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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Book of Outcasts by Matt Nagin presents a collection of stories that all read independently but share a creative leitmotif of testing the boundaries of people in extreme, often horrifying, realities. In A Triumph of Humanity, a male patient undergoes invasive medical care while other patients and staff move through the hospital environment, culminating in a dramatic physiological episode. Nagin Vs. Nagin recounts Jamie’s complicated personal and professional conflict with Nagin, involving disputed authorship, public confrontations, and legal and media outcomes, ultimately leading to Jamie’s relocation and continued creative work. Strange Week on the Côte d’Azur follows a narrator managing the Nice Film Festival who becomes entangled in acts of violence, dealing with coercion, travel incidents, and festival obligations before making an absolutely shocking discovery.
Matt Nagin’s anthology The Book of Outcasts is a collection of speculative fiction stories that tap into ideas I have not come across before. Among these tales, Song of Doom stands out, following a father in prison as he recounts his life before and after a tragic event involving his daughter Mia. The story is intricate, examining his day-to-day routines, interactions with others, and inner thoughts, while showing how his past life in New Canaan shaped him. The recurring imagery of stale pudding and the oscillation between remorse and rationalization give the story a distinctive rhythm. Each story in the collection is imaginative and inventive, full of bold ideas and unexpected developments. The Book of Outcasts is a notable read that demonstrates Matt Nagin’s skill in creating memorable short fiction. Absolutely spectacular and very, very highly recommended.
