The Sleepers Almanac 2006: The nervous system

By Zoe Dattner And Louise Swinn Eds, Collingwood: Sleepers Publishing, 2006, 276 pages, paperback, $29.95. Reviewed by Catie Gilchrist in the July 2006 issue.

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Anthologies of short stories are by their very nature fragmented and momentary. At times, this can make for a fractured reading experience, a literary equivalent of eating tapas when you crave something rather more solid and substantial. On the other hand, leaving the reader with a yearning desire for 'more' is perhaps the subtle art of crafting a good short story. The Nervous System succeeds remarkably well in this respect. It is an illustrated, irreverent anthology of short stories by established and unknown writers, offering an eclectic mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and recipes. Some are highly creative, futuristic, others explore contemporary concerns; a few are extremely funny, others just plain odd. This is the second instalment in the editors' bold venture to make Australian writing a profitable enterprise for both writers and publishers; and to publish and establish a highly reputed and stable backlist of Australian literary fiction. Recent media reports suggest that the Australian fiction-reading audience is shrinking at an alarming rate. Supposedly no one buys short story collections any more. Yet quirky, offbeat collections such as this are a timely reminder that powerful and beautiful writing is still being written. The short story and its creative way of looking at the world is well and truly alive.

Modern day relationships are explored in all their myriad complexities; we meet childless couples, children from former relationships, first dates, failing loveless partnerships, a new age commune, single mothers dreaming of heroes on Harleys, grungy drop-out girls dating city 'suits' solely for their cash. Beyond betrayal, lies and unrequited love, our wider moral sensibilities are provoked by the opinions of queer bashers, truckers and American soldiers and our attitudes towards the elderly homeless and the stateless refugee are brought to the fore. Teenage angst and the disturbing (and increasing) phenomenon of hikikomori (young Japanese people 'retiring' from society), existential career crisis, sea-changers, sibling rivalries, failing health, burnt toast, narky neighbours -- the rich tapestry of life with all its beauty and its horror is explored in this collection. The stories in Sleepers are colourfully diverse, moving, honest and human.

Of note are Zoe Bishop's 'The Tomato Plant', which explores the relationship of single mother Maeve and the illegal Afghan refugees living next door to her in the 'suicide towers' of public housing. Sharing and empathy are the appropriate messages of this story; her baby, their ethnic cooking and the simple pleasures of growing plants on the veranda inject delight and joy into their otherwise bleak lives. David Astle's 'The Road to Bob' is a brilliant and hilariously conceived sibling road trip across New South Wales to a family funeral. It is also a sharp piece of contemporary social commentary on 'outsiders'. Ruth, the plain yet successful academic sister is experiencing the realities of fertility treatment, 'you don't want to go there' she explains to her brother. 'Eggs in the freezer and jizz in a cup' (p 6) epitomise her present home life. Her brother Toni has just become Tori with the help of a sex change, 'I'm half female, half pharmacy' (p 6) he admits as they journey towards uncle Bob's funeral. Along the way they encounter the hatred and prejudices of small minds in small towns with their warped sense of moral norms. When Tori is asked the question 'you reckon them Anzacs fought the wogs so faggots could exist?', (p 12) a moment of brilliant irony is vividly captured. Andy Kissane's 'Going Underground', a creative tale of longing, escape and love was a particular standout. It left me hungry to read more and I look forward to seeing his in-progress book of short stories in bookstores sometime in the near future.

The majority of these short stories are not overtly or conspicuously 'Australian'. Some readers might see this as a shortcoming. Considering the writers are mostly Australian they might lament the lack of a particular national flavour. Other readers however will find this to be a refreshing, raw and beautiful antidote to the somewhat outdated, if not mythical idea of an idiosyncratic 'national voice'. There are many different voices in Australia and they are all equally important in contributing to the idea of Australian fiction. As Louise Swinn perceptively tells us in her forward, 'Good Australian fiction does exist but often it's the schlock that gets promoted and marketed properly [...] In that climate, sure, its harder to grow. But the seeds have been in the soil, they've been germinating for years now. You have to know what they smell like, how they feel, what they might taste like. Support those who are trying something new -- not just because they're trying but because you're big enough'. So go on reader -- are you big enough?

Citation

• Catie Gilchrist. 'Review: The Sleepers Almanac 2006: The nervous system by Zoe Dattner and Louise Swinn eds' [online]. Network Review of Books (Perth, Australian Public Intellectual Network), July 2006. Availability: <please cite the web address here> ISSN 1833-0932. [accessed 22 May 2013].

Back Cover Blurb

• 'My mother designed a machine that peels potatoes, chops them, fries them and then eats them for you. She's an engineer. So now for dinner we just press a button and go back to our busy lifestyles. Einstein said that space is curved but maybe it was just his ruler. He didn't explain how even though time is money, and money buys you time, people with a lot of time on their hands can't seem to afford anything. He said that you can't travel back in time though, and maybe that has something to do with it. I don't really know much about the stock market.'
  
  From Mihai Sora's 'Everything's Fine'
  
  The Sleepers Almanac is 276 pages of world class writing. Selected from hundreds of submissions from all around Australia (and a handfull of overseas submissions too), the Almanac comprises 42 pieces of fiction, 4 non-fiction and 3 cartoons, produced in a beautiful book of the highest quality. The Sleepers Almanac 2006 -- The Nervous System was launched on the 9th of February and is the second Almanac produced by Sleepers Publishing. There will be a third Almanac coming in 2007.
  
  'Proof that announcements of the death of Australian literature are somewhat premature. Sleepers are at the forefront of (its) renewal.'
  
  Mark Davis, author of Gangland.
  
  '... Another great initiative from Sleepers. Started by two women with big ideas and a determination to create a hub of good talk and lively publishing, Sleepers goes from strength to strength.'
  
  Hilary McPhee
  
  'Anyone who encourages insaniacs like Justin Heazlewood and Edward Burger gets my vote. This is writing that takes the top of your head off and drops inquisitive jelly snakes all over your brain. Bravo Sleepers -- keep it up!'
  
  Tom Doig, Editor Voiceworks.
  
  'It's discovering so many talented new voices that makes The Sleepers Almanac such a serendipity.'
  
  The Sydney Morning Herald