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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Review: The Man Who Screams At Nightfall… and other stories by Rush Leaming


Get ready for a literary journey unlike any you’ve experienced before!


Review:

"I could have stood there asking over and over again why? and what for? asking big questions about broken lives, roles people play, choices they make, and whether the jagged paths we take, stumbling across this earth, really matter at all."

Reading the editorial reviews (“fancy” words and “profound” analysis) one could believe that “The Man Who Screams at Nightfall” will be a challenge for the ordinary reader… well, it is a challenge but not in the sense that you would think when checking the above-mentioned reviews.

What I liked:

The author has an extraordinary storytelling talent. His stories will captivate you. Almost without realising you’ll start analysing the thoughts and deeds of the characters and, more importantly, asking yourself what you would think or do in the presented circumstances. Indeed, “The Man Who Screams at Nightfall” collection challenges you to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and memories and identify where you stand within the general imprinted and personal set of values. What is – in your view - good or bad, and what is acceptable or not? How different are you from other people in the way of thinking, feeling and behaving? Were you or could you be influenced by inherited characteristics, experiences, and environment (surroundings, life situations)? What have you done for your own physical and moral well-being?

Each of the eleven stories is original and different; there is no repetition. Even if there are some constants, the characters’ and readers’ challenges vary. I should mention that “Ashes”, one of the best stories, is also different in the sense that the particular, individual experience reflects a tragedy shared by many. Similar to the stories, the characters themselves, even if connected through their issues (see also the author’s note), are different and perfectly drawn; they may be colourful on the outside but full of greys inside.

Last but not least, is the existence of hope. I do believe that. Even “a little patch of sunshine” brings a shadow of hope. 

What I did not like: -

Conclusion: The Leaming's stories are really good.  But don’t believe me, convince yourself by reading “The Man Who Screams at Nightfall” collection! Now!

PS “fun” fact: whilst the disclaimer states that any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously and the rest is a product of the author's imagination, the stories in this collection are at least 93% true (author’s word).

Description:

Thailand. The Congo. Greece. Spain. America…

Four continents and 40+ years in the making.

The Man Who Screams At Nightfall is a landmark collection of short stories depicting a young man on a classic voyage of self-discovery, scouring the earth in search of some purpose in life.

From childhood to parenthood and everything in between—these tales are at times raw and unflinching, at other times poignant and moving.

Get ready for a literary journey unlike any you’ve experienced before.

WARNING: Some of these stories contain strong language, depictions of graphic violence, and sexual situations.

About the author:
Rush Leaming has done many things including spending 15+ years in film/video production working on such projects as The Lord of the Rings films. His first novel, Don't Go, Ramanya, a political thriller set in Thailand, was published in the fall of 2016. His second novel followed suit in the summer of 2018, entitled The Whole of the Moon, set in the Congo at the end of the Cold War. 2021 saw the 5-star reception of his crime thriller Dead Tree Tales. His short stories have appeared in Notations, 67 Press, Lightwave, 5k Fiction, and The Electric Eclectic.

He has lived in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Zaire, Thailand, Spain, Greece, South Carolina, England, and Kenya.

Author's Giveaway


3 comments:

Wall-to-wall books said...

Fantastic review! This certainly does sound interesting!

Rush Leaming said...

Thanks so much for reviewing my book and featuring it on your site!

CCAM said...

@Wall-to-wall - I'm glad you liked it
@Rush Leaming - You're very welcome; I cannot wait to read your other works