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The Cottage and its Lady
She helps me up to my front porch. We take the first step.
"Have you bought things for cooking?"
Then, another. "Maybe something for a grandchild?"
The door is in front of me now.
"A friend?"
I can feel her hand lingering next to mine, as if she is almost ready to reach for it.
I take three steps forward to reach my cottage. Without looking back I say, "No. There is only me."
The lady has been living in her cottage for as long as she has been old. On Tuesdays she buys her groceries, on Thursdays she walks, and she never misses a sunrise. She is satisfied with her routine and her solitude, though she appreciates the occasional company of kind strangers. The lady soon discovers, however; that unexpected company is not quite the same. But neither is it as terrifying as she imagines.
Said of The Cottage and its Lady as a winning entry of the Spring 2015 Literary Arts Prizes at Brown University:
"Part fairly tale, part ghost story, part noir, part bizarre coming of age story -- an odd page turner, "The Cottage and its Lady" intrigues with its disarming voice and the hyper-clarity of its strange, crystalline narrative. It is consistently surprising and remains in the mind long after it is read. A risky and magical work."
"Have you bought things for cooking?"
Then, another. "Maybe something for a grandchild?"
The door is in front of me now.
"A friend?"
I can feel her hand lingering next to mine, as if she is almost ready to reach for it.
I take three steps forward to reach my cottage. Without looking back I say, "No. There is only me."
The lady has been living in her cottage for as long as she has been old. On Tuesdays she buys her groceries, on Thursdays she walks, and she never misses a sunrise. She is satisfied with her routine and her solitude, though she appreciates the occasional company of kind strangers. The lady soon discovers, however; that unexpected company is not quite the same. But neither is it as terrifying as she imagines.
Said of The Cottage and its Lady as a winning entry of the Spring 2015 Literary Arts Prizes at Brown University:
"Part fairly tale, part ghost story, part noir, part bizarre coming of age story -- an odd page turner, "The Cottage and its Lady" intrigues with its disarming voice and the hyper-clarity of its strange, crystalline narrative. It is consistently surprising and remains in the mind long after it is read. A risky and magical work."
- GenresContemporary
138 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2014
This book was awesome! Watch my review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uPF_...
June 7, 2014
this book was wonderful. it was beautifully written and I felt like the pace of the story was very calming. it was a little bit mysterious it and cute and sweet and you should read it.
June 27, 2015
I loved this book! The way the narrator was written was very convincing when it came to the voice of an elderly woman; the pacing was very steady and relaxing, very accurate when considering the life of an elder. This book made me think, specifically about the topic of dementia. Overall, a great novella that I wouldn't hesitate to reread!
Rating: 5/5 star sandwiches
Rating: 5/5 star sandwiches
November 1, 2014
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq1X1...
December 31, 2016
I definitely want to re-read this book. I feel like I could get even more out of it if I read it again. It was really good guys!!!
October 12, 2014
(y) Definitely recommend for a read that makes you think.
January 4, 2015
4.5
This is a very unique story and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The writing is so calming and easy to read, but it maintains a sense of beauty. Normally simple and beautiful are not words I pair together for a writing style. The characters are few, but they are very interesting, especially the main character. I don't want to say much about plot, as the synopsis is vague for a good reason. Even though Goodreads says I read this in a few days, I read it in 2 sittings. Highly recommend if you want something quick and different from what you might usually read. I look forward to anything she might publish in the future! :)
This is a very unique story and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The writing is so calming and easy to read, but it maintains a sense of beauty. Normally simple and beautiful are not words I pair together for a writing style. The characters are few, but they are very interesting, especially the main character. I don't want to say much about plot, as the synopsis is vague for a good reason. Even though Goodreads says I read this in a few days, I read it in 2 sittings. Highly recommend if you want something quick and different from what you might usually read. I look forward to anything she might publish in the future! :)
October 20, 2014
I really loved reading The Cottage and its Lady. It was an easy read, and I found myself so engrossed in the plot that I finished the novella in one afternoon. It was different to what I may have chosen to read normally, but with that being said, I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a bit different that won't take too long to finish.
January 23, 2015
The Cottage and its Lady is a debut novella written with beautiful detail. The condition of dementia is handled in an interesting and thoughtful manner. The main character struggles to find a balance between the comfort of routine and the thrill of novelty. In my opinion, this author has a promising future.
January 2, 2015
This was a lovely crafted story! The writing was beautiful. It was a calming read and the writing had a nice reflective atmosphere. You are one of my favorite people to watch on YouTube and it was great to read your writing! Congratulations on your debut novel!
January 31, 2015
This novella was fantastic. The writing was just phenomenal, and I cannot wait to read more from his author.
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November 18, 2019The writer passed away on Nov 14 2019, following an overdose of medications.
She was 23.
May you rest in peace, Beatrice.
She had genetic predisposal to suicidal depression.
Her mother and grandma also committed suicide.
She was 23.
May you rest in peace, Beatrice.
She had genetic predisposal to suicidal depression.
Her mother and grandma also committed suicide.
July 20, 2015
I was sent a copy of this book by my booktube friend Beatrice, who also just so happens to the the author of this book! I'm so incredibly proud of her for writing and publishing this book. Many people have dreams, but they seldom go out and make them happen for themselves.
Beatrice has a very simplistic way of writing, which is really different from the busy writing that I've been reading recently. It took me a while to get into it because simple writing was coming off as a slow plotline, when really it wasn't. It was the fact that it was different from what I had been reading. The old lady in the cottage had a very interesting thought process and I liked reading and seeing what she was thinking. I found it quite interesting.
This story really intrigued me. I cannot wait to read more from Beatrice. I see her going many places as an author.
Beatrice has a very simplistic way of writing, which is really different from the busy writing that I've been reading recently. It took me a while to get into it because simple writing was coming off as a slow plotline, when really it wasn't. It was the fact that it was different from what I had been reading. The old lady in the cottage had a very interesting thought process and I liked reading and seeing what she was thinking. I found it quite interesting.
This story really intrigued me. I cannot wait to read more from Beatrice. I see her going many places as an author.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews