First published 2011
A woman returns to her Brixton flat only to discover her key refuses to turn in the lock. This is classic Fischer territory, exploring London's grittier corners through sharp observation and biting wit. The collection pairs this contemporary urban tale with a radically different second story that reimagines the Trojan War. An elderly man faces torture as his captors demand the real story behind history's most famous siege. His version strips away heroic myths to reveal a far messier truth about ships lost at sea and warriors whose armor gleamed less than legend suggests. Fischer delivers both stories through crisp dialogue and vivid imagery. The book features a unique design with dual covers and illustrations by Czech photographer Hana Vojáková. Readers can start with south London's nighttime streets or flip to Mediterranean sunlight.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: dual-narrative, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Brixton, London, Mediterranean
Period: Contemporary, Trojan War
51 pages · Hardcover · Unbound