A Primer to Gemma Files Written by Gemma Files, edited by Eric J. Guignard
Michael Arnzen (Contributor), Michelle Prebich (Illustrator)
I am long overdue for reading Gemma Files. I have enjoyed much of her commentary on movies, and always wanted to check out her work. Sadly, I have had a copy of Experimental Film on my TBR for almost two years, I am going to have to push it up soon. That said, I am glad that I got my introduction in this way. This is the intention of this series, which has provided Primers for authors as different as Kaaron Warren and Han Song.
This is the 7th book in the “Exploring Dark Short Fiction” series and I have reviewed all of them. This is a truly underrated series that deserves more attention than it is getting. The format is simple but perfect.
• Six short stories, most are reprints, best of material and most of the series has at least one written exclusively for this book, sometimes more. Also Files wrote an excellent essay herself.
• Author interview done by series editor and publisher Eric J. Guignard. Eric brings an understanding of the short form that makes these interviews very educational.
• Biography and bibliography (I don’t really look at but I think it needs to there)
• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (Who I learned in the press release was the professor of the year, Seton Hill University once). This commentary comes in the form of short notes on each story, plus a longer form essay about why each author “matters.”
Gemma Files is a writer of sharp prose, you can’t skim pages because the details are important and there are few wasted words. She attacks high concept stories with daring prose. This stories have a gravitas of storyteller that is not worried about appealing to everyone. This is horror fiction of a literary leaning toward dark art. It is entertaining, but her style feels like it is more art than entertainment.
A highlight of this collection is the essay on found footage story telling. Of great interest to me because it is a narrative device I am not a fan of. I thought it was not convincing to as an argument for the subgenre, but it explained many of the strengths of the form. I admit I tend to focus on what I see are weaknesses so I enjoyed that.
Probably the strongest story for me was Sown from Salt, the western themed story that had an excellent opening paragraph. Venio was a weird one that hooks you and closes in on the reader like a knot being pulled taunt. It is a very tight story. Reader not familiar with the King In Yellow Mythos might find Slick Bone and Soft Black Stars to be the weirdest ride in the book, and the prose is delicious and fun.
The interview was great and really solidified for me that I want to read more Gemma Files. There is a story involving an infamous Canadian character actor that made me laugh and I will now think of when I see him.
Once again this series delivers. 7/7 incredible books in this series.
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