What do you think?
Rate this book
My Baby Shot Me Down
Authors:
Clarissa Angus
Katherine Black
Maggy van Eijk
Harriet Goodale
Deborah Hambrook
Claudine Lazar
Rachael Smart
Ruth Starling
Alison Wassell
Laura Wilkinson
Editor: Richard Penny
Ten new women writers showcase an exceptional collection of poetry and prose. An incendiary blend of cerebral and visceral, this anthology presents a broadened view of the personal, political and social spectra. The unsettling beauty of the language is rendered sharp and transgressive, shot through with high-calibre comedy.
Expect full-bodied and full-blooded.
Grey areas of the gender-jungle and identity are explored alongside matters of love, family, relationships and sex, making for stark writing that is vital, refreshing and life-affirming.
Clarissa Angus
Katherine Black
Maggy van Eijk
Harriet Goodale
Deborah Hambrook
Claudine Lazar
Rachael Smart
Ruth Starling
Alison Wassell
Laura Wilkinson
Editor: Richard Penny
Ten new women writers showcase an exceptional collection of poetry and prose. An incendiary blend of cerebral and visceral, this anthology presents a broadened view of the personal, political and social spectra. The unsettling beauty of the language is rendered sharp and transgressive, shot through with high-calibre comedy.
Expect full-bodied and full-blooded.
Grey areas of the gender-jungle and identity are explored alongside matters of love, family, relationships and sex, making for stark writing that is vital, refreshing and life-affirming.
- GenresPoetry
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 15, 2022
Nice mixed bag of stories and poetry, some were brilliantly crafted and others left me wanting more. Overall a good read.
June 22, 2014
My Baby Shot Me Down is a collection of poetry and prose by ten unknown women authors. Not unknown amongst their own circle of writing websites and competitions, but unknown to the majority of readers.
I came across this book as I know one of the authors; Alison Wassell. I don't know her ever so well, we met online via a book forum and have met in the flesh on a couple of occasions. Even though we've met and talked, and are Facebook friends, I don't really know who Alison is as a person. She's quiet and appears quite shy, she's not a loud gob-shite like me, she prefers to fade into the background. Having read Alison's stories in My Baby Shot Me Down, I now feel as though I know her a little better. Her writing is innovative and sharp and I have to dispute her own description of it. No, Alison, this is not 'light and fluffy', it really isn't.
Amongst the short stories in this collection, there is some poetry. I'm really not qualified to comment on whether the poetry is good, or bad. I hold up my hands now - I don't really 'get' poetry. I never have done. Sorry, but that's me being honest. All I can say however, is that the stories in this book are bloody good, so I'm sure poetry lovers will be pleased by what they find here too.
I really like these stories, I like all of them. It's obvious that these authors concentrate on short stories, their expertise and passion shines through in each and every one of them. I must admit that I usually choose short stories by authors that I am familiar with, those whose novels I enjoy, and I'm very often let down by them.
Some of these stories are pretty sad, dark and dare I say it; just a little bit depressing. There are some really strong emotions displayed here, and at times I felt as though I was intruding into the author's most secret thoughts. I'm not sure that any of the women who wrote these stories are aware of just how good they are, I get the feeling that some of them have a lot of self-doubt, and they express this in their writing.
There are some spots of humour, but it's pretty black humour. This is a collection of stories that really do touch a nerve at times. Intelligent and charming, witty and poignant - a collection to savour
I came across this book as I know one of the authors; Alison Wassell. I don't know her ever so well, we met online via a book forum and have met in the flesh on a couple of occasions. Even though we've met and talked, and are Facebook friends, I don't really know who Alison is as a person. She's quiet and appears quite shy, she's not a loud gob-shite like me, she prefers to fade into the background. Having read Alison's stories in My Baby Shot Me Down, I now feel as though I know her a little better. Her writing is innovative and sharp and I have to dispute her own description of it. No, Alison, this is not 'light and fluffy', it really isn't.
Amongst the short stories in this collection, there is some poetry. I'm really not qualified to comment on whether the poetry is good, or bad. I hold up my hands now - I don't really 'get' poetry. I never have done. Sorry, but that's me being honest. All I can say however, is that the stories in this book are bloody good, so I'm sure poetry lovers will be pleased by what they find here too.
I really like these stories, I like all of them. It's obvious that these authors concentrate on short stories, their expertise and passion shines through in each and every one of them. I must admit that I usually choose short stories by authors that I am familiar with, those whose novels I enjoy, and I'm very often let down by them.
Some of these stories are pretty sad, dark and dare I say it; just a little bit depressing. There are some really strong emotions displayed here, and at times I felt as though I was intruding into the author's most secret thoughts. I'm not sure that any of the women who wrote these stories are aware of just how good they are, I get the feeling that some of them have a lot of self-doubt, and they express this in their writing.
There are some spots of humour, but it's pretty black humour. This is a collection of stories that really do touch a nerve at times. Intelligent and charming, witty and poignant - a collection to savour
June 18, 2014
This is an accomplished anthology. But before I go any further, I have a confession: I don't feel qualified to review poetry. Therefore, all I can say regarding the poems is that I enjoyed reading them. The three that resonated for me the most were, 'Driving to Whitstable with my father' by Maggy van Eijk, 'Cracked Up' by Deborah Hambrook and 'I am your oyster lover' by Harriet Goodale.
