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annegreen's review against another edition
3.0
Engaging with fiction is an entirely subjective experience, nowhere more so than in reading the short story. It's almost impossible to apply the so-called rules of novel writing to the short story form which makes reading collections like this one an intriguing experience, not least in discovering what is deemed in an editor's eyes "the best". By their very nature short stories are enigmatic. Things are understated, suggested, sketched with a faint pencil, making an art of the skilful omission. Withholding is as necessary a part of the story as showing, provided the reader comes to the experience with a mind energetic enough to fill in the gaps or is impressed enough by lyrical prose that meaning becomes subservient to the form. Sometimes however the writer takes the licence too far and the gap between concept and outcome is too vast for the reader to bridge. That was the case for me with several of these stories. Others like Rosalind Brown’s beautiful story, “General Impression of Size and Shape” and Sophie Wellstood’s “The First Hard Rain” were examples of the short story form at its best.
amalia1985's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
''After the rain, the last of the daylight came riding over Mynydd Mawr with the crows. The mountain choked on torrents of white water and the bracken smelled of its colour. From the shadows of the sycamore tree, the old horse emerged and nibbled at the edges of the puddles. The world had awakened again just in time for dusk.''
One of the best volumes of the series. These are my favourite stories in the collection.
General Impression of Size and Shape (Rosalind Brown : An adultery leading to break - up, narrated within the context of birds and their symbolism. A story written in haunting language.
When the Nightjar Sleeps (Andrew Michael Hurley) : A young boy is haunted by the death of his father and the mysteries of the moors.
The Sea In Me (Krishan Coupland) : The whimsical, bittersweet story of a young girl who tries to survive her mother's fixation on her future career. A tender tale, told in the distinctive, gloomy British style I adore.
Safe (Vesna Main) : A violent, yet extremely poignant story of abuse and revenge
Never Thought He'd Go : Four youths must face the consequences of the tragic mess they've created.
Later he heard of men seeking him by the fields and the canal, all the way to the river. It was lugged up with leaves, rotting pieces of wood from old boats, heads of elderflower glowing their clouds of white, cartons, dust, shadows and leaves, floating downstream.''
The Wind Calling (Deirdre Shanahan) : An atmospheric tale with a Romani touch of first love, summer freedom and the dreams of youth that are seldom fulfilled.
Is-and (Claire Dean) : The best story in the collection. A modern twist to the legend of the Changeling. What a terrific short film this would make!
This Skin Doesn't Fit Me Any More (Eliot North) : A mysterious story of a family that hides more than meets the eye and a deeply disturbed boy.
Language (Daisy Johnson) : Daisy Johnson creates one more masterpiece in a story of infatuation, motherly love, selfishness and the denial to move on.
One of the best volumes of the series. These are my favourite stories in the collection.
General Impression of Size and Shape (Rosalind Brown : An adultery leading to break - up, narrated within the context of birds and their symbolism. A story written in haunting language.
When the Nightjar Sleeps (Andrew Michael Hurley) : A young boy is haunted by the death of his father and the mysteries of the moors.
The Sea In Me (Krishan Coupland) : The whimsical, bittersweet story of a young girl who tries to survive her mother's fixation on her future career. A tender tale, told in the distinctive, gloomy British style I adore.
Safe (Vesna Main) : A violent, yet extremely poignant story of abuse and revenge
Never Thought He'd Go : Four youths must face the consequences of the tragic mess they've created.
Later he heard of men seeking him by the fields and the canal, all the way to the river. It was lugged up with leaves, rotting pieces of wood from old boats, heads of elderflower glowing their clouds of white, cartons, dust, shadows and leaves, floating downstream.''
The Wind Calling (Deirdre Shanahan) : An atmospheric tale with a Romani touch of first love, summer freedom and the dreams of youth that are seldom fulfilled.
Is-and (Claire Dean) : The best story in the collection. A modern twist to the legend of the Changeling. What a terrific short film this would make!
This Skin Doesn't Fit Me Any More (Eliot North) : A mysterious story of a family that hides more than meets the eye and a deeply disturbed boy.
Language (Daisy Johnson) : Daisy Johnson creates one more masterpiece in a story of infatuation, motherly love, selfishness and the denial to move on.