Cardboard Heroes, by JC Crumpton
Published by Liffey Press / Oghma Creative Media
I purchased this book directly from author JC Crumpton, after meeting him at a writing conference. Cardboard Heroes is a diverse collection of short stories and poems. There appears to be something for every taste inside the intriguing cover.
A common theme I found in the collection is the author’s ability to evoke emotion.
Much of the poetry is thought-provoking, mixing the familiar with metaphor and imagery. Like most poetry, a second, or even subsequent reading, reveals facets not immediately noticed.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite from the poems or the stories.
Many of the stories are set in present time or near-future, in a world seemingly not too different from our own at first glance. The Gray Market poses ethical questions very subtly, but unforgettably. Triple Osmosis Filtration System Like New utilizes irony to paint a lasting picture.
Field of Strong Men has a historical setting. It is familiar yet filled with disappointment and disillusionment.
In All the Water Held in One Hand, the author draws us into a fantasy world of magic and history.
I suspect I will return to this collection time after time, likely gleaning new treasures with each visit. As I mentioned, it’s hard to choose a favorite.
Pick up your copy here.