Review, Sideshow

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On Sideshow by Sidney Thompson
Hardback ISBN: 1579660681
River City Publishing

It is often said that "real life is stranger than fiction",and it is in this manner that Sidney Thompson writes this collection of short stories devoid of any ghosts, goblins or supernatural intervention whatsoever. Although fictional, these stories are snap-shots of the lives of ordinary individuals, facing personal crises that are quite common in society. You may wonder why this book is entitled Sideshow, and perhaps, why it would be presented by a book review service dedicated to mysteries and thrillers. The answer is simple, these stories brilliantly illustrate the unusual and twisted perspectives conjured by the human mind in response to psychological need and the odd behavior it inspires. Thus, the tent to which Thompson heralds us is filled with exhibits not created by nature alone, but by circumstance.

Inside we meet a host of characters, some more colorful than others, that, like the rest of us, deal with life-altering situations in their own unique way. Whether they try to run away from their problems or use overly pragmatic solutions, they all fall short of coping in a "normal" manner. We most often find the manifestation of their bizarre behavior is the result of failed relationships and the constraints placed on the individual by society. It is in the act of breaching the social norm that the characters reveal themselves to us. This happens more subtlety in some stories than others, and if the reader should lose sight of the underlying story it may require a "re-read" to understand the ending.

For those interested in exploring the human psyche and willing to read intelligently written stories that require more thought than many on the market today, "Step Right Up!"

--BookBoo Staff

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