BOOK REVIEW: GROWING THINGS BY PAUL TREMBLAY

I have pondered over this book for a little while after reading it. I was torn between several thoughts – is it a work of brilliance and I’m just missing the point? Is it, as a few have since commented, apparently unfinished? Or is it named ‘Growing Things’ for a reason? I am leaning towards the latter.

I felt like the stories were all unfinished in some way, it was as if they were just getting going or they were ending abruptly. After careful thought I am leaning towards the idea that they are unfinished, but for a reason. ‘Growing Things’, in the terms of our unlimited imagination.
The premise of beginning stories, feeding our imaginations with the seeds of horror. Whether this is the point or not, this is what I have taken from it. The author plants an idea, nurtures it to the point of blossoming and then done… leaving us wondering. Inventing ideas of how the story continues or culminates.

The writing is articulate, inventive and full of life. The style interesting. My first thought I’m ashamed to say was that this felt like a collection of ideas just thrown together. This was my reasoning for taking my time. I knew for such an established author that this would not be the case. And careful consideration I came to believe that there was more than meets the eye.

I’m not going to mention any of the stories, I don’t want to give anything away or take away from anyone’s reading experience. I will say, if you want to stoke the fires of your imagination or look for some inspiration, then look no further, Growing Things is the book for you.

I will say though, that first story in the book, really stuck with me. Even now I keep thinking about it, wondering what happened. For a writer, this is what you want, stories to stick with the reader, to linger at the back of their consciousness. You want them to think of you, think of your work and be keen to get the next instalment. I think the author has done a wonderful job, he has certainly peaked my interest.
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I may be totally wrong, as always, reading is very subjective. It’s personal to the reader, a special relationship that the author has with each individual reader. This is neither a good review or a bad review. This is just my thoughts on a collection of short tales. One I need to revisit as I imagine I will get so much more from it the second time around.
 
 

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