Ten Acceptable Acts of Arson

What if AI robots carried out human funeral services? Ever thought about the practical downsides of accidental necromancy? Or wished you could just fill out a form to have your ‘flaws’ like procrastination cured? 10 Acceptable Acts of Arson covers all these ideas and more, in a collection of very short stories, usually about a single page long. They all are certainly shorter than this review! With each page turn, there was a new unique idea which made for a very entertaining read.

The stories vary immensely in terms of genre, style and subject. Each story is delightfully unique and strange: sacrificing snacks to the programmer gods, an entrepreneur kayaking souls across the Styx, a ‘flour dealer’ during the lockdowns, or love, ghosts, illness and faeries.

Cottrell’s writing is filled with wit and puts a new spin on everyday experiences. He is also clearly confident in switching styles often and easily, going from lists - ‘10 ways authors get their ideas’- to a medication routine, to an advertisement to find who you were in a past life, in just three pages. I greatly enjoyed reading each story as I read from punchline to punchline.

However, this book, or rather collection, is not written to be read in one sitting. It’s much harder to enjoy the witty endings by the hundredth story. It’s not a critique of the writing, more the fact that flash fiction is limited in the sense that it’s hard to develop and expand on a story. Cottrell groups the stories together under the days of the week and themes, though the stories are so varied the connection feels vague at best.

Though you’ll be disappointed if you’re looking for a more cohesive read such as a novel, give this a try and read a few pages at a time. You’re much more likely to fully enjoy and appreciate each story. Each word has its place, and Cottrell makes his craft, the precision needed to pick the perfect words, look effortless. This is highlighted in a few shorter segments. My favourites include “the receptionist asks for your name. She asks for your client number. She asks for your most painful childhood memory. She asks for a piece of your soul” or “Dwindling population meant a change in terms. What once had been ‘inbreeding’ was now ‘pedigree’.”

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this collection of stories. It’s just such a fun book!
It was highly entertaining and each story was unique. I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys short stories, likes wit or humour, or just wants a fresh new read.