Rage and Other Cages By Aimee LaBrie: A great collection of Short Stories

If you enjoy a good fiction novel, Rage and Other Cages might be your next favorite book. Written by Aimee LaBrie, the 208-page thriller is composed of a number of enthralling short stories. Some are loosely based on real-life events, while others are completely made up. 

Spoiler-Free Summary

This composition of short stories covers a wide range of exciting and enthralling tales. Many readers claim that they simply can’t get certain scenes out of their heads, even weeks after finishing the novel, and I have to agree with them. This is the sign of a great book, in my opinion. 

One of the most captivating stories has to be that of a nurse who has to convince the murderer of his girlfriend to donate her organs to the hospital. Even though this is not a common or overly relatable situation to the average reader, the nurse spends the extract learning how to cope with his grief, the value of self-worth, and the importance of speaking out for what you believe in. 

Another great short story is that of a former child actress who becomes a real estate agent in her adult life. While most of us have and will never experience a life of fame and fortune, plenty of valuable lessons can be learned in this extract. For example, the main character discusses the very common problem of feeling as though you aren’t where you want to be in your life. 

She had dreams of becoming a Hollywood megastar, but the roles slowly dried up as she reached her teen years. As a result, she was forced to give up on her dreams and turned to a more traditional or ‘boring’ life, which left her unsatisfied and yearning for the glitz and glam of her past. The feeling of being unsatisfied is, unfortunately, a very common issue amongst members of modern society, which makes this particular short story very relatable. 

My Takeaway on Rage and Other Cages

There is so much to love about Rage and Other Cages. If you often get bored while reading a traditional single-story book, we highly recommend the short-story format. One of the best features of this novel, in particular, is that the short stories are still long enough for the reader to make a connection with the characters. You still become invested in the individual tales.

Each short story contains a vital life lesson or problem we face daily, making even the fictional tales feel personal. You will quickly find yourself captivated by LaBrie’s ability to tell a story. 

Any good book should contain some sort of life lesson for the reader to take with them after completion. There are so many valuable lessons packed into this novel that it can sometimes feel overwhelming for the reader. 

That said, there is fluidity between the different short stories, making it easy to follow and effortless to read. The novel is jam-packed with action and jaw-dropping revelations, keeping the reader locked in from the very first word. 

Rage and Other Cages offer advice on common emotions, such as grief and loneliness. In addition, the novel is designed to portray and examine what life is like in modern America for the average female citizen. 

If you are looking for a new short-story fiction novel, Rage and Other Cages should definitely be at the top of your list of considerations.

Audience

Teens, young adults, and adults who enjoy short-story fiction format.

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