A longish short story by Patricia Chong, subtitled “The Solitary Clamour of Scarlet.” The story is interesting, if in need of a little editing. It concerns Danielle, a young woman involved with her local church, where things are not as they seem. I kept expecting the story to become erotic at a certain point, gifted as Patricia is at describing incredibly sensuous moments within the banality of the characters’ lives. Alas, no dirty in this ditty. “As Usual” skirts along David Lynchian territory at times, threatening to delve into the fully surreal but never quite getting there. The book itself is a lovely self-published product, with ripped edges and patterned covers (although I do have a complaint about the covers being made out of tissue paper – both have ended up tearing off just in the course of carrying it around in my bag this week). All in all, an entertaining book. I recommend it. (JP)
Chapbook, no price listed, Patricia Chong, [email protected]