Brink of Collapse is a collection of short stories by Iheanacho A Golden. The author focused on a number of life scenarios for this collection with the theme running on there being a choice to turn to despair or to not give up hope.
Reviewed here by Sophie Radisson, the three stories are explored by a young woman who is travelling her own life making choices every day too.
“There is something alluring about a book split into three stories when life is as busy as mine at the moment. With studying and working, my spare time is limited. And having three segments to a book removes the daunting feeling of whether you have time to commit to it, as it can be enjoyed in much more manageable pieces.
“I often jump around a short story collection but for some reason The Brink of Reason drew me to read the stories in order. Starting with The Retrial.
“Based on a family with issues, on the brink of collapse, with waring siblings and parents on different pages many people will identify with the trials they face. A rollercoaster of emotions across all age groups, the story makes you witness love and hate, and how close the feelings can be to each other. There is an innocence to the writing and the author’s Nigerian roots come through, but that adds to the authenticity of the tale. From potentially cheating fathers, to abuse in the past, young love, first sex and relationships between mother and daughter, this family tale leaves no stone unturned.
“Moving onto the next story, Vindication, I was fascinated with the student’s battle. Let down by people and by the system, this story of choices will resonate with many although the accusations are rare. Experiencing prison but maintaining her innocence the main character is mistreated in several ways and her character is all that is left to save her.
“Having enjoyed the first two short stories, I moved onto the third. Hope, with a positive feeling that the story would once again be gripping. Covering mistreatment in the family, male and female expected roles, the relationship and differences between twins, dreams for the future and the reality of mental health. This story shines with the truth that despite daily battles hope will win and the future can be carved.
“The three stories, although very different, carry the same reaction from me as reader. I took away a feeling of how I would deal with the situation, with hope and with a tenacity to see things through even when they feel like they are disintegrating. It gave me the motivation to remember to always try and to focus on the future rather than drowning in the now.
“A collection well worth reading and one that I shall no doubt revisit in the future.”
Brink of Collapse is available on Amazon.