After his mother had died, the hero has to leave the attic where he has spent the last 33 years, locked in by his mother. Taking the first steps into a very changed world, having to learn the directions to local amenities, how to survive, how to get rid rid of his mothers body. He then receives a letter, who knows he exists? Its for a visa card, will he be excepted? - This excites him! Will this be the start to his life changing or could this be the start of the end.

The authors style of writing is excellent, well written and easy to follow. The thoughts and emotions portrayed by our hero, draws the reader in, not knowing what is going to happen next.

The plot is quite different and unique, how would anyone cope after being locked away in an attic for 33 years? The humour of the author is well portrayed and at certain points in the book, you will find yourself laughing, at other points you will feel sorry for the main character. For anyone who likes short stories this will totally appeal, easy to read yet keeps the reader totally enrapt. Overall an enjoyable read but felt some small parts of the story information was lacking.

The other two short stories are really thought provoking and challenge ideas and the way we think, expertly written and enjoyable. ( )

ACORN'S CARD is a novella with two accompanying short stories. In the title novella an AWOL soldier returns to the downstairs after thirty-three years of hiding in his mother’s attic to find the old woman dead. But what should he do with her body? He can’t just call an undertaker; he is supposed to have died years ago. And how will he provide for himself, as his mother has left little money in the house? By chance a pre-approved credit card application arrives in the mail. John Acorn fills it out and a card is issued to him. Now he can buy whatever he wants, with no thought of how he will pay when the statement comes. He decides to buy a used hearse and drive his mother to the cemetery and bury her. But first John will take his mother on a ride, during which he finds the world considerably changed from what he remembered it to be. Meanwhile, the hearse has a plan of its own. You will be surprised by the ending of this strange and fascinating story.

In the first of the short stories an immigrant Polish plumber learns of life in America when he bribes a policeman into not giving him a traffic ticket with a loaf of bread. In the other story a plastic garbage bag, that has been mistaken for a UFO, flies around the sky looking for a new beginning.

Poleskie’s plots are skillfully conceived, and totally original. He is masterful writer with a brilliant sense of the language, at times probing, yet glorious and magical, much in the manner of Bruno Schulz. If you prefer your reading a bit out of the ordinary, and still understand what a metaphor is, Acorn’s Card is an excellent choice. I do not hesitate to give this book my highest recommendation. ( )