Down to a Sunless Sea

Mathias B. Freese
Wheatmark (2007)
ISBN 9781587367335
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (2/08) 


While I have to admit I usually prefer sunnier reading, I was very much impressed by “Down to a Sunless Sea,” a collection of short stories by Mathias B. Freese. Each of the fifteen stories leads the reader into the mind of another struggling character, trying to deal with whatever lousy set of cards life dealt them.

All of the stories are undoubtedly dark and deal with troubled people, yet they are not necessarily depressing. After having read about such tremendous struggles, one cannot help but to feel better about his or her own life, having put one’s own little miseries into much better perspective. Seeing life through the eyes of Mr. Freese’s characters makes you realize how lucky you really are compared to so many other people.

Mr. Freese’s characters are truly believable, if not always easy to relate to and not always likeable. His writing is rich and tight, with just enough words to convey the message and no unnecessary flowery or overly sentimental passages. He seems to be able to dissect the human soul and lay it bare in front of the reader’s eyes. Nobody’s misery is beyond his reach, regardless of whether that person is mentally or physically challenged, abused, lonely or simply just old. He understands them all and he shows sympathy and concern for everybody.

As I mentioned earlier, “Down to a Sunless Sea” is not exactly sunny reading, but it is undoubtedly good reading. As such I would highly recommend it to all readers who love good prose and who are not afraid of something a bit more challenging to read. Take them one at a time, and those stories just might make you understand your fellow men – and women – better.

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