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Snapshots of the Apocalypse
In these dark, witty short stories, Katy Wimhurst creates off-kilter worlds which illuminate our own. Here, knitting might cancel Armageddon. A winged being yearns to be an archaeologist. Readers are sucked into a post-apocalyptic London where the different rains are named after former politicians. An enchanted garden grows in a rented flat. Magical realism meets dystopia, with a refreshing twist.
Extract: Ticket to Nowhere
“Destination?” asked the woman in the railway ticket office. She had pink blotchy skin and dark bags under her eyes.
“Nowhere,” I said.
“Single or return?”
“Can I get an open return for the next train?”
“Not during peak hours.”
I sighed. “Okay, single then.” I had no idea how long I would be in Nowhere, but had taken a few days off work, anyway.
“That’ll be £35.”
“For a one-way ticket to Nowhere? That’s a complete rip-off!”
“Take it or leave it,” the woman said flatly. “Nowhere’s the cheapest destination on offer. I can do Elsewhere for £44 or Somewhere for £52. We have a special offer to Everywhere for £99, which includes free vouchers for a Nirvana milk-shake and Armageddon hamburger.”
“I need a ticket to Nowhere.” I opened my purse and handed over the money. “When does the next train leave?”
“In five minutes from platform three.”
I took the ticket, picked up my suitcase, and followed the signs to platform three. Pacing resolutely, I was conscious of the click-click of my high heeled boots on the floor. It was dark outside apart from the dim lamps that lit the platform at intervals. A lonely half-moon was hovering high above, and I turned up the collar of my woollen overcoat against the chill of the night.
A train slid out of a tunnel, then steadied to a halt. I found a seat in a carriage with few passengers. The train chugged off without enthusiasm into the night, and peering out of the window, I could see nothing, only darkness ahead, darkness behind. I felt anxious to be heading to Nowhere, but I had to go there. I’d much have rather been at home, curled up on the sofa with a novel.
My mind flitted once more to the last encounter with Marcus seven months ago: him begging me for one more chance, me striding out angrily with a: “You promised me you’d quit the drugs, so go to hell.” I thought too of the message I’d got two days ago from a mutual acquaintance, saying he’d heard Marcus was in a ‘dangerously bad way’ and was desperate to speak to or see me. The chap hadn’t got Marcus’s address or phone number, but knew he was in Nowhere. The message, which still sent a sliver of fear down my spine, was the reason I was on this train.
Extract: Ticket to Nowhere
“Destination?” asked the woman in the railway ticket office. She had pink blotchy skin and dark bags under her eyes.
“Nowhere,” I said.
“Single or return?”
“Can I get an open return for the next train?”
“Not during peak hours.”
I sighed. “Okay, single then.” I had no idea how long I would be in Nowhere, but had taken a few days off work, anyway.
“That’ll be £35.”
“For a one-way ticket to Nowhere? That’s a complete rip-off!”
“Take it or leave it,” the woman said flatly. “Nowhere’s the cheapest destination on offer. I can do Elsewhere for £44 or Somewhere for £52. We have a special offer to Everywhere for £99, which includes free vouchers for a Nirvana milk-shake and Armageddon hamburger.”
“I need a ticket to Nowhere.” I opened my purse and handed over the money. “When does the next train leave?”
“In five minutes from platform three.”
I took the ticket, picked up my suitcase, and followed the signs to platform three. Pacing resolutely, I was conscious of the click-click of my high heeled boots on the floor. It was dark outside apart from the dim lamps that lit the platform at intervals. A lonely half-moon was hovering high above, and I turned up the collar of my woollen overcoat against the chill of the night.
A train slid out of a tunnel, then steadied to a halt. I found a seat in a carriage with few passengers. The train chugged off without enthusiasm into the night, and peering out of the window, I could see nothing, only darkness ahead, darkness behind. I felt anxious to be heading to Nowhere, but I had to go there. I’d much have rather been at home, curled up on the sofa with a novel.
My mind flitted once more to the last encounter with Marcus seven months ago: him begging me for one more chance, me striding out angrily with a: “You promised me you’d quit the drugs, so go to hell.” I thought too of the message I’d got two days ago from a mutual acquaintance, saying he’d heard Marcus was in a ‘dangerously bad way’ and was desperate to speak to or see me. The chap hadn’t got Marcus’s address or phone number, but knew he was in Nowhere. The message, which still sent a sliver of fear down my spine, was the reason I was on this train.
108 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2022
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2022
A pièce de résistance. Wimhurst's collection of short stories had me engrossed throughout. Main characters were primarily women doing their damndest to survive in an abysmal era. The book is full of comedic moments and whimsy. I cared about the characters because the author manages to render them so realistically. Contemporary issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, climate energency are taken to their extreme and likely consequences if we continue to follow the paths of capitalism and patriarchy. In a time where it feels as if we are teetering precariously on the edge of the end of the world, these stories are timely. I hope I also have a badass black pvc cape to don when the time comes. What we have here is such a delightful combination of wit, intelligence, compassion and imagination. I am in love.
