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The Necklace and Other Stories
Nine short stories about American life, unrequited love, familial distrust, and unfair parental control, and a novella, Sister Carrie, where cultures clash and humans survive with caring and selflessness overcoming the default of violence and destruction. Each story rich with unique characters proving they have the will to survive life's most difficult obstacles, and discover their own capabilities to affect their own destinies.
252 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2012
290 people want to read
About the author
William H. Coles
20 books189 followersI am the owner and developer of the website Story in Literary Fiction as well as several mobile applications. I've written all of the content on my website: short stories, novels, essays, interviews and produced downloadable-audio readings of stories. I've also written several novels. My interviews include: prominent authors, educators, writers and editors.
In addition, I'm the producer and reader of audiobooks: Open Book Audio. Finally, I provide a free online workshop for fiction authors and a tutorial.
In addition, I'm the producer and reader of audiobooks: Open Book Audio. Finally, I provide a free online workshop for fiction authors and a tutorial.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 19, 2013
First off, let me say that I won this book through a first-reads giveaway. Now, on with the review!
Things I like:
*The characters were unique and fun. Coles created some very interesting, and some sad, stories that are only possible due to the amazing characters he has made up. He has the gift that many authors lack: he is able to make his characters seem so real, and so genuine, that it's nearly impossible to get bored with his book.
*The stories in this book are Contemporary (more realistic), and surprisingly they were very good. Normally contemporary stories aren't that interesting to me, but I have to say Cole did a very good job in writing his stories so that they are interesting for the teenage crowd as well as older adults.
What I did not care for:
*There's not much I can say about what I disliked. The book is exactly as described: a collection of short stories. Some of the stories I feel could easily be turned into novels, and I have to say I was left a little agitated that they were so short. However, Coles did exceed my expectations with this book, and made me crave more.
Overall: I defiantly like this book. It was fun to read, and not once did I get bored with it or feel like it was a chore to finish. It made me not only interested in seeing what else Coles has to offer, but it also made me want to read other Contemporary books.
Would I recommend? Yes! I recommend this book to people who like Contemporary stories, or those who are just looking for a good book to curl up with. It is well written and very easy to stay interested in.
Would I read it again? You bet!
Am I going to read more of Coles’ stories? I sure plan on it :)
Now let me say that I am not a professional critic. (There are such people right?) I am just a teenager who loves to read and to talk about the books that capture my interest (even if it does so in a negative way).
Things I like:
*The characters were unique and fun. Coles created some very interesting, and some sad, stories that are only possible due to the amazing characters he has made up. He has the gift that many authors lack: he is able to make his characters seem so real, and so genuine, that it's nearly impossible to get bored with his book.
*The stories in this book are Contemporary (more realistic), and surprisingly they were very good. Normally contemporary stories aren't that interesting to me, but I have to say Cole did a very good job in writing his stories so that they are interesting for the teenage crowd as well as older adults.
What I did not care for:
*There's not much I can say about what I disliked. The book is exactly as described: a collection of short stories. Some of the stories I feel could easily be turned into novels, and I have to say I was left a little agitated that they were so short. However, Coles did exceed my expectations with this book, and made me crave more.
Overall: I defiantly like this book. It was fun to read, and not once did I get bored with it or feel like it was a chore to finish. It made me not only interested in seeing what else Coles has to offer, but it also made me want to read other Contemporary books.
Would I recommend? Yes! I recommend this book to people who like Contemporary stories, or those who are just looking for a good book to curl up with. It is well written and very easy to stay interested in.
Would I read it again? You bet!
Am I going to read more of Coles’ stories? I sure plan on it :)
Now let me say that I am not a professional critic. (There are such people right?) I am just a teenager who loves to read and to talk about the books that capture my interest (even if it does so in a negative way).
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October 8, 2013wow
November 17, 2013
A good collection of short stories, wish some would have gone on longer. I won this book in a goodreads first-read giveaway.
November 25, 2013
In the past I have never taken the opportunity to read more than a few collections of short stories and rarely collections by the same author. Uncertain of what to expect, I read every one of William H. Coles' stories from 'The Necklace and Other Stories', a book I received as a First Reads giveaway. Each story espoused a single idea, illustrated a common human weakness, or described an emotion we all feel at one time or another. I liked that none of the stories were simply repeats of previous ideas. Also, I enjoyed the contrasting size of the stories; some were very short, just a few pages, and other were several chapters in length.
Now I'm not sure if all well written short stories are created like this,..but Mr. Coles has a great ability to capture a snapshot of what could be termed 'the middle of a larger story'. There are no cliche 'Once upon a times' to begin nor 'They lived happily ever afters' at the end with these stories. Every story caused me to reflect upon the past events that might have prefaced the chapter at hand, and to contemplate the possible details for the characters in the future. I suppose that defines an effective story. Not every story was beautiful and heartwarming, but then again a story that explores distrust and betrayal shouldn't be warm and fuzzy. It should make the reader think and feel...and perhaps better understand the emotions described. For me, this was the reward of each story,..plenty of food for thought, and I believe this will be the same benefit for other readers. I can offer only praise for this book and hope that others will agree with my recommendation.
Now I'm not sure if all well written short stories are created like this,..but Mr. Coles has a great ability to capture a snapshot of what could be termed 'the middle of a larger story'. There are no cliche 'Once upon a times' to begin nor 'They lived happily ever afters' at the end with these stories. Every story caused me to reflect upon the past events that might have prefaced the chapter at hand, and to contemplate the possible details for the characters in the future. I suppose that defines an effective story. Not every story was beautiful and heartwarming, but then again a story that explores distrust and betrayal shouldn't be warm and fuzzy. It should make the reader think and feel...and perhaps better understand the emotions described. For me, this was the reward of each story,..plenty of food for thought, and I believe this will be the same benefit for other readers. I can offer only praise for this book and hope that others will agree with my recommendation.
November 23, 2013
I received The Necklace and Other Stories through a Goodreads giveaway.
Normally, I love short story collections, but this did not appeal to me. Other than the last story in the book, they all seemed to meander purposelessly and end abruptly. Most had no logical conclusion; they simply... ended. In general, the characters came off as one-dimensional and unlikeable.
To me, the true strength of a story are it's characters. I cannot name one character in The Necklace and Other Stories that could be labelled "protagonist", with the possible exception of Marion from "The Cart Boy" and the title character from "Big Gene". Even in those stories, the other characters are one-dimensional and lack empathy. As another reviewer pointed out, the "villain" in "The Cart Boy", a wealthy and uncaring grocery store manager, is even named "Mr. Rich".
Disturbingly, several of the main characters complain indirectly about women who do not directly appear in the stories, calling them "chubby", as if that is the penultimate insult. The book was riddled with grammatical errors, many of them repeated throughout the various stories, leading me to believe they were not simply typos. These grew worse as the book progressed, and the final story felt rushed and incomplete despite its length. Definitely not my cup of tea.
Normally, I love short story collections, but this did not appeal to me. Other than the last story in the book, they all seemed to meander purposelessly and end abruptly. Most had no logical conclusion; they simply... ended. In general, the characters came off as one-dimensional and unlikeable.
To me, the true strength of a story are it's characters. I cannot name one character in The Necklace and Other Stories that could be labelled "protagonist", with the possible exception of Marion from "The Cart Boy" and the title character from "Big Gene". Even in those stories, the other characters are one-dimensional and lack empathy. As another reviewer pointed out, the "villain" in "The Cart Boy", a wealthy and uncaring grocery store manager, is even named "Mr. Rich".
Disturbingly, several of the main characters complain indirectly about women who do not directly appear in the stories, calling them "chubby", as if that is the penultimate insult. The book was riddled with grammatical errors, many of them repeated throughout the various stories, leading me to believe they were not simply typos. These grew worse as the book progressed, and the final story felt rushed and incomplete despite its length. Definitely not my cup of tea.
February 4, 2014
I got this book through first reads giveaway.
I am huge fan of the saying "If a book is well written it is too short." This is one of the reasons why I'm not a huge fan of short stories. I'm always left thinking "Well then what happened?" I found the characters very engrossing. The stories were perfect for me and my time life because I could read one then set the book down when the story was over and walk away from it. All in all it probably took mean about 3 months to read all the stories but I was also reading other things in between and dealing with some family issues. If you have never read short stories I would suggest thinking about starting with this book they're simple stories that will definitely enchant you. I will be looking for something a little longer from the author to read in the future.
I am huge fan of the saying "If a book is well written it is too short." This is one of the reasons why I'm not a huge fan of short stories. I'm always left thinking "Well then what happened?" I found the characters very engrossing. The stories were perfect for me and my time life because I could read one then set the book down when the story was over and walk away from it. All in all it probably took mean about 3 months to read all the stories but I was also reading other things in between and dealing with some family issues. If you have never read short stories I would suggest thinking about starting with this book they're simple stories that will definitely enchant you. I will be looking for something a little longer from the author to read in the future.
February 27, 2014
**Received via Goodreads Giveaways**
I really didn't remember entering this giveaway. I'm not a huge fan of short stories, unless they're horror or are all tied together.
What tied these stories together was loss. A deep profound loss in each story. Sometimes in the beginning, sometimes at the end.
They were all decent stories, more literary than I usually like. The last story was my favorite, probably because it was more like a novella.
I really didn't remember entering this giveaway. I'm not a huge fan of short stories, unless they're horror or are all tied together.
What tied these stories together was loss. A deep profound loss in each story. Sometimes in the beginning, sometimes at the end.
They were all decent stories, more literary than I usually like. The last story was my favorite, probably because it was more like a novella.
January 17, 2014
I won this as a first reads giveaway. I immediately read the necklace and enjoyed the story and message. I then read The Golden Flute and The Amish Girl and was not fond of either story so did not read any more for awhile. I finally finished all the stories and can honestly say I was not drawn to the writers style. I felt some of the stories were dark. I do not expect books to all have a happy ending I just did not like most of the stories.
February 13, 2015
This was a GoodReads win. I enjoyed all of the stories.
Especially enjoyed the characters - very unique and interesting. Each story had unique and well developed characters.
I picked this book up a 2nd time, last night, and re-read several of the stories. An excellent collection.
Especially enjoyed the characters - very unique and interesting. Each story had unique and well developed characters.
I picked this book up a 2nd time, last night, and re-read several of the stories. An excellent collection.
January 11, 2014
All of the stories were wonderful. They each show that life can be unbearably ugly and unbelievably beautiful. It is also a very quick read, which means it is excellent for those with busy lives. All in all, I had a lot of fun with the book, which I got as a free giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews