is the signature story and it’s one of the better short stories I have read.  I love the premise and I love the fact that it’s a unique story with plot I haven’t really seen that much before.

The first story I really enjoyed the character Isla.  She is interesting and I love the fact that she is strong by herself or with others.

It is interesting to see what the author is building to.  I think this story is absolutely unique and that I am really loving Isla.

I enjoyed it a lot but still not sure I fully have understood the story.  It was very good even if I don’t understand.  This is one of those stories that I will have to read again to pick up on the nuances that were missed.

The Rabbits of the Apocalypse

This story had a silly feeling to it but was fun as well.  I mean who would think rabbits could be a harbinger of the apocalypse. 

The feeling that this book engenders are that of a childlike mind.  The wonders of a childs imagination and the way that they view the world is what this story feels like.

It was an easy read which is great since I don’t want a lot of more difficult stories I prefer a combination.

Bubble

Very short and confusing as I am not sure the point of the story but certainly had me chuckle a bit.

Gardening with the Messiah

This one for me I just didn’t get and didn’t enjoy but every other story I have been in love with the style.

Disillusioned by Mermaids

The mystical world and it’s creatures have always been something that I have been fond of.  Mermaids in particular was a creature that always intrigued me as well as pushed me to want to write my own stories.  However I focus on other mystical creatures.

The story for me feels like it is be careful about meeting your heroes or favourite creatures as they are not all going to be what you expected.

Duskers

An interesting story not sure what else to say because it was not overly long and not one of my favourites but was solid.

I laughed at one part and it just has me giggling.  Then again I seem to have the humour of a 12 year old boy still.

Gone with the Gypsies

This story kind of triggered me a bit as I have had numerous uncles and friends go through memory issues and this one seems to have hit on them all.