Review of "A Great Big Fuss" from Foofaraw Press
- Megan Diedericks
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 17
A Great Big Fuss is everything you could want in a short story collection: immersive and impeccable writing.
I'm insanely fond of how the overall tone is rooted in humor and the bonds people form (which varies from story to story!) A lot of the stories are also, quite literally, out of this world but all manage to stay grounded. I like my clichés, so, A Great Big Fuss feels like home (nightmares occasionally included.)
My favorites and thoughts on each:
• Future in Flames Series: Cell Phones 4 U, Oil on Canvas – Mel Harlan
The story itself is grounded, but the main character, Helen, seems to exist (or rather, wants to exist) elsewhere. The writing is so vivid, and though I assumed the ending would happen, I was all the more glad when it did.
• Gumball – Michael Allen Rose
Hilarious! The author clearly knows how to write an accurate sibling-dynamic.
• The Yellow Marble – Paul W. La Bella
Incredibly heartfelt and immersive.
• Yellow – Tom Folske
A very short piece I can say so much about, but I don't want to give it away. Funny, dark, but very real—maybe not to the extreme in the story, but I'd like to think we all know someone who's always eager to jump the gun.
• Chromacide – Tom Howard
Very interesting concepts, and the title is so creative!
• Stanley's Quest – L.N. Hunter
One of my worst nightmares written perfectly. I love it.
• PlantWatch 2025 exclusive: The lives and deaths of Bekah Blake's houseplants – Ashleigh Adams
A delightful (sorry, plants) and creative story!
• The 5-Star Intergalactic Telephone Company – E.J. LeRoy
Devastingly (for the main character) funny, and so much world building packed into one short story—while not tipping over the line of being too much!
• The Manor – Stephanie Kvellestad
I don't know what to say without spoiling this, but I adored it so much.
• The Red Light – J.M. Sanders
Striking, and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
• Garbage Day – Tom Ramey
This was very fun to read!
• Three Trash Nights – Julius Fish
Beautiful, and made me laugh out loud. Time to go chop some wood (that's an inside joke between me and the story 🤣)
• A Witch Out of Water – Melanie Mulrooney
A retelling I didn't know I needed, but now that I've read it, I'll never get over it.
Quotes I thought were neat:
• "... boredom enhances despair like salt enhances the taste of food."
— The Yellow Marble, Paul W. La Bella
• "He despised the people in front of him, yet at the same time, he craved their admiration and acceptance. These were the only people in the entire world who might understand some aspects of what went on in his mind."
— The Final Test, E. Florian Gludovacz
With a gorgeous and fitting cover, and incredible pieces that flow well from one to the other—I think a great big fuss is exactly what this anthology deserves!
