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13th out of 99 books
—
12 voters
Cage Life
by
Karin Cox (Goodreads Author)
This collection of short stories by Karin Cox explores the choices and compromises we make in love, and how they can trap or liberate us depending on our mindset. Each story comes with an unexpected twist that makes reading all the way to the end imperative.
In "Cage Life," first published by [untitled] magazine in 2010 as "Still Life," a young mum feels like a prisoner in...more
In "Cage Life," first published by [untitled] magazine in 2010 as "Still Life," a young mum feels like a prisoner in...more
ebook, 34 pages
Published
July 18th 2011
(first published July 17th 2011)
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Author Karin Cox does a great job of allowing the reader into the life of a young lady who interacts with a young man named Damien. They soon find themselves involved sexually and she comes up pregnant. While this young baby doesn't have the best of environments to live in this couple tries to do what is right. Their past is filled with regrets and mistakes and soon this young girl’s friend comes over for an afternoon away from the baby and gets her high. This event will change the course of li...more
I was surprised by this book. The subject matter was incredibly dark – Uglier and grimmer than I was expecting. Both stories deal with serious subjects and are told using a no-nonsense type of prose that is succinct and strangely compelling. The writing and story execution is very well done, and the stories each critically examine different social issues at a personal level, though they both explore the idea of feeling trapped, unfulfilled and lonely.
I read the entire book in a single afternoon...more
I read the entire book in a single afternoon...more
Cage Life is an assemblage of two short stories; each providing a view of life as a woman, at least these women. Both stories are well-written and I enjoyed both. But Caged Life demonstrates the difference between novels and short stories.
One can write a novel that is good, maybe even excellent, but it can never equal the power of an equally good short story. Reading short stories is somewhat like being a miner. You dig through the rocks, perfectly good rocks. Many have value, some less so. But...more
One can write a novel that is good, maybe even excellent, but it can never equal the power of an equally good short story. Reading short stories is somewhat like being a miner. You dig through the rocks, perfectly good rocks. Many have value, some less so. But...more
More like 3.5 stars. This book included 2 short stories: Cage Life and Usurper. The first story is about a young married woman who feels like she's living in a cage. She takes a few hours out of her normal day to unwind a bit when the unthinkable happens. I won't say any more as it will ruin it for others.
In Usurper (second short story), an 80-something year old man has a much younger woman who was his care-taker before becoming his mistress. I'm not sure exactly how to explain this one...the st...more
In Usurper (second short story), an 80-something year old man has a much younger woman who was his care-taker before becoming his mistress. I'm not sure exactly how to explain this one...the st...more
This book consists of two stories, covering some rather dark subject matter.
The first one takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn, but ends on a note of hope.
The second story was my favorite of the two. It has a sort of sad magic to it. The surprise ending compelled me to return to the beginning and read the story again, seeing it from a completely different perspective. It’s kind of a special thing when a story can do that.
Brilliantly written, well executed stories. I’m looking forward to re...more
The first one takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn, but ends on a note of hope.
The second story was my favorite of the two. It has a sort of sad magic to it. The surprise ending compelled me to return to the beginning and read the story again, seeing it from a completely different perspective. It’s kind of a special thing when a story can do that.
Brilliantly written, well executed stories. I’m looking forward to re...more
Karin Cox worked as an editor in Australia and the UK before turning to writing full time. She has written dozens of titles including travel guides, poetry, children's books and fiction. Cage Life is an electronic publication containing two short stories that explore the common theme of love. I thought them both well structured within the constraints of the format, and elegantly written.
In the first story 'Cage Life', after which the book is titled, Cox thoughtfully explores the emotional restl...more
CRÍTICA
Li durante a maratona de 25 de Março de 2012 e atribuo-lhe quatro estrelas.
“Cage Life” surge combinada com outra história intitulada “The Usurper”. Gostei mais da primeira, pois era mais emotiva. Creio que a autora transmitiu bem os sentimentos que afligiam as personagens. É uma história dramática e o final deixou-me a ansiar por mais. Se fosse bem explorada (no sentido de se tornar uma narrativa mais extensa e aprofundada), daria um livro bem ao estilo de Nicholas Sparks e não lhe ficari...more
Li durante a maratona de 25 de Março de 2012 e atribuo-lhe quatro estrelas.
“Cage Life” surge combinada com outra história intitulada “The Usurper”. Gostei mais da primeira, pois era mais emotiva. Creio que a autora transmitiu bem os sentimentos que afligiam as personagens. É uma história dramática e o final deixou-me a ansiar por mais. Se fosse bem explorada (no sentido de se tornar uma narrativa mais extensa e aprofundada), daria um livro bem ao estilo de Nicholas Sparks e não lhe ficari...more
These extremely thought-provoking, emotive, eloquently written narratives will gift the reader with nothing short of a satisfying, mesmerising read. The stories are layered with meaning and questions will be asked – but Karin’s exceptional writing style subtlety gives clues that allow you to understand and appreciate the plots’ deeper interpretations. I highly recommend Karin’s work and have no doubt that any reader will enjoy delving into the stories she creates.
This is one of those books that make's a reader think about things that has happened in there life. It is a sad, crying, wonderful book. The author really captured the beginning and end of life in each story. I put it under my inspirational shelf because it could inspire a reader to change things in there life. Hope to read future work by this author. This is a free book in the Kindle store.
Cox is an eloquent and talented writer whose poetic prose in the two short stories of "Cage Life" draws the reader in. "Cage Life" is beautiful and heartbreaking, while "The Usurper" has a surprise ending that took me completely off-guard. Her descriptions are vivid and her characters are real. I'm looking forward to reading much more by Karin Cox.
This book is made up of 2 short stories. Like life, they both are just snapshots of a time in the lives of the characters, and both left me feeling sort of incomplete at the end. Both were good, but the second was the better one, in my opinion.
The book was 2 short stories I enjoyed the 1st one but the 2nd one just confused me until the end when you realize the main character wasn't what you thought he was.
Two wonderfully written stories by an author with a talent for beautiful prose. Sad subjects but a good, very quick read.
Very cool stories with a totally unexpected twist. Only drawback is I really wish there were more!
1 like · like · see review
Engaging characters in both novellas. Good stories.
Jan 23, 2013
Alonna Shaw
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers interested in behavior and having their heart strings pulled..
Recommended to Alonna by:
Indie Writer's Unite
Well written and engaging, both stories are reflections on life and loss and going forward. The second story, my favorite, kept me on my toes. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
Review to come soon
Apr 17, 2013
Leslieanne
marked it as to-read
Apr 13, 2013
Robin Nugent
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2013
Gina Elle
marked it as to-read
Mar 27, 2013
Serara
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Indie Exchang...: Cage Life Giveaway | 1 | 7 | Nov 15, 2012 07:07pm |
An incurable "word nerd," Karin worked as an editor in Australia and the UK for more than a decade before turning to writing fulltime. She is the published author of more than 28 titles, from travel guides, to natural history, to illustrated children's storybooks, creative non-fiction and fiction. Incapable of sticking to any single genre, whether writing or reading, she is currently writing a rom...more
More about Karin Cox...
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Feb 14, 2013 02:43am