REVIEW: Open Up by Thomas Morris

Genre: Short Story Collection | Fiction | Literary Fiction

Release Date: Expected 17th August 2023

Publisher: Faber & Faber

"Just because an experience is common, it doesn't make it any less painful to go through."

A beautiful collection of five short stories that invoke an entire range of emotions in a dazzling, highly conceptual and striking way.

A young boy watches his first football match with his dad and tries to summon magic, a sentient Welsh seahorse tries to understand love and loss for the first time, a bitter, below average height office worker tries to fix his life, a conversation between lovers leads to them realising how their childhoods have shaped them, a young vampire gets their internet cut off by their mother — each of these stories paint a hauntingly evocative portrait of aspects of the human condition and the ways we uncover ourselves and learn more about who we are. Each is a snapshot of a life, a transient moment of self-exploration and discovery. Of course each story has its own merits, some longer than others and they have different styles of storytelling so you may not like every one but the themes and feelings woven through them make this an interesting, impactful read.

Thomas Morris has a distinct voice, with beautifully poetic prose that is layered with nuance and vivid imagery, with deep meaning and achingly authentic ideas that reach into the reader to create a genuine connection and recognition.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review. Please check content warnings before reading as this book contains subjects that may trigger or upset readers.

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