And its fall was great

Seventeen short stories. Dystopian. Encouraging. Fatalistic. Heartening. Perturbing. Cautionary. Exploring moral and practical themes about class, sex, justice, leadership, masculinity, survival, community, commerce, mental illness and wellness.

Some stories are set in a post-collapse Britain. Others are in or around mental hospitals. Many imagine futures that we Britons could soon be living in.

You see, whatever our future turns out to be, there’s only one thing that’s certain. It won’t feel, look or be anything like it does now. By the time we get there Britain will have changed beyond recognition. Because when the train goes over the edge, it doesn’t land in one piece.

Nerdy sociology researcher Colin presents at a conference three months after almost every Briton’s life and future suddenly saw an enormous change for the better. Reform that had way more substance than a politician’s vague promises. The clue is in the ‘almost’.

Comfortably retired senior nurse Kate regards her wall of framed qualifications, awards, commendations and photographs with pride. A knock on the door threatens the lot when a memory she thought impenetrably sealed in a vault is exhumed.