What do you think?
Rate this book
That Sadie Thing
A couple break up on a rainy night; a runaway longs to go home; a woman finds comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a teenager feels oppressed by her father. All of the characters in these stories are trying to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them.
'That Sadie Thing and other stories' brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.
The paperback edition contains three bonus stories.
'That Sadie Thing and other stories' brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.
The paperback edition contains three bonus stories.
- GenresShort Stories
102 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2013
About the author
Annalisa Crawford
11 books81 followersAnnalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, and canine writing partner, Artoo. Her two sons have flown the nest, but still like a mention.
Crawford writes dark contemporary, character-driven fiction with a hint of the paranormal. As well as novels, she has had short stories published at Fairlight Books and Fictive Dreams.
Crawford writes dark contemporary, character-driven fiction with a hint of the paranormal. As well as novels, she has had short stories published at Fairlight Books and Fictive Dreams.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 6, 2013
I am not a massive fan of short story anthologies but found myself enthusiastically ripping my way through these too fast to really even do them justice! The stories are well-written, interestingly written and satisfyingly unpredictable. Each one is a little gem which should be savoured and possibly even re-read - certainly not gobbled down the way I did! The characters are unusual and well-drawn and I admit I wept a little at a couple of the stories. Reading these was a breath of fresh air. If you like something a little different, I thoroughly recommend them. My next stop is to read them again, more slowly this time, and to savour them properly.
April 23, 2013
Ever wonder what the guy on the other end of the creepy silent calls is thinking?
This is fantastic collection of short stories is wonderfully written. It's an intense exploration of human relationships. So many secrets and shocking truths. Haunting and riveting, I was captivated by Crawford's tight writing style and unique insights.
I can't wait to read more by Crawford in the future. She has completely won me over.
This is fantastic collection of short stories is wonderfully written. It's an intense exploration of human relationships. So many secrets and shocking truths. Haunting and riveting, I was captivated by Crawford's tight writing style and unique insights.
I can't wait to read more by Crawford in the future. She has completely won me over.
May 7, 2018
Really shows not to judge a book by its cover - I’d have never bought it otherwise. Really enjoyable collection.
May 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this selection of 11 stories.
That Sadie Thing: is a story about a victim who should have "played by the rules" and uttered just one "saturated scream" which would have "kept her alive." ~ Ha! I didn't see the twist coming in this one!
Irish Green: tells about a second chance at love for a reluctant loner who "doesn't talk to strangers" ~ I felt a sense of closure by the last line!
Beth: is the story of a boy... a girl... a party... a courtship... a bouquet... an engagement... a wedding... a marriage... some children... a man... an affair... then nothing... and finally, an "extraordinary angel" ~ This one tugged at my heartstrings... life is so unfair!
The Walking Dead: a squatter has a guitar for company, and an old man who helps her to make an important decision. ~ A sense of hope lingers... all is not lost!
Open Windows: in the story, life passes by, as a woman focuses on hanging onto memories of a relationship that ended before it began.~ It left me in a state of limbo... neither here, nor there!
Omelette: this is a beautiful and thought-provoking tale of friendship, both old and new, tied together by a painting and an omelette. ~ There is a friend for every reason and every season!
Shadows Of Autumn: this tale highlights the turbulent thoughts and memories of an anguished mother while she waits for news about her missing daughter. ~ The ending was a tug-of-war between relief and disappointment... and I'm still not sure which one triumphed!
Portrait Of The Painter: is about a long-standing, yet odd association between a quirky, spontaneous artist who is wrapped up in her own world; and a loyal, dependable man who is protective over her and seems to have accepted the relationship for what it is. ~ I get the impression that each one would be lost without the other!
The Girl Who Is Good: is about an outwardly demure and well-mannered young girl, who is tortured by a Jekyll-and-Hyde inner personality, and cold-hearted parents who think they know what's best for her. ~ I wondered about her mental condition... and that of her parents too!
Tasting The Grass: is basically about a one-night-stand behind a partner's back; but I think the other important theme is parental love and acceptance that is NOT unconditional, and the resulting uncertainty/confusion that plagues the recipient and manifests itself in different life choices that are made. ~ I doubt that the character knew what she really wanted!
