Shades of Mortality by Jamal Barbari

You know that feeling when you finish a book and your brain feels like it’s been put through a taffy puller? That’s exactly what Jamal Barbari’s “Shades of Mortality” did to me. This collection of short stories is like nothing I’ve read before—it’s wild, it’s weird, and it’s absolutely wonderful.

Let’s start with the basics: “Shades of Mortality” is Barbari’s debut, a collection of short stories that ping-pongs between genres faster than you can say “interdimensional storytellers.” Oh yeah, did I mention there are interdimensional storytellers? Because there are, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

A Cosmic Road Trip

The book is split into four sections, each with its own flavor. We’ve got “Sustenance,” “The Cosmos,” “C’est la Vie,” and “Sweet Release.” It’s like a road trip through the human experience, with pit stops in some pretty bizarre places.

Our guides on this journey are Yabe Inu (think wise grandmother type, but way cooler), Ecna (the kid who asks all the questions you’re thinking), and Oongton (the weird uncle of the group). They pop up between stories, chatting about what we’ve just read and what’s coming next. It’s a neat trick that ties everything together and gives you a chance to catch your breath between mind-bends.

Sustenance: Not Your Average Snack Break

The “Sustenance” section kicks things off with a bang. “Breaking and Baking” had me on the edge of my seat, following a kid’s elaborate escape plan… all for a cookie. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say it didn’t go quite how I expected.

Then there’s “The Mile High,” which… wow. Just wow. It starts off feeling like a standard flight attendant story and then takes a hard left into Stephen King territory. I actually had to put the book down for a minute after that one to process what I’d just read.

The Cosmos: Strap In, It’s Gonna Get Weird

If you thought things were strange before, just wait until you hit “The Cosmos” section. “Malachite” is this beautiful, heartbreaking little story about a butterfly that dreams of being human. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you, you know?

But the real showstopper here is “Sapphire Stars.” Barbari’s writing in this one is just… wonderful. It’s poetic without being pretentious, painting this picture of stars as god-tears that’s both bizarre and oddly moving. I found myself reading sentences out loud just to hear how they sounded.

C’est la Vie: Back to Earth (Sort Of)

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on Barbari’s style, he switches it up again. “Seven Minutes of Solace” is this frantic, stream-of-consciousness piece about a teacher trying to find a moment’s peace. As someone with teacher friends, let me tell you—this one hits close to home.

And then there’s “Golu, the God of Luck,” which reads like a myth that’s been around for centuries but was actually invented last Tuesday. It’s clever, it’s funny, and it’ll make you think twice about wishing for good luck.

Sweet Release: Bring Tissues

Fair warning: the last section, “Sweet Release,” is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. “The Traveler and the Thief” explores love and loss in this really unique way that had me tearing up over a spool of thread. (Trust me, it makes sense when you read it.)

The collection closes out with “Dance of the Dragonflies,” and… look, I’m not saying I cried, but if you don’t feel something reading this story, you might want to check if you’ve accidentally turned into a robot.

A Style Chameleon

One of the things that blew me away about this book is how Barbari changes his writing style to fit each story. One minute you’re reading something that could be a thriller, the next it’s like literary fiction, then you’re in full-on sci-fi mode. It’s like he’s showing off, but in the best possible way.

And the characters! Even in the shortest stories, Barbari manages to create these fully-realized people (or, you know, butterflies or stars or whatever) that feel real. I found myself thinking about some of them days after I’d finished the book.

The Big Questions

Now, don’t get me wrong—this isn’t just a collection of cool stories with neat writing tricks. Barbari’s tackling some heavy stuff here. Life, death, what it means to be human… it’s all in there. But it never feels preachy or heavy-handed. It’s more like he’s inviting you to ponder these big questions along with him.

The Cherry on Top

I haven’t even mentioned the illustrations yet! Each story comes with its own artwork, and let me tell you, they’re gorgeous. It’s not just decoration either – the art really adds to the stories, sometimes even changing how you interpret them. It’s like getting two art forms for the price of one.

Final Thoughts

Look, I read a lot of books. It’s kind of my thing. But “Shades of Mortality” is something special. It’s the kind of book that makes you excited about reading again, that reminds you of the power of storytelling.

Is it an easy read? Not always. There were moments when I had to stop and scratch my head, maybe reread a paragraph or two. But that’s part of the fun. It’s a book that makes you work a little, but man, it is worth it.

If you’re in the mood for something different, something that’ll make you laugh, cry, and question the nature of reality (sometimes all in the same story), give “Shades of Mortality” a shot. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself staring at the stars a little differently afterward.