In writing "22 Stories," David Lawrence undertook the very daunting task of constructing a story in which the theme of each chapter (22 in all) deals with one of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana of a tarot deck. Furthermore, each chapter takes place on a separate story within a 22-story building. Not an easy task, but one that Lawrence pulled off outstandingly.
Set in the not-too-distant future, "22 Stories" follows Phillip and Emily as they try to uncover what happened to them during an experiment while working at Virtual Design. Along the way, we (the reader) take a journey through the annals of Science Fiction, Suspense, Religion, Spirituality, Sensuality, Philosophy, and New Age Mysticism. Split into three sections, each dealing with a separate facet of existence, "22 Stories" will shake your mind from out of its slumber. Definitely worth the price of admission.
David Lawrence spins a peculiar, perplexing, and entirely cerebral tale that at its heart is all about the nature of the self. Part science fiction, part new age mysticism, and part detective novel, the work follows Emily and Phillip, lovers, empaths, and co-workers at Virtual Design who worked on a secret company experiment called Project Immersion. But something happened to them during the nine-month project, and not only have they lost their feelings for each other, but all memory of the experiment itself.
Determined to regain control of their memories and emotions, the pair embark on a quest to discover the truth. That quest takes them to, of all places, a corporate party at the 22-story Executive Building. And it is here that the line between science fiction and spiritualism blurs. As Emily and Phillip move from floor to floor of the building, each floor becomes representative of one of the cards of the Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite tarot deck.
Lawrence does a wonderful job of melding the symbolism of the deck into the story, creating a surreal experience that leaves the reader questioning the very nature of reality. My only concern is that readers unfamiliar with the tarot may miss much of the symbolism and meaning in the story. I don't believe, however, that this would take away from the reader's enjoyment.
At times dark and foreboding, the book finishes with an almost defiant affirmation of humanity and self-awareness. A great read that will appeal to both fans of science fiction and readers with a more literary bent.