Rain Dancing: this story focuses on the turning point in a relationship between a risk-taker type of woman who "dances in the rain", and a predictable man who is content to go to work everyday and watch television at night. ~ I couldn't help wondering whether the events signalled the end of their relationship or the beginning of a new-and-exciting-chapter!
That Sadie Thing: is a story about a victim who should have "played by the rules" and uttered just one "saturated scream" which would have "kept her alive." ~ Ha! I didn't see the twist coming in this one!
Irish Green: tells about a second chance at love for a reluctant loner who "doesn't talk to strangers" ~ I felt a sense of closure by the last line!
Beth: is the story of a boy... a girl... a party... a courtship... a bouquet... an engagement... a wedding... a marriage... some children... a man... an affair... then nothing... and finally, an "extraordinary angel" ~ This one tugged at my heartstrings... life is so unfair!
The Walking Dead: a squatter has a guitar for company, and an old man who helps her to make an important decision. ~ A sense of hope lingers... all is not lost!
Open Windows: in the story, life passes by, as a woman focuses on hanging onto memories of a relationship that ended before it began.~ It left me in a state of limbo... neither here, nor there!
Omelette: this is a beautiful and thought-provoking tale of friendship, both old and new, tied together by a painting and an omelette. ~ There is a friend for every reason and every season!
Shadows Of Autumn: this tale highlights the turbulent thoughts and memories of an anguished mother while she waits for news about her missing daughter. ~ The ending was a tug-of-war between relief and disappointment... and I'm still not sure which one triumphed!
Portrait Of The Painter: is about a long-standing, yet odd association between a quirky, spontaneous artist who is wrapped up in her own world; and a loyal, dependable man who is protective over her and seems to have accepted the relationship for what it is. ~ I get the impression that each one would be lost without the other!
The Girl Who Is Good: is about an outwardly demure and well-mannered young girl, who is tortured by a Jekyll-and-Hyde inner personality, and cold-hearted parents who think they know what's best for her. ~ I wondered about her mental condition... and that of her parents too!
Tasting The Grass: is basically about a one-night-stand behind a partner's back; but I think the other important theme is parental love and acceptance that is NOT unconditional, and the resulting uncertainty/confusion that plagues the recipient and manifests itself in different life choices that are made. ~ I doubt that the character knew what she really wanted!
Rain Dancing: this story focuses on the turning point in a relationship between a risk-taker type of woman who "dances in the rain", and a predictable man who is content to go to work everyday and watch television at night. ~ I couldn't help wondering whether the events signalled the end of their relationship or the beginning of a new-and-exciting-chapter!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2013
An amazing collection of short stories that will stick with you long after you've finished reading them. If you've read Annalisa's novella, Cat and The Dreamer, you'll already know of her exceptional creativity, and it continues to shine through in every single story in this book.
Read it, love it, tell your friends. Annalisa Crawford is a writer who is going places!
Read it, love it, tell your friends. Annalisa Crawford is a writer who is going places!
May 2, 2013
In this collection of short stories, there would have been many easy stopping points, yet I read "That Sadie Thing" in one sitting. The author's words swept me away and I lost myself in stories rich with compassion, heartbreak, and surprise.
This is a wonderful assortment of stories told in beautiful, thoughtful prose.
This is a wonderful assortment of stories told in beautiful, thoughtful prose.
June 2, 2013
Annalisa Crawford gives us glimpses into the lives of her characters and their relationships with others. These short stories are a mix of the eerie and haunting. They had a way of burrowing into my mind with their unique intensity. They were all amazing, but my favorites were “That Sadie Thing,” “The Girl who is Good,” and “Tasting the Grass.”
March 13, 2013
Tight, gripping short stories, some of which get under my skin and have me twitching for ages after reading them. Best to read a tale at a time, the better to digest each one. Enjoyed Crawford's icy style - recommended reading for lovers of the slightly off.
