Divine in Essence, by Yarrow Paisley, is a surreal and endlessly imaginative collection of short stories. The book is a wild ride, blending the bizarre with the artistic in a way that’s both entertaining and unsettling. It’s a mix of the otherworldly and the unnerving, constantly pushing boundaries and keeping the reader off-balance with its strange, dreamlike narratives.

Paisley’s writing is so unconventional that condensing these incredible short stories into a brief description feels almost impossible. Take The Great Event, a fresh twist on a ghost story involving a young girl, Helen, and some haunted pipes. Or I in The Eye, where a boy finds himself trapped inside his stepmother’s glass eye while a homunculus takes his place. Then there’s Rocking Horse Traffic, a fever dream about a boy undergoing surgery, blending reality and a strange world filled with rocking horses. Each tale feels like it’s pulled from a feverish imagination, and they demand to be experienced firsthand.

What stands out in this collection is the way each story mixes the supernatural with ordinary horrors. The familiar becomes strange, as Paisley twists traditional horror elements into something more abstract and mind-bending. His writing style is rich, poetic, and sometimes so abstract that you’re left wondering what’s real and what’s imagined. The stories have a dreamlike quality that keeps readers guessing, making the experience immersive and often disorienting in the best way. Paisley’s prose is dense and lyrical, with themes revolving around identity, mortality, and the essence of existence. His characters are often trapped, whether physically or psychologically, and the way he plays with language blurs the line between fantasy and reality. It’s an unsettling but engrossing experience, pulling you deeper into his strange worlds.

This collection is unlike anything I’ve read before. While I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, it’s not for everyone. Paisley’s writing works best in small doses—I feel that some might find it somewhat difficult to follow. This isn’t an easy read, and the stories are definitely not for those who prefer straightforward narratives. However, for fans of surreal horror, it’s a rewarding challenge. Each story stands out in its own right, and there’s not a weak one in the bunch. It’s best enjoyed story by story, allowing time to digest each one’s unique oddities. Divine in Essence is perfect for readers who crave something deeply strange and entirely original.

Pages: 216 | ISBN : 978-1952600555