Stories that strip away pretense, offering an unfiltered look at the complexities of modern masculinity.
BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, March 11, 2025 /
EINPresswire.com/ -- Few books examine male vulnerability with such depth and nuance as “Subjective Enactment.” In this collection of striking and unconventional short stories, David Colin offers an intimate look into men’s inner lives, tackling themes of isolation, identity, and resilience in a society that often refuses to see them fully. Whether confronting issues of sexuality, masculinity, or the weight of expectation, the men in “Subjective Enactment” face their realities with both quiet contemplation and raw determination.
Each story in the collection presents a different facet of masculinity, from the pressure to conform to societal expectations to the weight of unspoken truths. Colin’s characters navigate moments of quiet reflection, internal conflict, and deeply personal realizations, offering an unfiltered look at the complexity of male identity. Raw, flawed, and fully human, these men defy stereotypes and challenge assumptions about strength and vulnerability.
“Men’s struggles—especially those of gay or otherwise stigmatized identities—are rarely portrayed with the complexity and emotional depth they deserve in fiction,” Colin explains. “Subjective Enactment gives these men a voice.”
A LITERARY APPROACH THAT BREAKS THE MOLD
Unlike conventional short story collections, “Subjective Enactment” reads like a series of unfiltered glimpses into the psyche of its protagonists. Colin’s approach strips away unnecessary exposition and delivers sharp, introspective moments that challenge the reader to step into the minds of men society often ignores.
The collection’s unconventional narratives highlight a range of experiences, including:
Coerced Disclosure which examines the experience of a man pressured into publicly defining his sexual orientation despite his own uncertainty.
A Weapon’s Mortality deconstructs the relationship between masculinity and violence, likening men to the mechanical components of a gun.
Defense’s Release follows a police officer struggling with the moral weight of his role in a divided society.
By choosing to highlight introspection rather than plot-driven storytelling, Colin invites readers to see the world through the raw, unguarded thoughts of his characters—men who are often trapped between societal expectations and personal truths.
PRAISE FOR “SUBJECTIVE ENACTMENT”
Reviewer Jill Rey of Reader Views describes the book as “enlightening, surprising, intriguing, mysterious, and odd,” adding that the collection “drags out a range of emotions and thoughts.” She praises Colin’s ability to “flip the male perspective and stereotype on its head” by showcasing “the human side of men—the side that isn’t afraid to project their innermost feelings and emotions.”
The collection explores the struggles of marginalized men while challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about masculinity. Rey notes: “Books are often written with women in mind... yet “Subjective Enactment” offers something for men—a place where they can see themselves represented, while women open their minds to the often submerged, hidden, or ill-represented realities of man.”
A NECESSARY CONVERSATION IN TODAY’S FICTION
Although gender is a dominant topic in today’s cultural conversations, the challenges men face—particularly in terms of vulnerability and identity—are often overlooked. These struggles are also underrepresented in fiction, where men are rarely portrayed in a way that feels honest, introspective, and unfiltered. Colin challenges the notion that masculinity is synonymous with emotional distance or rigid identity, offering nuanced portrayals that are often absent in contemporary literature.
By bringing these narratives to the forefront, “Subjective Enactment” bridges a gap in contemporary fiction, offering a voice to men who don’t fit traditional molds while also encouraging broader audiences to reconsider their understanding of masculinity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Concord, Massachusetts, David Colin has spent much of his life in the Boston area. A graduate of Emmanuel College, he has written extensively in prose fiction, free verse, and collected tales. His works explore human introspection, identity, and societal roles, influenced by literary greats such as Beckett, Hesse, Kafka, and Pessoa.
AVAILABILITY & FURTHER INFORMATION
“Subjective Enactment” is available now on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Subjective-Enactment-David-Colin/dp/B0D6BDDV38
For more information about David Colin and his works, visit his Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Colin/author/B09FZQM7LJ
Publicity Contact:
Sheri Hoyte
Reader Views
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