Get Me Out of This Shimmering Oasis by Lucy Leitner
OMG this place is amazing. I can feel all the remnants of my leaky gut clearing right up. A few more days and I may even be able to tolerate dairy again. These innovative treatments are truly elevating my wellness. They are literally scaring me to death, but doing good for yourself never feels good, right? Right?
United StatesGood Vibes, Only!
Transgressive fiction is a genre of literature which focuses on characters who feel confined by the norms and expectations of society and who break free of those confines in unusual or illicit ways. Quiet Horror-Subtly written horror that uses atmosphere and mood, rather than graphic description, to create fear and suspense. I need to explain my reasoning for including the definitions of the two genre's above. In sharing comments on IG, Lucy expressed her interest in how I would classify this story. (Appreciated) The fact that this was written as IG posts and IG lives was compelling. We can easily connect with the style for obvious reasons. We also can understand that sense of wanting to fit in. We have possibly experienced it or have seen it many times, sometimes not as a fortunate experience. I am not speaking for or about any one person , specifically. Just an observation. @wellnesswarrior497 is extreme, she wants the likes, the recognition, to be an IG sensation. She has been invited to a wellness retreat, and she posts almost every moment, sharing her total experience. She quickly learns that nothing in her world is as it seems. While reading this I learned quickly that something just isn't quite right. The sense of dread creeps in and heightens the anticipation of learning what is truthfully happening. We are given glimpses and the tension builds bringing us to a sad ending. A few moments actually had me reeling with swaggering thoughts. I went back and read it again, and then I read it to my fiance. Then I sat on this review until my thoughts were hopefully gathered and I could share the story without spoiling any of it. Admiration, for Lucy Leitner, that is the word to describe how captivating this was. It captured the essence of Social Norms, Mental Health, and the blindness to facing to what some may call "our inner demons."
United StatesSomeone make this movie!
I really dug the ideas in this story. Everyone knows influencers are not-so-secretly miserable and the corporations who use them are evil AF. This tale takes what we know and exploits it to the nth degree! It would make a great short film.
United StatesBut First, Let Me Take A Selfie
The formatting done in this story is brilliant, telling an influencer’s stay at a wellness center entirely through her Instagram feed. As her viewers watch, our rising star slowly realizes that not all is what it seems, and only tries to get out when it’s too late. I feel like there’s a metaphor somewhere in this story for how social media and trends sucks our individuality from us and creates mindless dummies who can’t think for themselves.
United KingdomInstagram critique meets One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
A devastating critique of the Instagram culture we live in, with a little bit of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest thrown in! Seriously impressive epistolary prose. A short read, and only 50 cents, so you really have nothing to lose!
United StatesInto The White Abyss
This was a great short story. Lucy really builds up the backstory in such a small amount of time, using mannerisms and actions. Her take on societal norms is well done, and really focuses on catch phrases and trends. This story takes a dark trip into mental health, and really ends strong. Well worth the half a buck.