Transit Lounge : Stories

Cryptic fable, social commentary, black comedy, subverted myth, potted history, cautionary tale, psychological drama, flight of fancy, slice of life, redemption story Transit Lounge explores the artistic possibilities of short fiction while introducing the reader to an eclectic cast of characters confronting various personal crises during times of historic instability and change.

The stories in this collection are rooted in a New Zealand consciousness but also interrogate Aotearoas place in the world. Each story stands alone, yet characters reappear and themes resonate throughout the collection, resulting in a complex mosaic that connects past, present and future, while laying bare the effects of cultural, social and political influences on human experience.

In these nineteen eclectic short stories, Purchase experiments with genre and voice to produce a stylistically accomplished masterclass in short fiction, suitable for adults and mature teens.

From page one the reader is drawn into a variety of detailed, intimate settings where a cast of idiosyncratic characters face challenging circumstances during times of historic instability, upheaval and change.

Characters reappear and themes resonate across 200 years of history, leaving the reader with a satisfyingly complex puzzle about the interconnectedness of peoples lives, the effects of social, cultural, and political influences on human experience and the connective tissue that binds together past, present and future.

As she explores some of the big thorny issues of our times and their impact on ordinary lives, Purchase reprises the craft of good old-fashioned storytelling while challenging reader expectations.

The collection includes examples of social commentary, cryptic fable, black humour, subverted myth, magic realism, potted history, cautionary tale, slice of life, psychological drama and redemption story