The short stories were interesting and diverse. From contemporary issues, which tugged at the heartstrings: 'Guests' by Alison Wassell and 'Buried' by Laura Wilkinson, to a skilled faction piece that describes a Hibakusha survivor, 'Atomic' by Ruth Starling. There's a fantastic, futuristic story of a polluted world, 'Decisions' by Clarissa Angus, and a fable-like piece that preludes a painful reality, 'Mourning Glory' by Katherine Black. There are two cleverly constructed stories: 'Tissue Atlas' by Rachael Smart reveals narrative through a woman's scars, and 'Madagascar' by Claudine Lazar is a one-sided conversation that unravels character and situation brilliantly.
The thing that impressed me the most is although I had a personal preference for some pieces above others (as is always the case in anthologies) every one of the authors had something unique to contribute and each wrote at least one piece that I loved. Recommended!
The short stories were interesting and diverse. From contemporary issues, which tugged at the heartstrings: 'Guests' by Alison Wassell and 'Buried' by Laura Wilkinson, to a skilled faction piece that describes a Hibakusha survivor, 'Atomic' by Ruth Starling. There's a fantastic, futuristic story of a polluted world, 'Decisions' by Clarissa Angus, and a fable-like piece that preludes a painful reality, 'Mourning Glory' by Katherine Black. There are two cleverly constructed stories: 'Tissue Atlas' by Rachael Smart reveals narrative through a woman's scars, and 'Madagascar' by Claudine Lazar is a one-sided conversation that unravels character and situation brilliantly.
The thing that impressed me the most is although I had a personal preference for some pieces above others (as is always the case in anthologies) every one of the authors had something unique to contribute and each wrote at least one piece that I loved. Recommended!
November 2, 2014
An anthology of poetry and short stories by ten new women writers whose writing encompasses many observations on modern life and issues.
Some of the writing is tender and poignant, some is chilling in its acceptance of the inevitable, of an event that has occurred, of life; some is funny and sometimes there is a wicked and sometimes gleeful sting in the tail, a sadistic twist to the story.
Each short story or poem pins down modern life at its best and its worst, nothing is off limits; sex, love, death, relationships and all the sadness, glee, fear and dizzying confusion these things bring with them. Because the prose is short it gets to the heart of the matter succinctly and pointedly which makes it all the more poignant. The poems speak volumes of experience and feelings and it is not a big step to put your own emotions into the words you read.
There is something for everyone here, pick up and read from beginning to end, or do as I did and pick your way through the delightful works of these talented women as it takes your fancy, savour the poetry and think about the words.
A particular favourite of mine is ‘Tuppence’, a short tale that speaks reams of truth and I imagine has a plethora of like-minded people nodding in agreement even as they laugh at the tongue in cheek way it is written.
I also liked, although the emotions the story brings up are not really likeable, Alison Wassell’s ‘Gallivanting’, brief but speaking volumes, I’m sure I felt Anne’s heart drop as she hears the bully’s voice even as she puts a brave face on it for her proud parents. By comparison ‘Ashes’ though equally dark has a sly humour through it that lends it lightness.
I shall definitely be looking out for these names appearing in literature again.
Some of the writing is tender and poignant, some is chilling in its acceptance of the inevitable, of an event that has occurred, of life; some is funny and sometimes there is a wicked and sometimes gleeful sting in the tail, a sadistic twist to the story.
Each short story or poem pins down modern life at its best and its worst, nothing is off limits; sex, love, death, relationships and all the sadness, glee, fear and dizzying confusion these things bring with them. Because the prose is short it gets to the heart of the matter succinctly and pointedly which makes it all the more poignant. The poems speak volumes of experience and feelings and it is not a big step to put your own emotions into the words you read.
There is something for everyone here, pick up and read from beginning to end, or do as I did and pick your way through the delightful works of these talented women as it takes your fancy, savour the poetry and think about the words.
A particular favourite of mine is ‘Tuppence’, a short tale that speaks reams of truth and I imagine has a plethora of like-minded people nodding in agreement even as they laugh at the tongue in cheek way it is written.
I also liked, although the emotions the story brings up are not really likeable, Alison Wassell’s ‘Gallivanting’, brief but speaking volumes, I’m sure I felt Anne’s heart drop as she hears the bully’s voice even as she puts a brave face on it for her proud parents. By comparison ‘Ashes’ though equally dark has a sly humour through it that lends it lightness.
I shall definitely be looking out for these names appearing in literature again.
April 21, 2019
I loved the 6 first authors. Specially remarkable Alison Wassell, her ability to depict a huge range of feelings and behaviours in only to pages is just brilliant.
Highly recommended.
Mandatory to read in english.
Female intimacy <3
Highly recommended.
Mandatory to read in english.
Female intimacy <3
September 27, 2016
A gentleman should never tell who is favourite woman writer is. Mine is Claudine Lazar. She writes prose. I understand prose better than I understand poetry. Maggy van Eijk makes the mundane marvelous, but if you're are Smart as Rachel that's often made easy. I used to have this thing for Rachel Black's diaries, an unhealthy interest in other people's lives, but she's the author of a few books and the shorter stuff makes me yearn for more. They are all wordsmiths, quick to the hook. A gentleman will never say who shot him down. Find out for yourself.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews