Permafrost

Reviewed By  Ian Banks       March 14, 2022

 

Author  SJ Norman

Distributor:      UQP
ISBN:                 9780702263422
Publisher:         University of Queensland Press (UQP) (2022)
Release Date:   September 2021  

   Website:   https://www.uqp.com.au

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Short stories as a collection are always interesting; sometimes they just fit the bill perfectly when there is limited time to spend reading. Permafrost from SJ Norman is such a collection but with a somewhat dark twist.

Each of the stories is slightly different but carry a similar theme, each set in various parts of the world, the characters somewhat lost in their world of youth and angst, each looking for a way forward but all the while refusing to accept what it is they are discovering.

At times deeply disturbing, at others just plain well, yeah, the thread is always teetering on the edge of one step too far; thus saying the characters remain with you long after the story has come to a somewhat abrupt ending, leaving the thoughts of the reader to answer the unstated.

Modern in context, dangerous in concept the work is darkly fascinating, drawing in the emotions, the imagination, the overall effect is somewhat surreal. The use of language is beautifully rich and textured.

Considering SJ Norman is by day a Visual and performance artist, the artist has bought undoubted the performance skills to the written word, to create a somewhat darkly intriguing collection in-spite of the sometimes confrontational subject matter.

Permafrost will appeal to anyone who loves alternate literature. But who is SJ Norman, one person or a troop, each creating a storyline on a similar theme! Intriguing!