The Sand People: a collection of magical realism and other stories

by J A Croome

The insightful and intimate stories in THE SAND PEOPLE meander through hope and despair, loss and triumph, and the distance between longing and belonging. The Wedding explores the love of a man for an unusually silent woman. In The Sand People, a down-on-his-luck salesman is saved by a marching column of ants. Mermaids, refugees, lost children, and a man returning to the land of his ancestors blur the lines of otherwise ordinary lives by reaching into otherworldly spaces to explore the everyday struggles of identity, loss, and the aching desires of our hearts. Heavily steeped in Africa's feral heat, THE SAND PEOPLE ventures beyond the continent's frontiers into a world where the landscape differs, but our common humanity transcends cultural differences.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2024

About the author

J A Croome lives and writes in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her dissertation for her Master of Arts degree explores the creative process of prose fiction.

Croome co-authored the nonfiction book "Street Smart Taxpayers" (Juta Law, 2017) with her late husband, Dr. Beric Croome.

Previously writing fiction and poetry as Judy Croome, her books "the dust of hope (rune poems)" (Aztar Press, 2021); "Drop by Drop (poems of loss) (Aztar Press, 2020); "a stranger in a strange land" (Aztar Press, 2015); “The Weight of a Feather & Other Stories” (Aztar Press, 2013), “a Lamp at Midday” (Aztar Press, 2012) and “Dancing in the Shadows of Love” (Aztar Press, 2018, 2012, 2011) are also available.

Judy Ann’s short stories, poems and articles have appeared in various magazines, anthologies and newspapers, such as The Sunday Times, The Huffington Post (USA) and the University of the Witwatersrand’s Itch Magazine. In 2021 and 2016, Judy Ann was the poetry judge for the Writers2000 (South Africa) annual poetry competition and, in 2021, presented "The Gift of Poetry" to Writers2000 (South Africa).

Join her on Instagram @judy_croome or visit her on www.judycroome.com

Reviews

[Ev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated the underlying themes of being authentic to oneself and respecting nature and the world around us. There were some stories I didn't particularly care for but only one I genuinely didn't like, and that was only because I couldn't stand the main character. However there were also some stories that I loved and that will stay with me for a while. Under Blue Waters in particular is one of the best short stories I've ever read. It is eloquently written, the characterization is amazing and its message is one that desperately needs to be heard. Girl Wonder is very similar, raw and honest and beautiful and I'm so glad I got to read it. I also enjoyed all three parts of In The Country Of The Free and wish they were longer.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of stories explaining how people survive in the sands of Africa. Each one will take you on a very different journey. Brilliant
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Bronte Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy for free via BookSirens and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Where to start with this collection of stories? I was initially going to give it 4 stars, but as I went on making notes for a review I realised I couldn't possibly give it less than 5.

There's such a rich mixture here but all linked by the same warm voice.

Some are re-tellings of traditional tales or possibly fables; some are based on true events that sent me off on internet searches for more information. Some are whimsical while others have a gritty realism, all are extremely evocative.

At first I felt slightly adrift as there wasn't always a clear sense of time or place. It's something of a failing of mine - needing to know specifics - but I gradually came to realise those details weren't important to the message of the stories concerned and the lesson within the tale could be understood without them. The writing is beautiful throughout and feels carefully measured whilst still remaining natural. The only thing I'd change would be to split up the three parts of "In the Country of the Free" as I quite enjoy the surprise of revisiting a theme within a collection but that is obviously just a personal quirk. Not only did I enjoy this entire book but I learned a lot too. Highly recommend.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The seventeen short stories are:
- The Sand People
- The Seventh Silence
- Under Blue Waters
- The Wedding
- In the Country of the Free Part 1: The Homeland
- In the Country of the Free Part 2: The Journey
- In the Country of the Free Part 3: The Free
- Escaping the Thunderbolt
- The Returning
- The Blue Mountains
- The Shining of Light
- Girl Wonder
- Who Let the Dog Out
- The Leopard and the Lizard
- Call Him Kate
- The Cave Dweller
- Where The Wind Talks

The stories explore people from all walks of life experiencing different emotions and feelings, resulting in happiness or sadness. These are not visual stories as they delve into the characters' mental state, making for a difficult read. These short stories are not casual.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short stories, some magical realism, some just realistic. As with any collection of short stories, I had my favourites, such as Under Blue Waters and the title story The Sand People. These stories were easy to read, and I found I kept on wanting to read the next story. There were profound moments of wisdom in the stories. JA Croome writes with a lyrical subtlety, and I found myself re-reading certain sections to absorb the gentle wisdom. I've made notes of quotes that resonated with me. A great read for a busy modern life, as there's a good mix of story lengths, from very short ( 2 pages) to long (about 40 pages).