June 4, 2013
Annalisa first impressed me with "Cat and the Dreamer"...and she didn't let me down with "That Sadie Thing". Annalisa has such a amazing talent for words, her stories are like reading art. My favorite story was "Irish Green", but then I am a sucker for romance.
May 20, 2013
Annalisa knows just how to spellbind you in each story! Just when you think you know how the story will end...you're so wrong, and sometimes "dead" wrong! amazing stories!!
March 26, 2013
Hauntingly beautiful writing. The stories vary and the characters have issues, but Ms.Crawford's writing is quite lovely. You will keep clicking pages, ever onward to the next story.
August 22, 2017
Like all of the previous works I've read of Annalisa Crawford, this one charmed me with her prose. Simple phrases and gestures contain worlds and the relationships she builds between characters are layered and enduring.
My favorite pieces are probably the title story, That Sadie Thing, about the reasons behind a woman's desire to call others without starting a conversation, and The Omlete, about a woman regularly visiting a dinner after seeing her friend at a nearby hospital. They're simple pieces, but I can't help but love the tangle of emotion that lives under the day-to-day actions of the characters.
I always enjoy reading Annalisa Crawford's stories.
My favorite pieces are probably the title story, That Sadie Thing, about the reasons behind a woman's desire to call others without starting a conversation, and The Omlete, about a woman regularly visiting a dinner after seeing her friend at a nearby hospital. They're simple pieces, but I can't help but love the tangle of emotion that lives under the day-to-day actions of the characters.
I always enjoy reading Annalisa Crawford's stories.
October 9, 2017
Interesting and varied collection of short stories. A few make for slightly uncomfortablele reading, but they still held my attention.
October 3, 2021
A collection of dark and twisty, melancholy short stories. I devoured them in one sitting!
June 28, 2014
The cat and dreamer was the first book I read by Annalisa and to me she has just got better.
This collection of short stories has you caught and the book just can NOT be put down.
I can't say I had a favourite as I did enjoy all the stories in the book.
As she did in the other book she creates her stories brilliantly as she does her characters.
All I will say to you is don't try to guess the ending of any of the stories..............you will only be wrong!!
Well done Annalisa.
READ IT!!!
LOVED IT!!!
WRITE MORE!!!!
This collection of short stories has you caught and the book just can NOT be put down.
I can't say I had a favourite as I did enjoy all the stories in the book.
As she did in the other book she creates her stories brilliantly as she does her characters.
All I will say to you is don't try to guess the ending of any of the stories..............you will only be wrong!!
Well done Annalisa.
READ IT!!!
LOVED IT!!!
WRITE MORE!!!!
October 23, 2013
Crawford's writing is fantastic. It's amazing how much she can pull you in and make you care about a character in such a short amount of words. I really enjoyed this collection, so much so that I can't pick a favorite story!
December 26, 2013
**First-Reads Winner**
Great book full of short stories about human interaction.
I particularly enjoyed: 'That Sadie Thing', 'Beth', 'Omelette', 'My Mother's Mother's Mother', and 'Rain Dancing'.
Great easy read!
Great book full of short stories about human interaction.
I particularly enjoyed: 'That Sadie Thing', 'Beth', 'Omelette', 'My Mother's Mother's Mother', and 'Rain Dancing'.
Great easy read!
December 1, 2013
Crawford draws you in with vivid description and characters. Every story surprised me - sometime to the point of laughing out loud and saying, "oh! you got me!" And not too many writers can surprise me, so kudos!
May 20, 2014
The first story was very Edgar Allen Poe'ish. Most stories are very morose, and there were two that left me with a what the hell just happened feeling. BUT despite my usual desire for happy endings I did like this story collection.
July 25, 2013
Very well written. Loved the voice(s).
September 12, 2013
I really liked these stories. Each one of them made me see things from a different standpoint and gave me something to think about at the end. This is what all short stories should do.
October 2, 2019
My review can be found here: https://wallflowerwendy.wordpress.com...
November 28, 2014
Best contemporary short story collection I've read in a while. Short, readable, relatable stories. Brought tears to my eyes reading "Beth" on an elliptical. That fucking good dude.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews