by Hal Duncan
First published 2007
This collection presents nine distinct protagonists confronting circumstances that strip away their normal lives. Each character faces a different form of displacement. An exile wanders far from home. An abductee struggles against captors. A hostage endures confinement. A tourist discovers more than expected. Others experience shifts through time, breakdowns of mental stability, emotional upheaval, or social rejection. Duncan crafts scenarios where ordinary people must adapt when their usual supports vanish. The stories span multiple forms of speculative fiction, from science fiction to fantasy to psychological exploration. Characters make choices under pressure, revealing who they become when comfortable assumptions no longer apply. These tales explore what happens when people lose their moorings and must navigate unfamiliar territory, whether physical, temporal, or psychological.
Genres: short-stories, science-fiction, fantasy, psychological-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, ordinary-people
136 pages · Paperback · NewCon Press