Sawn-off Tales David Gaffney Salt Publishing ISBN: 1-84471-282-6 Fiction, Anthology, Short Story Collection Reviewed by Eugen M. Bacon

Salt Publishing has produced a diminutive hard cover that completely absorbed me. If I assumed such wit, and had aptitude to hold it, perhaps I would go mad with it. David Gaffney’s writing is eloquent, the scenarios he paints utterly insane yet oh, so realistic.  “Darling, I’ll just get the eggs”-effortless, yet ruthlessly hilarious in context.

Every warped, individual tale is almost too minute to be whole. Cynic little anecdotes, each with a razor-sharp beginning, smooth as honey middle and a swift twist ending. From house-training dogs to intimacy in the john, from eccentricity at the superstore to Rentaghost wine tasting, each story is finely crafted to stand complete.

I grinned foolishly on the tram, sometimes collapsing in helpless mirth despite myself, despite curious, alarmed or mildly patronizing considerations of strangers around me, as the collection was tiny enough to carry like a pocket bible. Favorites include Intimate Zone, The Lost Language of Hairgrips, Last to Know, A Good System and New Best Friend.  David Gaffney is an evolution, a moment in time to be lavished with a literary eye, to be goggled with a mind broad and open enough to look and look anew. Each snippet disturbingly captures everyday life in superbly unique fashion. What a stunning collection. 

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