Fruit Rot

by James R. Gapinski

In this modern fable, a comic book writer and his artsy partner discover a magical tree in their backyard, able to cure any ailment with a single bite—but when the fruit rots, it reveals darker properties. As they begin selling the fruit, the couple is catapulted from near-poverty to a world with limitless economic mobility. Fruit Rot explores family, longing, greed, and the perils of late-stage capitalism through the meteoric rise of this couple’s surreal fruit empire.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy

34 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2020

About the author

James R. Gapinski (they/them) is the author of The Museum of Future Mistakes (BOA Editions, 2025), winner of the BOA Short Fiction Prize. They are also the author of Edge of the Known Bus Line (Etchings Press; University of Indianapolis, 2018) and three chapbooks. Their short fiction has previously appeared in Heavy Feather Review, Monkeybicycle, SmokeLong Quarterly, Variant Lit, and other publications. James is managing editor of Conium Press, director of Portland Community College's TRIO SSS program, and an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University's MFA program.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won a copy via a LIbrarything Giveaway.

Fruit Rot is a chapbook, which means that it is a short story published in book/booklet form. And honesty, it is one of those short stories that impresses you at the end. This makes it hard to review because you don’t want to the ruin the ending that at the very least will make you go “oh, snap”.

Gapinski’s modern fable/fairy tale concerns a couple who like most of today are struggling to make ends meet. Then, they get a present, but like most things it may also be a curse.

It would be a fair criticism to say that at points in the short story, there is too much telling. Yet, like all good fairy tales, there is a strong element of truth and reality in the choices the main characters make as well as their reactions. You could, in fact, see this happening.

As a plus, the central character is a comic book artist, and there wonderful references to comics and the process of creating art.

“Fruit Rot” is a strong contender for one of the best short stories of the year.

[Samantha Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to review it without giving away the plot, but it’s like a story in a story with characters so real I swear I know them and fantastic images you won’t forget. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.

[Ricky Ginsburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about a mysterious fruit that either heals or kills. Thirty pages, a novella, that I read in less than thirty minutes.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Gapinski’s Fruit Rot is a fast paced, creative, twisty, and ultimately dark read. I’m grateful to have won a copy of this chapbook in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Maxie Froelicher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway, thank you so much!

I feel like this was building up to something, but the last page fell flat. It sounded like the woman trying to get the fruit was related to the narrator and was going to retroactively kill him by eating the fruit, but the last paragraph was? Weird. I might have missed something, but it seems like it all suddenly got figurative. Which I think was supposed to be the idea? But I don’t know. It was weird.

Edit: maybe it’s supposed to show her as a different kind of villain, but I shouldn’t have to learn that from the blurbs on the back of the book

Read for the Clear Your Shit Readathon prompt: Shortest Book on your TBR

[Arden · Rating 4 out of 5]

”We’re happy. I didn’t used to be happy, and there’s something about being happy that makes you less inclined to care about the shittiness of everybody else’s lives.”

A couple awaken one morning to discover a tree growing in their yard. A tree that bears miraculous, golden fruit. But soon, the fruit begins to turn black…

Strange and compelling, Fruit Rot is a modern fable that concisely explores (and satirizes) the lengths we will go for our own happiness.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fruit Rot is fast paced and kept me entertained... but the ending was certainly no eucatastrophe.

[Travis Works · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very typical self-published book. The "twist" ending was no surprise, it was apparent by only a few pages in - like re-watching a Twilight Zone episode you have already seen.
The most apparent thing though is that the book is loaded with references to mainstream comic books. It honestly feels like the main point of the story was for the author to show off their knowledge. The story is written in such a way that the references should be important, but instead they just feel like a "look how much I know!" by the author, and could be completely omitted without changing the plot at all.
Most of them feel forced - saying something is "green like the Hulk" would be forced enough, but instead it is the green from "the Incredible Hulk #2 cover". Some of them would not even be understandable to someone who doesn't have the encyclopedic knowledge of comics which the author is so desperate to show off. In a situation where making a reference to Batman would already feel forced, why take three times as long to say it in a way that only someone who knows a particular storyline would understand - especially without even saying which one it is, just "Frank Miller's magnum opus"?
Two stars instead of one because at least it is short.

[Teo Warden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fruit Rot

By, James R. Gapinski

Physical Book - Paperback Chapbook

Pages - 24

Obtained: Goodreads Giveaway and asked for an Honest Review

As this is a very short book being only twenty-four pages I'm going to do my best not to reveal any spoilers or at the very least very few. The story follows a couple as they are trying to just survive in life. This short story sucked me into it  as if I were the main character. I don't know how one could make this story longer and more in depth, but if there was ever a longer story with a similar premise or remake that is a lot longer I feel I would very much enjoy having that. This type of quick short story reminds me of some of the works of Edgar Allan Poe or other fables in the way that it sucks you in and tells you a story without being overly long.


