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Essence Folly: Twelve Short Stories that Explore the Absurdity of Existence

Jackson Hayes

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In a world that often feels chaotic and senseless, it can be difficult to find meaning or purpose. But what if we embraced the absurdity of our existence and found humor in the unexpected?

That's the premise of Essence Folly: Twelve Short Stories, a new collection by emerging author Emily Carter. Carter's stories explore the bizarre, the surreal, and the downright ridiculous, all while offering a wry commentary on the human condition.

Essence & Folly: Twelve Short Stories

by Heidi Wong

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	481 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	108 pages

In the title story, a young woman named Alice finds herself trapped in a never-ending loop of surreal events. She encounters a talking cat, a disappearing bicycle, and a group of dancing giraffes. As Alice tries to make sense of her increasingly bizarre surroundings, she begins to question the very nature of reality.

In another story, a man named John wakes up one morning to find that he has been transformed into a giant chicken. At first, John is horrified, but he soon realizes that his new form comes with some unexpected advantages. He can fly, he can lay eggs, and he can even talk to other chickens.

Carter's stories are not simply exercises in absurdity. They also offer a sharp critique of the human condition. In "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Talking," a man named Dave finds himself cursed with an uncontrollable urge to speak. He talks to strangers, he talks to animals, and he even talks to himself. Dave's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting our words get the better of us.

In "The Woman Who Loved Too Much," a woman named Mary embarks on a series of disastrous relationships. She falls for a man who turns out to be a con artist, a man who is emotionally abusive, and a man who is simply not interested in her. Mary's story is a heartbreaking reminder of the pain that love can bring.

But even in her darkest stories, Carter never loses her sense of humor. In "The Man Who Ate His Own Shoe," a man named Bob decides to eat his shoe after losing a bet. Bob's story is both absurd and hilarious, and it serves as a reminder that even in the most difficult of times, we can always find something to laugh about.

Essence Folly is a unique and unforgettable collection of short stories that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Carter's stories are thought-provoking, funny, and heartbreaking, and they offer a fresh perspective on the human condition.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think, then Essence Folly is the perfect read for you.

About the Author

Emily Carter is a rising star in the literary world. She has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, and her work has been praised by critics and readers alike.

Carter holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she is working on her first novel.