In this collection of 19 surreal stories Andrew Hook rides the slipstream through a series of fantastic yet familiar scenarios which, despite their peculiarities, are often only one step removed from reality. Weaving life into death and death into life he skates the twilight zone of our imaginations. His skewed images are both disturbing and a daffodil is inserted into an open wound, a giant beaver rampages through a small town, a boy's coming of age is reflected through schlock horror vignettes, and the planet's Eco-system is downloaded on computer disk. In 2003 The Virtual Menagerie was short-listed for a British Fantasy Society Award for best collection, alongside works by Steven King, Ursula Le Guin, Clark Ashton Smith, and Ramsey Campbell (who claimed the award). "The best stories here are among the finest that the independent press has to offer." Pete Tennant, The Third Alternative "A collection that is enigmatic, dark, occasionally amusing, occasionally sad, quite often infuriating, but always classy." Dave Price "A strong collection." Time Out