Another glowing review of Insanity By Increments!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Full Text: I don’t often read short stories as I prefer more character and plot development than short stories can offer. But sometimes a short story collection will catch my eye, like this one did. Who could resist that title?

There are a total of nine short stories in this collection. The whole book was only about 120 pages on my e-reader so each of the stories was quite short. However, this author uses every word to wonderful effect, with no fillers whatsoever. To me, these were more mood pieces rather than stories with a beginning and ending. Things aren’t always spelled out in black or white but rather are hinted at. The author expertly sets up a dark atmosphere for each story, with subtle psychological suspense running through them. I see that the author’s first book “Darkest Day” is a book of poetry and I can certainly see the heart of a poet in this short story collection.

The next time I see a short story book, I won’t be so quick to pass it by as I very much enjoyed reading these short bursts of literary prose. I read the book almost straight through but did have to stop after each story to contemplate it a bit before moving onto the next one. Highly recommended.

Link Text: Marjorie's World of Books

Link: http://marjorie.booklikes.com/post/1177262/dark-excellence

Review of Insanity By Increments by Mihir Shah of US Review of Books

"It's like there's this stranger deep inside of you, sharing space in your mind, whispering, sabotaging everything."

Insanity by Increments is a collection of nine short stories, each filled with progressively ascending tension; each walks the fine line between reason and the dark impulsive tendencies of the human mind.

While the novel takes the title of the final story, the stories prior are the build up. In the opening story, "Once Found, Once More Forsaken," the image of the dead swans in the forest thrusts the reader into a somber mood and ensures that there will be no fitting, happy end. "The Illusion of Progress," paints a grim, albeit real portrait of life: marriages fail, accidents happen, and even when one might think they've hit rock bottom, there's still further down to go.

Cabiling does an incredible job of using the setting to depict the ominous mood of his narrative. Examples include phrases like, "furniture would sit somberly like tombstones."

"Winter’s Eden," is the story that stands out. The phrase Eden plants the forbidden fruit idea into the audience's mind. Whether it's the tension between Amy and her Uncle Henry, or Henry's reluctant fulfillment of his obligations to his paraplegic wife, Leticia, this story pushes the envelope.

To have a collection that repeatedly trumps predictable behavior is refreshingly original. "Frailty" toys with the macabre and will certainly get a gasp from its readers as the story spirals into a darkening world.

Interestingly, sexual tension is almost ubiquitous. However, the story with the least is possibly the most depressing: "Omens of Winter." Set in Scuttlefield, Cabiling shines light on a painstaking life of toiling the farm and resigning one's self to a lifetime of despair.

Overall, the simple structure makes for an easy read. The content, at times, resembles a fusion of Poe and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Other times, it shatters the barriers of reason and lets readers dive into the horrific reality that is depression.

RECOMMENDED by the USR

The Second Press Release on PR.com

Alaric Al Necro Cabiling is happy to announce that his latest press release care of Dewar PR has also been published at PR.com

The press release can be searched via search tags "Al Necro" or "Insanity By Increments" under Press Releases, published by Alaric Cabiling Ltd.  The press release can be viewed by clicking the link below:

http://www.pr.com/press-release/619418

Interest in Insanity By Increments is building.  Alaric extends his thanks to Dewar PR, and everyone who has supported or contributed to the project.

Announcement

Midwest Book Review's Diane Donovan has posted her review of Insanity By Increments on her website under Recommended Reads.  Click on the link below:

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/may_15.htm#donovan

Check out Midwest Book Review's May Issue featuring Ms. Donovan's reviews below:

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/may_15.htm#donovan

Author News

Recommended Links to Alaric Cabiling's Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/InsanityByIncrements
https://twitter.com/AlaricCabiling
https://twitter.com/AlaricPCabiling
http://insanitybyincrements.blogspot.com/
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00LR2BKYU
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4122965.Alaric_Cabiling

Free copies of Insanity By Increments are available in exchange of a review.  Contact me at alaric dot cabiling at gmail dot com

Book Review of Maile Meloy's Both Ways Is The Only Way I Want It.

Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maile Meloy might just be the most gifted short story teller in this postmodern era. There's a great deal of confidence in her narrative tone and the work is accessible for casual readers to love. There are stories done in the typical Chekov-inspired moral dillemma plot showcasing marital infidelity and middle-age meandering. There are stories that put lonely characters along the crossroads of reaching out to someone they're a long shot at dating. The plots are interesting and the language is confidence inspiring. Sure, some reviews are quick to point that some readers lose interest within moments of some stories, but I find that this isn't nearly the case. She builds momentum in just a few easy lines and the book leaves you wanting for more at the end of each read. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Second Promo Video for Insanity By Increments Now Streaming!

 

Here is the second promo for Alaric Cabiling's collection of short stories, Insanity By Increments.  The e-book is currently available at Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and iTunes Bookstore.  A warm, friendly thank you to everyone I've worked with on this project.  I also want to thank everyone who has come out in support of my work.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGtTAftEthk