The Art of Broken Things

Joanne Anderton presents a collection that dissects the fragility of human connection through dark science fiction and horror. The narratives traverse vast emotional landscapes, beginning with a marriage dissolving during a spacewalk and moving to a lonely robot searching for the remains of a long-lost child. Another story features an empty nester haunted by victims of surrounding bushfires. These tales blur genre lines to examine what it means to build a family and the sacrifices required to keep it together. Anderton, a multiple award-winning author, organizes these works to explore fundamental concerns about breaking and rebuilding. The collection draws on traditions of weird fiction and supernatural horror to question the boundaries of kinship and loss. Readers seeking comfort in traditional happy endings may find the tone unsettling, as the stories focus on dissolution and reconstruction rather than resolution. This volume suits those interested in speculative fiction that challenges conventional family structures through a lens of dread and melancholy. The book appeals to fans of literary horror who appreciate nuanced explorations of grief and isolation. It does not suit readers looking for fast-paced action or clear moral resolutions. The stories remain grounded in the immediate aftermath of trauma, offering a stark look at what remains when things fall apart. Anderton’s approach ensures that each narrative lingers long after the final page.