Title: Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl
Author: Philip Gaber
Publisher: Philip Gaber
ASIN: 978-0615726489
Pages: 176
Genre: Psychological Fiction
Reviewed by: John Murray, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
“Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl” is a difficult work to describe. At its most basic, it is a collection of poetry and vignettes. Often the prose sections read more like lyrical poetry and the poetry reads like miniscule prose. Each story finds either the unnamed narrator or a new character, possibly a variation on the main character, adrift in society. Each attempts to find somewhere to belong, a reason for existing, or just something in which to believe. The various characters all seek to connect in some meaningful way, and either stop caring or fail miserably. Stories range from weird to literary and feature unemployed people, drunken dwarves, eager actresses, struggling poets, and radio show psychologists.
While the semi-synopsis makes this work sound depressing, Gaber manages to imbue a deep subtext of hope and wonder throughout the work. The end result is fantastically edgy and disturbingly hopeful. Each section acts like a violently stark snapshot of reality. The short nature of each section lends the work a page-turner quality, one where the reader can’t help but read one more page before suddenly reaching the end. “Epic Sloth” becomes like a fever dream glistening with insights, weighted down by regrets, but buoyed up by an underlying brightness and vibrant urgency. This is a unique work that can best be thought of as an experience rather than a collection of prose and poetry. Readers will find something to resonate with due to the sheer variety of stories present in this collection. It is nearly impossible to single out a section as they are influenced by others in the book and work best when read together.
While quick, there is a depth in this work. The core theme of the work seems to be finding individual meaning in a chaotic and uncaring world. This theme is present in each section and works to connect the seemingly disparate pieces. Each section acts like a framework to bolster and support the section before and after. The writing shifts from flowy to stark and back again without a hitch. “Epic Sloth” demands re-reading and interpretation, but is ultimately accessible and inviting. Despite some minor spelling and formatting hiccups, “Epic Sloth” is a must read work that turns readers into active participants in a compelling conversation about our place in the world.
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