Jacques Sardas’ Taking Flight is a collection brimming with wild and adventurous short stories, each populated by a lively cast of characters who somehow charm and shock in equal measure. Themes of war, immigration, and discrimination run deep, and yet Sardas skillfully wraps these heavy subjects in a cloak of humor and absurdity. The stories bring us into extreme and often ridiculous scenarios that find surprisingly mundane yet somehow satisfying resolutions. The result is a rollercoaster of emotions, where laughter and unease often collide.

Sardas’ imagination knows no bounds. The characters are outrageous, and the situations they land in are beyond belief. Take “The Store in Alexandria,” where a son-in-law is held at gunpoint by would-be buyers. Just when you think the story is heading toward disaster, it twists in the most ordinary way. Absurdity and humor make it work, ending the story on a strangely uplifting note. It’s quirky, it’s unpredictable, and it kept me thoroughly entertained.

In the “Three Old Buddies” the narrative twists into something both sobering and humorous as one friend delivers a grim monologue about natural disasters and tragedies. Sardas gives the story a blend of dark realism and playful absurdity and demonstrates a real knack for moments like these, where serious themes clash with unexpected, light-hearted resolutions. It’s both jarring and entertaining.

“The Ring,” features Ruby and Angel, two children caught up in a dangerous world involving drug dealers and exploitation. The light, almost whimsical tone contrasts sharply with the gravity of the situation, and while the perspective of young, naive characters softens the impact, I do feel Ruby’s tragic experiences are wrapped up with a nonchalance that might some readers might question. Yet, it’s undeniable that Sardas uses this tension to point out how easily innocence gets corrupted when left unprotected.

Taking Flight is a compelling collection with flashes of brilliance. The themes of survival, resilience, and human connection thread through stories that oscillate between humor and tragedy. For readers who appreciate short stories with quirky, unpredictable narratives, this book delivers plenty of entertainment. Sardas writes with an undeniable passion, and if you’re in the mood for tales that keep you guessing, this collection is worth exploring.

Pages: 223 | ASIN : B0D97HYCFZ