Cryptic fable, social commentary, black comedy, subverted myth, potted history, cautionary tale, psychological drama, flight of fancy, slice of life, redemption story – Transit Lounge explores the artistic possibilities of short fiction while introducing the reader to an eclectic cast of characters confronting various personal crises during times of historic instability and change. The stories in this collection are rooted in a New Zealand consciousness but also interrogate Aotearoa’s place in the world. Each story stands alone, yet characters reappear, and themes resonate throughout the collection, resulting in a complex mosaic that connects past, present and future, while laying bare the effects of cultural, social and political influences on human experience.