In my opinion even though this is a incredibly quick read, it will entertain you and then challenge you by making you question who is the real villain.


I give this read 4 Fruits out of 5.

Until next time,

-Teo

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this Chapbook through a Goodreads giveaway.

It was really awesome. I’d love to read more like this. Fruit Rot is a modern day dark twilight zone sort of story (I know that’s a mouthful 😊).

The story had a Black Mirror vibe to it. It could totally make a cool Black Mirror episode.

I really liked that the story got right to the point and I was immediately interested in how it would unfold.

The only “negative” thing I have to say (and it’s not actually negative) is that I wanted more! That’s not to say it didn’t end well, because it did. I just really enjoyed it so was sad when it ended. Why oh why did it have to be a short story!?

Would love to read more by this author.

[Ives Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I've mentioned in my review of "Bizarre" by Sarah Osborn, short stories present a challenge in which the writer has to work hard to develop a story with so little space, and a lot of short people fall flat. Fruit Rot is one of those stories that fall flat.

With an interesting premise that was executed poorly, Fruit Rot has a plot that should have been fleshed out more, and it would have been so if the author wrote a longer story, particularly one with a little less comic book references. Readers don't even receive an explanation for why the fruit works the way it does, and why it essentially self-destructs. The writing style also made it hard to stay interesting, as it was curt without being actually concise, and the descriptives were so bland that the story wasn't engaging.

[Anneliese Grassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you woke up to find a fruit tree in your front yard that wasn't there the day before and when you ate the fruit something fantastic happened to change your life for the better? But that second bite...

This was quite an entertaining quirky little book that has you wondering what will happen next the entire time, making for a very, very quick and easy read with an ending that you never see coming.

I really can't say too much about this book without giving it away so I would say just read it to find out for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a magical tree were to appear in your front yard that was not there before would you do the right thing?

James R. Gapinski's book Fruit Rot is a fast pace, creative, and dark tale about morals and choices. When a magical golden apple tree appears in a couples yard they discover that when someone takes a bite it will greatly change their lives for the better, yet when someone takes a second bite the unthinkable happens. This book kept me wondering what was going to happen next and since it is a small book it was no trouble reading through in one sitting. I quite enjoyed this book and wondered what I would have done in their shoes.

[RiversideReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fruit Rot is a very compelling book, a modern fable about morals and choices. When I finished it, I read it again. It's a small book, every word counts and I wanted to see if I had missed anything. I tried not to judge the main characters harshly and wondered what I would do in their place. James R. Gapinski is a very imaginative author and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to get their brain tweaked for a little while or perhaps longer.

[Megan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
Fruit Rot is a 24 page short story. A quick read and interesting. I can't say much without giving the story away
So in the beginning you have 2 creative people with health issues and no money. Next thing you know this mysterious tree pops up in their yard. This tree can do really amazing or really terrible things.  The ending was a surprise and it left me wanting more.

[Pj Gaumond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and then re-read this short book. I will re-read it again. It's an amazing journey through what is good and right and what is just plain evil. Can a thing be both? Read this book, think about it and then repeat!!!! This is the most thought provoking book that I have read in a long time. Thank you James R. Gapinski, Etchings Press and Goodreads.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mouth is still hanging open from when I finished the chapbook, closed it, set it down, picked up my phone, opened Goodreads, and started typing. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry but I think I did both? I will read anything this man writes. Anything at all.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fruit Rot is an intriguing short story that leaves the reader curious and with lots to think about. I really enjoyed the storytelling from the narrator, and the references to various comic books was a fun addition.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator and his wife discover a fruit tree in their yard with amazing properties. It can heal illnesses and injuries. They are in need of money so they begin to sell the fruit. But will the strange fruit improve their lives or corrupt them?

[Minh Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a giveaway. Although it was a quick read, the book made me think deeply about what I would do if presented with the same magical tree. It is a great short story with a great message!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short story. Well-written and very creative .

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark tale was a true delight.

[Marshal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway

A very enjoyable, fast paced, and odd read. Author put a little dash of everything and came up with something different than anything else.

[M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks Goodreads for the copy, this one was strange and a little more than weird but the underlining story and idea was what I enjoyed. Also there were some very relatable thoughts

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked everything about this book... except how short it was. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Christine Sciortino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely didn't expect this! Author even signed my copy 🙂 Out of my norm so I can actually say I really enjoyed this

[Kevin Arey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a quick read and packs quite a bit in the 24 pages. A little heavy on comic book stuff and didn't really understand the ending. However, all in all, not bad.

[Michelle Pulignani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this Chapbook through a Goodreads giveaway. It's a very short (24 pages), but very dark tale.

[Heatherterrybell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea and I wish it were longer!