July 22, 2022
A book of short stories about life after an undescribed apocalypse. There is some science fiction, some speculative fiction, some magical realism here. Some stories I liked, a fewer number not so much. None stood out but all were worth reading. The one I remember the best was about a woman who turned her whole house into a garden. I am separated from the book for a while, so I may add to my review when we reconnect.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars.
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars.
February 28, 2022
A wonderfully eclectic collection of short dystopian and surrealist fiction. Katy Wimhurst writes well with humour, pathos and a wry eye for the absurd, yet all within grasp of a potential and believable future.
However, any possible bleakness is offset by the realness of her characters and the environmental and social messages that thread through these stories. More please!
However, any possible bleakness is offset by the realness of her characters and the environmental and social messages that thread through these stories. More please!
July 1, 2022
This short story collection grapples elegantly with the fundamental questions of what it is to be human. These tales are told with wit and empathy that is too lacking in these times. I won't spoil any particular story but if Dystopian fiction with a shot of magic realism sounds interesting then this is the collection for you.
January 6, 2022
This collection of stories is wonderful! Written with great verve and imagination, punctuated with lovely touches of humour and tenderness, Wimhurst makes you really care about the lives of her characters. Set against a dystopian vision of the not very distant future, using magical realism to transform the here and now, the stories become urgent and relevant. Highly recommend.
December 26, 2021
These stories look into the world’s bleakness, but do so with a sense of humour and playful touch. The author’s vivid imagination creates off-beat visions: the magic of the garden of Eden in modern London, a flying refugee obsessed with archeology, a sensitive man who paints public works of (accidentally) contemporary art. Magical realist moments are plentiful: a storm deposits a sheep in High Street, huge fruit trees sprout in a flat, a winged human’s wings change colour when he is upset. Well crafted stories in clean prose and very easy to read.
December 31, 2024
Every one of the stories in here is an unexpected pleasure. I love it when someone can find a silver lining on even a metaphorical mushroom cloud.
June 30, 2022
Snapshots of the Apocalypse
These charming, dark, wryly humorous stories are highly recommended.
It is the apocalypse, but as human beings we can adjust to anything, right?“
In the first story Max, a kindly doctor, notes "even when things are utterly shit, I still find moments of strange Magic.”
Grounded in a sharp observation of the contemporary world, these nine dystopian tales of the near-future are full of loss, danger and strange magic.
The stories deal with people on the margins of society and are shot through with hope and humour.
In "Snapshots of the Apocalypse" the author has succeeded in creating a world that is immediately recognisable but playful and strange.
A good read!
These charming, dark, wryly humorous stories are highly recommended.
It is the apocalypse, but as human beings we can adjust to anything, right?“
In the first story Max, a kindly doctor, notes "even when things are utterly shit, I still find moments of strange Magic.”
Grounded in a sharp observation of the contemporary world, these nine dystopian tales of the near-future are full of loss, danger and strange magic.
The stories deal with people on the margins of society and are shot through with hope and humour.
In "Snapshots of the Apocalypse" the author has succeeded in creating a world that is immediately recognisable but playful and strange.
A good read!
January 24, 2023
I really enjoyed these post-apocalyptic stories. Wimhurst employs excellent, in-depth world building unique to each story and executes spectacularly in each short space. The stories are disturbingly reminiscent of today, and it's not a huge leap to see how many of these scenarios could plausibly be in our future. Some of the characters and civilizations will live in my head for a long time to come; my favorite is Knitting to Oblivion. The only reason I haven't rated this book 5 stars is that a couple of the early stories, to me, had unsatisfying endings, but as a whole the book is wonderful and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
June 6, 2024
If I had to categorise Katy Wimhurst's collection of short stories, I'd put it on a special dystopian, magical realism, near-futuristic, darkly funny shelf of its own. These are insightful yet quirky, well-crafted short stories that both entertain and make you think (about how the author came up with the ideas as well as the worlds she describes!) Frantic knitting as the town is crumbling, recreating Eden in a city flat, a starfish controversy...The mesh of ordinary and extraordinary is wonderfully balanced. If you're not quite sure about 'off-beat' short stories, give these a go. You're in safe hands
November 3, 2024
Like many short story collections, there is a variety of quality throughout the collection. Some read like standard YA, but some had some great storyline and concepts, and left me wanting more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
A fun collection of stories, some landing harder than others. Haunted by Paradise was my favourite. I'd love to see more of some of the worlds depicted here, Wimhurst has a talent for worldbuilding.
February 22, 2022
Reading this book was a real treat. The twisting of worlds, magical imagery, off-beat storytelling, the warnings of our potential future, one which was both dark and hopeful at the same time, with a host of well thought out characters still living their every day lives in extraordinary situations.
I read a story a day which I would certainly recommend as it allows opportunity for the story to simmer for further reflection which then builds on the next. Standouts for me were the furious knitters and the sleepy artist, although all stories have their own kind of wonderful.
Look forward to more of Katy's work and immersing myself in these incredible worlds.
I read a story a day which I would certainly recommend as it allows opportunity for the story to simmer for further reflection which then builds on the next. Standouts for me were the furious knitters and the sleepy artist, although all stories have their own kind of wonderful.
Look forward to more of Katy's work and immersing myself in these incredible worlds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews