Short Story Sunday: Still Born by The Behrg
Still Born
Author: The Behrg
Published: October 13, 2014
38 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 11, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Short Story Description:
A grieving couple coping with the unimaginable loss of their child being stillborn discover a disturbing anomaly. They can hear their deceased daughter through a baby monitor.
But is it really their daughter they are listening to?
And if so, who are the other voices coming through on the monitor?
As this couple is about to discover, not all second chances are meant to be taken.
Jessica’s Review:
**I must first say anyone who has experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or lost an infant child should not read this short story.**
This short story is true psychological horror as it would be every parent’s worst nightmare. Sam and Joel’s heartache over their loss feels 100% real. Then they start hearing things through the baby monitor they don’t need anymore. This includes a crying baby. Thus begins a descent into despair, confusion, and more.
This one is free on Amazon for those in the USA if you wish to pick it up (99p in the UK).
Short Story Sunday: One Star by The Behrg
Author: The Behrg
Published: July 20, 2019
17 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 23 and July 28, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Every action has a consequence. But when Li posts a one-star review of a novel on her book blog, the results are far more frightening than she could ever have imagined. Not every story was meant to have a happy ending.
Jessica’s Review:
This short story packs quite the punch in its short 17 pages! It is also currently free on Amazon and serves as a thank you from the author The Behrg to book bloggers and book reviewers. I know my blog is not a huge one, but my reviews get seen and what happens if you don’t like a book? What if the author sees your lower starred review even though you did not tag them on social media? What if they take your review the wrong way or they take it personally? In our world where we are all connected through various social media, you really can’t get away from seeing something directed towards you. This is what Li discovers with her one star review of an author’s latest novel.
This is definitely a horror story that goes in an unexpected direction. I did enjoy this short story and it is definitely not a one star review! I have no fear of the author’s reaction to my review of his short story.
This short story that I read within 30 minutes; I have read it twice now. It is a part of The Behrg’s upcoming short story collection The Passengers You Cannot See. I enjoy short stories and have enjoyed One Star and also Happiness is a Commodity (my review is here) so I am looking forward to this upcoming collection. I even downloaded Stillborn, another of The Behrg’s short stories to read as it was free on Amazon. That one looks to tackle a difficult subject that I hope to read relatively soon.
One Star is recommended, and if you are a book blogger/ book reviewer, I say definitely read it!!
Purchase Links: **Remember it is currently FREE!**
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Happiness is a Commodity
Author: The Behrg
108 pages in Kindle
Published: December 1, 2016
Dates Read: 12/02-12/04/2016
My Rating: 4 stars
Book Summary from Amazon:
In the future, Happiness can no longer be achieved through natural means, but must be purchased from the government for brief 20-minute increments.
And the price is going up.
One man documents his experience as he uncovers a conspiracy by the governing elite. Those who are ALWAYS happy. But he will soon discover that the cost of real Happiness may be far worse than living perpetually in the dark.
Told through blog-post entries, this non-traditional novella explores a world where darkness and misery are the norm. An allegory for living with depression, this story will open your eyes to the millions lost in darkness around you, and may prepare you for a future that is all too likely to come.
My Review:
Happiness is a Commodity deals with a topic that many won’t write about: Depression. At a short 108 pages, Happiness is a Commodity is very intense, deals with heavy content, and it makes you think. Happiness is a Commodity is written as a blog and you feel yourself drawn into those posts. I enjoyed the title of the blog: The Modern Ramblings of a “Jerry-atric”.
People are no longer able to be happy anymore unless they use their ‘punch card’ and then they can be happy for a short 20 minutes. People can save their ‘punches’ for one big event or use them little by little. Suddenly, the punch cards stop working. What’s happening to cause this? Is happiness ending for everyone or is it some government conspiracy?
One day at work Jerry is invited to a work party for upper management… But he isn’t upper management. An invitation is also in his home when he arrives. Even though he has zero desire to go to the party, he decides to attend. What happens to Jerry at that party changes everything for him and causes a series of events that lasts for the rest of the novella.
I can’t say much more except to read Happiness is a Commodity! Also read “A Note From the Author” and “About the Author” after you finish the novella.
I will end with this: What is Happiness? It can be many things and can change daily. For me today (Sunday December 4th), Happiness is:
- my cats
- freedom
- a relaxing, rainy day
Tomorrow (which will be Monday, December 5th- the day this review is posted) Happiness will be different for me. I know one thing it will be at least: Watching The Walking Dead with my husband on our Monday night date night!
What is happiness for you?
I received a copy of Happiness is a Commodity from The Behrg.
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