Evangelista's Fan by Rose Tremain

by Rose Tremain

Evangelista's Fan and Other Stories Tremain, Rose

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Dame Rose Tremain is an acclaimed English novelist and short story writer, celebrated for her distinctive approach to historical fiction and her focus on characters who exist on the margins of society. Educated at the Sorbonne and the University of East Anglia, where she later taught creative writing and served as Chancellor, Tremain has produced a rich body of work spanning novels, short stories, plays, and memoir. Influenced by writers such as William Golding and Gabriel García Márquez, her narratives often blend psychological depth with lyrical prose.
Among her many honors, she has received the Whitbread Award for Music and Silence, the Orange Prize for The Road Home, and the National Jewish Book Award for The Gustav Sonata. She was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Restoration and has been recognized multiple times by the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. In 2020, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature. Tremain lives in Norfolk and continues to write, with her recent novel Absolutely and Forever shortlisted for the 2024 Walter Scott Prize.

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first short story collection from Rose Tremain I have read and it encapsulated everything I love about her writing.

The stories are an eclectic mix including a story about a young clockmaker who experiments with time and a historical story set during the Battle of Agincourt. These were brilliant stories but the ones which really shone for me were the more domestic, understated stories which handled topics of loss, grief and love through characters who felt real and recognisable. Tremain has a gift for characters who come to life off the page and these were present in every story which made the themes even more heartbreaking, moving and powerful.

A wonderful collection and I can't wait to read her other short story collections too.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed several of Rose Tremain’s novels; I was delighted to be given this opportunity to discuss a book of her short stories for this retrospective look at her life’s work.
Evangelista’s Fan is a collection of eleven short stories which serves to emphasise the enthusiasm, and the depth of writing that is synonymous with Rose Tremain. The storylines, all expertly written, stand alone; yet running through each narrative is a theme of love, longing, and a desire for completion. The stories cover a wide range of subjects, each fascinating in its own right, yet for me the stories with a historical composition fired my imagination, leaving me wanting more. I particularly enjoyed the title story Evangelista’s Fan set in Regency London, and The Crossing of Herald Montjoy which is set in 1415, during the battle of Agincourt. As with all Rose Tremain’s narratives the characterisation is excellent, her skilful crafting of each story line blends beautifully, and even though some of the stories are very short, the reader never feels cheated. I really enjoyed this dip into the work of such a talented writer, and if you have never read any of her work before, this book is a jolly good place to start.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of short stories, each one different, but all involving love and loss. Not exactly cheerful but there was often hope. The Crossing of Herald Mountjoy was my favourite.

[George Russell-Stracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a short story collection and Tremain is such a gifted teller. Succinct, original, modern and exciting. I would read most of these again.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most short story collections, some stories and better than others.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evangelista’s Fan is a collection of eleven short stories which serves to emphasise the enthusiasm, and the depth of writing that is synonymous with Rose Tremain. The storylines, all expertly written, stand alone; yet running through each narrative is a theme of love, longing, and a desire for completion. The stories cover a wide range of subjects, each fascinating in its own right, yet for me the stories with a historical composition fired my imagination, leaving me wanting more. I particularly enjoyed the title story Evangelista’s Fan set in Regency London, and The Crossing of Herald Montjoy which is set in 1415, during the battle of Agincourt. As with all Rose Tremain’s narratives the characterisation is excellent, her skilful crafting of each story line blends beautifully, and even though some of the stories are very short, the reader never feels cheated. I really enjoyed this dip into the work of such a talented writer, and if you have never read any of her work before, this book is a jolly good place to start.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything I’ve read by Rose Tremain and I particularly admire the versatility and panache of her short stories. Like her other collections, Evangelista’s Fan is a thoroughly good read, covering a wonderfully wide range of subjects from eighteenth century instrument makers, to a teenager’s loss of innocence in 1950s Cornwall, to a Nashville trailer park and the story of a French herald at Agincourt (for me, the stand out story in the collection). The other seven stories are as diverse and enthralling as those I have mentioned specifically. I read Evangelista’s Fan in the same week as Rose Tremain’s new novel, The Gustav Sonata, and I can’t wait to get my hands on that, now that my appetite has been whetted by these fantastic stories.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't normally read short stories, but I enjoyed this short collection. Most of the works were well written and interesting. The Unoccupied Room was probably the story that gripped me the most. One of those stories that you finish it and you're left speechless and wondering... That being said none of the other works had quite the same impact.

[Jeff Hobbs]

Read so far:

Evangelista's fan --
*The candle maker --
*Two of them --
The crossing of Herald Montjoy --
The unoccupied room --
Ice dancing --
Negative equity --
Bubble and star --
*John-Jin --
Trade wind over Nashville --
*Over--

[Rachel England-Brassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm okay but maybe I just read them too fast. Should short stories be read with a gap between each one or read like an express train?

[Kate Hinds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was really well written, but like most short story collections full of sad tales.

[Carlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A varied selection of short stories with varied locales and types of characters, but too many were dark, morbid and dwelling on the end of life.