The Orange Spotlight

Chelsea Martin The Really Funny Thing About Apathy (Sunnyoutside, Nov. 4th, 2010)

The new collection from Chelsea Martin contains four short stories that attempt to capture the depths of youthful apathy. Although apathy seems to be a common theme in flash fiction these days Chelsea take on life is refreshing and compelling.

In the first story, "At The End of This Story the Door Will Open and Eight Seconds Will Have Passed", she examines the mathematical likelihood of who may be knocking at her door. The key is exploring that inner thought pattern and admitting to her own doubts and needs. The key themes that seem to run through out this collection are love (mostly unrequited) and family. When I say family, I mean the absent father, the harmful words, and the loving grandmother. My favorite story is "McDonald's Is Impossible". It unfolds in reverse through a lengthy series of paired statements, and explains why it is impossible to eat a McDonald's.

The Really Funny Thing About Apathy is a charming collection that will be released on November 4th by Sunnyoutside.

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