The reissue of Andrzej Ziemiański's anthology is a chance to get to know several completely different but intriguing stories. Is it worth it?
In the land of awesomeness
Let’s start, perhaps atypically, because with the release, because the re-edition from Fabryka Słów immediately attracts the reader’s eye. The cover already introduces the mysterious atmosphere, with the image of a disturbing, pale man, with a glistening title and lightning. The dove, on the other hand, strengthens the interest by introducing a little mystery. This verbal description may not sound extraordinary, but it looks really intriguing and it immediately prompted me to open the book, even if there was no reference to the cover symbolism inside.
Instead, I found five short stories printed on standard-quality paper, in an average-sized font that was pleasing to the eye. At the end of the book you will also find a short note about the author and advertisements for his other works. In the course of proper reading, I did not come across any serious technical mishaps. The size of the issue should also be considered a plus. The Tesla trap has about 300 pages and thanks to its compact dimensions it can easily fit even in a small purse, which is conducive to traveling reading. But is it profitable to reach for this position at all?
Polish house
The first moments with the Tesla Trap make a good impression. It begins with a very short story, intended more to get the reader in the right mood than to convey a specific piece of the plot. The average family is invited by a nobleman to spend the night at his mansion to shelter from bad weather. In the process, we learn about noble customs and entertainment, and that’s about it. However, the story was woven in the shape of a dream, which, despite its small volume, stimulates the senses and is absorbed with satisfaction.
The swordsman
After the starter in the form of the Polish house, there is a turn by one hundred and eighty degrees! In Wypasaczu, Ziemiański presents a full-fledged crime story that has nothing to do with fantasy. This does not mean, however, that we are dealing with a classic crime story. We follow the fate of a policewoman tracking down the perpetrator of mass disappearances of women in Polish cities. The ongoing investigation is immediately intriguing. The case quickly becomes complicated and turns into a completely different, abstract direction. Although I was surprised at first, I completely disliked the idea of a story, especially the conclusion. It’s hard to explain it without spoiling the story, but people who are sensitive to certain social issues will be really dissatisfied.
It is somehow appreciated that the author decided to include such a perverse twist in a crime fiction, but he could have done it in a better way.
Tesla trap
Fortunately, I have no objections to the next title story. The Tesla Trap is without a shadow of a doubt the best text in the entire anthology! As the title suggests, Ziemiański focuses on the war that Thomas Edison, Guglielmo Marconi and Alexander Graham Bell declared against the Serbian inventors. The history of the constructors’ rivalry is fascinating in itself.
Ziemiański, thanks to the title trap, transferred the story to … today’s Wrocław. Sounds surprising? So it is. Contrary to appearances, this solution makes sense. The plot unfolds from several perspectives, and the fragments set in the past and the present mix neatly, creating a well-thought-out puzzle. The author uses the numerous legends that the character of Tesla has grown over the years. The story is captivating from the first page and does not let you break away until the end. A certain dissatisfaction may therefore leave the ending open. In my opinion, this ending fits in with the mysterious atmosphere – after all, the real story of the inventor is also full of understatements.
You guys are all going to hell
Another story is, for a change, a juicy portion of a sf climate sensation dripping with testosterone. As in the Tesla Trap, events are a consequence of the distant past. More specifically, the main character’s life changes beyond recognition when he is assigned a pair of unusual bodyguards. Knowing that the history of the world will depend on his deeds in the future, the young boy frees himself from existence on the streets and, using his inborn cunning, climbs higher and higher the social ladder. From time to time, the reader is treated to dynamic action scenes.
You can feel that the story does not necessarily fit the short form. Every now and then there are significant leaps in the narrative, which makes the coherence suffer. As a result, we only get a good tram reader, which had the potential to be something more.
What if I am God?
Fortunately, the final story raises the level by betting on an interesting concept. This time the protagonist is Dr. Różycki, who works in a very specific clinic. It treats various ailments related to sleep. As you can guess, although Różycki is a doctor, it is definitely not medicine, and the title is only to provide him with greater credibility. The protagonist accepts three patients – with different cases, seemingly unrelated to each other.
Fans of Inception- style stories should be pleased . Dreams travel plays an important role here and is presented in an engaging way. Ziemiański’s ability to surprise the reader is also good here. The author managed to turn the situation on its head several times. One can only have a slight impression that this time the story was a bit too long, so the ending itself didn’t have that strong impact.
Interesting overview
Tesla Trap is definitely a successful anthology, but apart from the title story, it’s hard to find really great stories. Nevertheless, they represent a good quality and each of them has a hint of surprise to offer. I would recommend this item first of all to readers who have not come across the works of Andrzej Ziemiański before. In this collection, they will find the author’s perspective on completely different genres and learn about his sparse but precise style. After all, it is better to bounce off a short story than a thick novel, and the other way around – after reading such a cross-section, you can be sure that you want more. For the rest, it is rather a curiosity in the sea of novelty.
