Tickly Mince and the Pie of Damocles

by Alasdair Gray

First published 1990

Tickly Mince discovers a peculiar pie suspended above his head by the thinnest of threads. The pastry appears ordinary enough, filled with what seems to be standard mincemeat, yet something sinister lurks beneath its golden crust. As Mince goes about his daily routine, the pie follows him everywhere, swaying precariously with each movement he makes. The thread grows thinner by the hour. Mince realizes that any sudden motion, any careless step, might send the pie crashing down upon him with unknown consequences. He must navigate his world with extraordinary care while uncovering why this strange curse has befallen him. The weight of constant vigilance begins to transform how Mince sees everything around him. What started as a bizarre inconvenience becomes a test of patience, courage, and ingenuity as he searches for a way to escape his predicament without triggering the pie's descent.

Genres: satire, fantasy, magical-realism, surreal

Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical

Tropes: magical-realism, surreal

160 pages · Paperback · Dog & Bone

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