"A captivating short story collection offering slices of ordinary life of people trying their best to make their way in the world. "
Short story collections can be like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. In Maps of Imaginary Towns, SJ Bradley creates a compelling mosaic of ordinary lives as told through 16 short stories.
The stories are poignant, with many of them featuring protagonists working in thankless jobs, like the council worker who is trying to keep the community music classes going even though their building has been condemned. Or the Cineworld employee in Wakefield who dreams of becoming an actor in London. Or the university worker trying to track down the recipient of an errant birthday card.
Some of Bradley’s imagery is stirring. I won’t soon forget the image of the postman doing his rounds with his newly adopted rescue dog hidden in his bag. Or the artist Toro moving to a remote house and being inspired by the ocean outside her door while ignoring her roommate Jay, who clearly loves her.
The wonderful thing about short story collections is that readers never have to stay in one spot for too long. You can never get bored, as you hop from story to story, viewing different snapshots from a variety of lives. This story collection showcases the importance of community in all its guises while focusing on the individuals who inhabit them.
Bradley writes beautifully, and sparingly, never wasting words. She has created touching portraits of ordinary people making their way in the world.
| Primary Genre | Dystopian and utopian fiction |
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