The complete list of thirty over-the-top stories included in “Off Center in the Attic,” with their descriptions, meant to bend the mind:Acting in a Coffin – A director plays a prank that backfires on a movie set.The Wallflower – A woman compares herself to one who is the life of the party.Pupule – A neighborhood gets a lesson in humility from a crazy old Hawaiian man.To Soar – What a bird … drops.Out of Body – A man is shot and his brain goes through a metamorphosis.Looking for Life – Never the right one.Most Wanted – The killer of young boys remains at large.Grandpappyâs Cows – Antics of backward backwoods relatives.Boy at the Crossroad – The making of a monster.Cafeteria Science – How to lose your lunch.Indoctrination – A daring woman gets her wish to experience something different.Explosive Day – No escape.The Smell of Death – A clue to the dying.Legacy – A woman in mourning changes her life to follow in her motherâs footsteps.An Urgent Message – A plea to a writer.Rituals – Neurosis as a way of life.Watched – Being watched can kill.The Swimmer – A man losing his sanity.Thanatos – The urge to die.Alien Footprints – An invisible perpetrator.Vibratory Rates – Visitations from heaven and hell.The Voodoo Kit – A Jamaican hex follows a woman home.Pekoe – A newborn kitten abandoned in a portable toilet.Great Lady of Wisdom – A holy goat.The Last Thing I Do – The end of making memories.Future Winner – A little-known artist gets a break.Innocence – A high school girl on the verge of betrayal by her innocence.Sister Fly – KarmaHomeless, Not Heartless – A man and his dog.Roots – What you may find when tracing your family tree.
more
I’ve read all of Mary Deal’s novels at this point, except for two non-fiction ones that I’ll eventually dive into. Off Center In The Attic is a collection of ~40 short stories where the theme or characters are slightly askew or peculiar in a way that will entice and excite you. Some are just a few lines; others are ~15 pages. All are well-written and showcase her fantastic talent as a storyteller, author, and creator.
On the shorter side for a collection–ending up around ~125 pages in totality–you can devour these tales all in one sitting or over a few night before going to bed. A few frights, a few laughs, you’ll undoubtedly love some more than others because of a character’s description, the ingenious plot twist, or the clever and witty writing tone.
I recommend reading one of her novels first so you understand how strong of a writer she is, then hop to the short story collection so you can see the immense range of her work. Then hop back to her other books where you can travel the world and visit serial killers through her talented writing skills.
This is a great collection of stories, each one long enough to reel you in but short enough to finish over a cup of tea. Wild children in a trailer park, an out of body experience & strange deaths in a small town, all as different as could be, with many more besides. I won’t go into too much detail as the reader needs to appreciate this gem for themselves but there are tales inside to suit everyone. Now that I’ve got a taste of Mary Deal’s writing, I’ll be purchasing one of her full-length novels.
Off Centre in the Attic: by Mary Deal
A collection of short stories with such a variety in storyline and genre it is impossible to pigeonhole the writer´s style. Some are dark and disturbing, others are written from the viewpoint of animals, and even inanimate objects. The stories vary in length and for this reason I believe this would make a good holiday read. It´s the type of book you could read anywhere, even on your lunch break. Wherever you are and whatever free time you have, you´re bound to find a story which will fit the bill and fit into your time line. An interesting read.
Whenever I write a book review I like to see what other reviewers have said, not to copy their thoughts, but to learn the diversity of impressions each has come away with. The reviews of Mary Deal’s book are both subjective and objective, and define this collection of short stories perfectly. Her writing is expert, captivating and technically flawless.
There is so much variety in the stories: some are just snippets of fleeting thought, perhaps a sentence or two long; others are luxurious in detail and rich in imagery. Some are disturbing in exposing the dark side of humanity, others transcend the earthly with mystical philosophies about death and near-death experiences.
Bizarre voodoo or extraterrestrial superstitions are creatively explored. Some are written from the point of view of a wallflower, a bird, or – I kid you not – a pen! My favorite is “Out of Body,” with its roller coaster ride through a crime victim’s varying levels of consciousness, to an awakening of clarity and a new “reality.”
There is no escaping Deal’s love of art and her spiritual connection to the tropics, particularly Hawaii. These come from her personal and intimate experiences in those realms. And her stories certainly have a subject matter that will amuse, confound, or emotionally touch readers who have dissimilar literary tastes. You are certain to find one or more that will have you pondering the deeper meaning behind the words.