Book Review: There Is No Death in Finding Nemo by Jeffrey M. Feingold

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

There Is No Death in Finding Nemo by Jeffrey M. Feingold is an entertaining collection of seven short stories varying in theme and tone, featuring characters who are real and relatable, as are the dilemmas they face.

The first story, The Narcissist’s Library (3/5), revolves around a young woman who, ignoring her sister’s advice, embarks on an ill-fated relationship. Not a favorite, but I did like how it ended. In The Mirror (4/5), we meet a man in his mid-sixties whose preoccupation with youthfulness and body, image blurs his reality. An apprentice baker and innovator’s ideology and well-intentioned efforts to address food supply shortage and hunger issues result in a clash with those looking to profit from their own business ventures in Avram’s Miracle (3.5/5). In The Box (5/5), a mysterious gift from a stranger enables a young art professor to approach the challenges of online dating and modern relationships in a rather unique way. A pianist with mental health issues seeks help from a therapist but also has a unique method of coping with her situation in The Loneliest Number (4/5). A visit to his grandfather in an assisted living facility inspires a middle-aged man’s reflection on his family history and how that has impacted his personal beliefs in Rich Girl (4/5) In the final story, There Is No Death in Finding Nemo (4/5), we follow the volatile dynamics between a married couple who we have met in a few of the other stories. This is the shortest story in the collection, but through all the three stories featuring this couple, we’re given a deeper look into the trajectory of their relationship.

In stories ranging from humorous to emotional to surreal, the author addresses themes such as relationships and self-worth, infidelity, mental health, aging and self-perception, among others with humor and insight. While a few of the stories are simple and straightforward, others are quite creative, with interesting twists at the end. None of the stories end abruptly or are left to the reader’s interpretation. The sparse prose with no excess, relatable characters and the varying themes made for an enjoyable reading experience. This is my first time reading this author and I’m eager to explore more of his work.

Many thanks to Impspired Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this collection of stories. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.