Thoughts on Greener Pastures?

[Cronopio]

I just finished reading Michael Wehunt's debut collection Greener Pastures and was wondering if anybody else has something to say about it. To be honest, I found it to be a bit of a chore to get through. There is some good stuff in there, but to me, most stories were simply too obscure. A lot of tell and little show. I did like the title story, which conveyed just the right amount of weirdness and "uncanniness". "October Film Haunt: Under the House" probably warrants a re-read, because there's a LOT going on in there. Lastly, "Deducted from Your Share in Paradise" (great title, by the way!) is a great tale of speculative fiction which marries a fairly original setup with a forward momentum that serves the story well. The prose is gritty, but not in a forced way.

One thing is clear: The guy can write, no doubt about it. But sometimes the prose takes over at the expense of the plot. Maybe I'm just too dense, or maybe this is to be expected from a debut? I'm looking forward to checking out his second collection to see how he's developed, though. I'm sure the best is yet to come from this author.

[Michael]

I really enjoyed Greener Pastures. I think I was expecting a Joe Hill type short story collection in terms of prose and I got more of a M. R. James style of prose, which I am 100% ok with as I am a huge fan of James. But I can see how others may be turned away from the prose style; I just happen to really love it.

[Severini]

I got Greener Pastures on Kindle and reading only one story (Beside me singing in the wilderness) was enough to get a physical copy of The Inconsolables.

The stories I experienced balance obscurity and exposure in equal measure. I only read a couple off both collections but I am liking it so far.

[Nemonymous]

My detailed review of this book in 2016 —
Greener Pastures Michael Wehunt | The Des Lewis Gestalt Real-Time Reviews