Abstract

This collection of eight stories was written between 2012-2015. The stories explore general themes of identity, love, and anxiety in the face of these. The fictional characters in these stories are concerned with themselves mostly and not the state of the world, rather their place within the world. It can be said that the problems encountered in these stories are First World problems. This is why the characters are so self-absorbed. There is nothing more obvious and natural than First World self-absorption. Facebook is symbolic of First World self-absorption. Writings generally reflect the experiences and concerns of their authors. If not, they usually engage in Othering and are off-putting. Two of the eight stories are absurdist and expressions of the author's attempt to escape himself. These are the two stories that don't make any sense. The collection could very well be called "an exercise in solipsism."
The only values these stories may have are bits of humour and honesty. If these things are appealing to the reader, the reader should read these stories. The stories involve characters that are honest with themselves, or, if they are not, the author is honest with the reader about the characters. They might be fun ways to examine and connect to a community outside one's self and to look at how we deceive ourselves and present semblances to the world.