The success of Rita Bullwinkel’s ‘Headshot’, released earlier this year, has promoted a quick reprint of ‘Belly Up’, her earlier short story collection. ‘Headshot’, which details the exploits of a bunch of young women who gather together to battle it out for a boxing trophy, was awash with nicely drawn pen-portraits. It was also funny and not afraid to take off on a wild flight of fancy at its denouement. As a collection, ‘Belly Up’ is another book that isn’t afraid to explore the surreal and/or the absurd: from the two brothers – one a surgeon, one a sculptor – who begin to think themselves as godly; to the young girl whose ‘thing’ is licking exposed wires. In turn the stories are spiky, offbeat, romantic, grotesque and often explore violence and women’s agency. Such a commitment to the unremittingly strange can become wearying when taken as a whole, but these acid-drops can still be enjoyed when taken in small doses. RM

Published by Daunt Books