Aug 29, 2016
Eric Andrew Newman at Necessary Fiction has reviewed Matt Tompkins’s Souvenirs and Other Stories (Conium Press, 2016).
He notes “In his book Souvenirs and Other Stories, Matt Tompkins is able to bring magic to the mundane . . . ” and he says the stories “all pack a narrative punch.” The reviewer goes on to compare Matt’s style to that of George Saunders and Manuel Gonzales.
Eric closes the review by saying “While every narrative in Souvenirs and Other Stories seems fairly simple on the surface, they ultimately have multiple layers and grapple with more complex issues than those seen at first glance. Not only do the stories wrestle with loss, but also companionship, family, reality, and sanity. Each of the stories deals with the kernel of a bigger issue, but never in a heavy-handed and always in an entertaining way.” Read the full review at Necessary Fiction‘s website.
Aug 16, 2016
Melissa Reddish’s novella, Girl & Flame, has been reviewed by Sabotage Reviews.
The reviewer, Daisy English, says the novella has a “sharp, decisive yet incredibly intimate language, adding a personal tone.” She goes on to say “In Girl & Flame Reddish successfully brings an inferno to life. A daunting but dazzling blend of harsh reality and an eerie fantasy.” Read the full review here.
Aug 4, 2016
NewPages has a new review posted of Souvenirs and Other Stories, by Matt Tompkins.
The reviewer, Katy Haas, spends much of her review talking about character development. She notes the plain and calm demeanor of Matt’s narrators as they grapple with the surreal, as if each is hoping “to just make it through the life they’re given.” Katy closes her review by saying “In Souvenirs & Other Stories, Tompkins shoves the door wide open and welcomes the surreal into reality. With characters and situations that are relatable despite their oddities, readers are sure to connect with this pocket-sized collection of flash souvenirs.” We couldn’t agree more!
Take a look at the entire review here, and purchase your own copy of Souvenirs here.
Jun 25, 2016
Niche Magazine‘s founder and managing editor, Katya Cummins, recently interviewed Matt Tompkins about his new book, Souvenirs and Other Stories.
Katya begins with a brief review of Matt’s collection, partially focusing on how Matt is able to imbue absurd situations with authentic and relatable emotional resonance. After this brief review and overview, the interview begins with a discussion of Matt’s love for writing, his take on storytelling mechanics and humor, advice for new authors, and more. Read the entire interview here.
Jun 18, 2016
Our latest issue has been reviewed at NewPages. The reviewer, Kirsten McIlvenna, raves “The Conium Review boasts a radiant collection of imaginative and intriguing stories that surprise, consume, and enchant the reader.” Read the full review here.