On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Gareth Owen’s South To That Dark Sun is a captivating collection of eleven short stories that blend dark humor, poignant insight, and lyrical prose to explore the surreal and deeply human lives of unforgettable characters.
South To That Dark Sun
Gareth Owen’s South To That Dark Sun is a masterful collection of eleven short stories that weave together wit, heart, and piercing insight to explore the complexities of human lives. With a poet’s precision and a storyteller’s flair, Owen introduces readers to a vibrant cast of characters—each distinct, unforgettable, and rendered with remarkable authenticity. From a small-town Italian beauty with eccentric desires to a faded blues singer haunted by his past, Owen’s characters navigate the surreal, the poignant, and the deeply human with a narrative voice that is both lyrical and unflinchingly bold.
This prize-winning poet and author showcases his versatility across a spectrum of voices, settings, and emotional landscapes. The collection moves seamlessly from the whimsical to the harrowing, blending dark humor, psychological depth, and moments of startling tenderness. Whether it’s the chilling ghost story of an aborted child, the narcissistic actor unraveling on stage, or the confessions of a serial philanderer, Owen’s stories are united by elegant clarity and sharp observation. Each tale feels like a world unto itself, yet collectively, they form a profound meditation on identity, desire, loss, and the quiet, surreal moments that shape us.
One standout story, Zia Teresa, was born from an anecdote shared by Owen’s Italian teacher. In it, he transforms himself into a naive yet captivating Italian woman whose erotic obsessions with religion and dentistry are explored with touching, dexterous humor. This tale exemplifies Owen’s ability to inhabit wildly different perspectives with empathy and authenticity. Other stories, such as the haunting journey of a drug-damaged rock/blues singer enchanted by the honeyed voice of his Mississippi Southern Belle satnav, showcase Owen’s knack for blending absurdity with emotional resonance.
What makes South To That Dark Sun significant is not just its remarkable range but the way Owen inhabits each character’s world with fearless empathy. His prose is economical yet profoundly moving, offering readers a fresh and unforgettable literary experience. The collection resonates with those who crave fiction that surprises, provokes, and illuminates—never settling for mere entertainment. With its blend of horror, comedy, and elegant insight, this collection will enthrall and delight, leaving readers eager for more from this lyrically inventive author.
South To That Dark Sun is a testament to Gareth Owen’s storytelling prowess, a work that captures the messy, beautiful, and often surreal nature of human existence with wit, heart, and unflinching clarity.
Gareth Owen
Gareth Owen is a prize-winning poet. For a number of years he presented the BBC’s long-running Poetry Please! He has published five collections of verse, as well as five novels and books for children. He has also written numerous plays, four of which were broadcast by the BBC. Gareth now lives in Ludlow, where he occasionally performs his own songs in the guise of Country singer, Virg Clenthills.
Find more from Gareth Owen now:
Apple Books: https://apple.co/4ki3c6J
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4deVQ1i
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4jPfSC7
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