HEADLINES WE DON'T SEE: BROADCASTING FROM THE END OF THE WORLD OFFERS POEMS AND STORIES OF HARSH TRUTHS AND CHILLING TERRORS

 

 

BROADCASTING FROM THE END OF THE WORLD: POEMS AND TALES

Andrew Buckner

Alien Buddha Press, 2025

ISBN: 9798302426239

Ebook, 107 ppg.

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Picture it: All the terrible things happening in life, in the world, with someone on the sidelines broadcasting about it all. For readers of BROADCASTING FROM THE END OF THE WORLD: POEMS AND TALES by Andrew Buckner, that is what is found here. But, true to form as a writer of poetry and fiction, the author also provides poems and stories providing entertainment, escape, and wonder.

 

It’s rare to come across poetry that speaks so strongly about life and the real world, but that’s the kind of poetry we find in this book. And some of the stories in this book reflect the reality of how we’re all just trying to survive. To keep a roof over our heads and food on the table for our families.

 

I loved the poem “IT’S ALL TURNING INTO BULLSHIT!” It really IS all turning into bullshit! Especially ALL of those things the poem mentions which is bullshit. Every. Single. One.

 

“INVASIVE SPECIES, OR A BAKER’S DOZEN OF BLOOD” was my favorite story. I love the message this eco-horror story sends, but I love the goriness of the story too! It’s a really good summer camp horror story – and not cliché at all!

 

I especially loved this quote in the story:

 

"“Summer ends,” the sequoia boomed. “Youth fades. Maturity takes over. One must eventually answer for their irresponsible deeds. It is the harshest truth of the June through August months that come and go every year in childhood as if they will never end.”" (pg. 45)

 

I know the character, Michelle, is being told this as a way to explain that all childish things must end at some point and that we must accept adulthood and responsibilities (like taking care of the earth!), but it really captures how the summer season makes ALL of us feel like kids again, when we get to have a vacation AWAY from school and AWAY from jobs (if that’s possible!). Summertime is indeed family time. A time for fun, play and enjoying life to the fullest.

 

BROADCASTING FROM THE END OF THE WORLD: POEMS AND TALES provided poems and stories that I not only agreed with and related to, but took the time to absorb and enjoy as the world all around us continues to exist in a storm of chaos. It provided a perfect escape from that chaos. This was indeed a collection that I really enjoyed reading. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading speculative fiction as well as poetry that speaks out against the horrors of the real world.

 

 

 

 

Five stars

 

 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as part of my digital subscription with the publisher.