Title: Divine in Essence
Author: Yarrow Paisley
Publisher: Whiskey Tit
ISBN: 978-1-952600-55-5
Genre: Short Stories
Pages: 216
Reviewed by: Margie Przybylski
Pacific Book Review
Yarrow Paisley’s Divine in Essence is a collection of short stories which pulls readers into a world both as odd as it is profound. From the outset, Paisley urges readers to “abandon” themselves, a rare and intriguing invitation. This call sets the stage for the surreal experience to come, prompting readers to let go of preconceived notions and embrace the unknown. In doing so, Paisley ignites a sense of curiosity, challenging readers to consider the constructs of reality and wonder: what if we released our tight grip on normalcy?
Paisley’s stories each carry a unique voice but are united in their intent to probe the edges of everyday life. Grounded in realistic settings and relatable characters, each tale contains an element of the “divine” that blurs the boundaries between the mundane and the supernatural. The characters often start out as seemingly ordinary individuals, but as each story unfolds, it becomes clear they are teetering on the edge of the fantastical. Paisley skillfully interlaces threads of fantasy with reality, crafting stories that feel both familiar and unsettling. The collection continually prompts the reader to reexamine what they consider normal, effectively destabilizing their sense of the ordinary with each turn of the page.
Reading Divine in Essence is a visceral experience. Paisley’s tales grip the reader, stripping away any sense of predictability. These stories exude a delicious strangeness that can feel almost forbidden, leaving readers with a thrilling sense of transformation by the book’s end. It’s as though Paisley’s intent is to have readers emerge slightly altered, with a fresh, more curious outlook on life. This boundary-pushing quality gives the collection a dynamic energy, immersing readers so fully in its oddities that they may feel fundamentally changed after finishing it.
Each story in Paisley’s collection is crafted with precision and can stand alone, offering something to even those who typically prefer straightforward, realistic narratives. Told from varying perspectives and employing diverse narrative voices, Divine in Essence provides an adventurous read that is well worth the journey. The book beckons like a wild creature, ready to be explored by a reader who dares to venture into the unknown.
Even the book’s structure reflects its eccentric spirit. Divided into three sections – “Divine,” “In,” and “Essence”—each contains a trio of stories that gradually build on the themes of the collection. The finale, “The Life of Cherry,” is a surprise, unfolding as a standalone section with multiple interconnected tales, each one stranger than the last. This sequence of stories defies expectations, offering an unconventional yet immersive conclusion that leaves an indelible impression.
Divine in Essence is decidedly an adult read, a rare escape from the grind of daily routines and societal expectations. It offers a chance to break free from the familiar confines of work, errands, and responsibilities. As I read, I found myself grinning in awe, much like the Cheshire Cat, fully engaged yet utterly bewildered. Each story in this collection evokes a sense of wonder and wildness, and by the end, readers are left savoring the bizarre, the divine, and the beautifully unsettling. Divine in Essence is a refreshing read that reminds us to embrace life’s strangeness – and to question, just a bit, the very nature of reality.
