What do you think?
Rate this book
One Sixth of a Gill
'A rare treat' - J.G. Harlond, author of 'The Empress Emerald' 'An eclectic mix - quite unputdownable' - B.A. Morton, author of prize-winning crime novel 'Mrs Jones'
Five-minute reads.
Meet people you will never forget: the night photographer, the gynaecologist’s wife, the rescue dog. Dip into whatever suits your mood, from comedy to murders; from fantastic stories to blog posts, by way of love poetry.
Fully illustrated by the author; Jean Gill’s original photographs are as thought-provoking as her writing. An out of body experience for adventurous readers. Or, of course, you can 'Live Safe'. Not for you the blind alley on a dark night, wolf-lope pacing you step for step as shadows flare on the walls.
Five-minute reads.
Meet people you will never forget: the night photographer, the gynaecologist’s wife, the rescue dog. Dip into whatever suits your mood, from comedy to murders; from fantastic stories to blog posts, by way of love poetry.
Fully illustrated by the author; Jean Gill’s original photographs are as thought-provoking as her writing. An out of body experience for adventurous readers. Or, of course, you can 'Live Safe'. Not for you the blind alley on a dark night, wolf-lope pacing you step for step as shadows flare on the walls.
156 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
51 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Jean Gill
45 books239 followersJean Gill is a Welsh writer and photographer living in the south of France with two scruffy dogs, a beehive named 'Endeavour', a Nikon D750 and a man. For many years, she taught English in Wales and was the first woman to be a secondary headteacher in Carmarthenshire. She is mother or stepmother to five children so life was hectic.
Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions.
Sign up for Jean's newsletter at www.jeangill.com for updates and a free book. If you review one of Jean's books you can add a dog to Jean's Readers Dogs Hall of Fame on her website. Contact Jean at jean.gill@wanadoo.fr with comments or questions. She loves to hear from readers.
Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions.
Sign up for Jean's newsletter at www.jeangill.com for updates and a free book. If you review one of Jean's books you can add a dog to Jean's Readers Dogs Hall of Fame on her website. Contact Jean at jean.gill@wanadoo.fr with comments or questions. She loves to hear from readers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 6, 2014
One Sixth of a Gill is an eclectic mix of writing, a veritable stew of short stories, poetry, brief essays, blog entries primarily reporting on the canine members of the author's family. Because of this mix I found my interest varied widely. While some of the blog reports were absolutely heartwarming, such as the rescue of the dog nicknamed Lou, the incidental reports on dog breeds were too specialized for this reader.
However, Gill's tribute to Lou's passing was really wonderful and was written so as to be applicable to any friend, any species. She describes her two dogs simply "being present" together.
When he [Lou] was ill, especially as he became worse,
she'd [Blanche] come in from guard duty and lie near him,
facing him, so they could look at each other. (loc 880)
And she adds:
If 'quality of life' (lack of) is the touchstone for
choosing euthanasia, then surely quality of life is
equally the touchstone for living. Not some construct
we call time. Not some linear motion. Lou was not chasing
the future. He was running because it was wonderful to run.
And for a while, we ran together. (loc 886)
She also provides a quote from Mark Rowlands (from The Philosopher and the Wolf) that says in part: "The most important way of remembering someone is by being the person they made us--at least in part--and living the life they have helped shape."
One of my favorite stories is titled The Big Issue and it is---a dog story. But more than that, it is also the story of a young boy and his parents and a beggar and how they all interact. I loved it. There were other stories that struck me too but this stood out for me.
I would like to see Gill put together a collection of pieces all on the order of the tribute to Lou and the story I mention above. I have a feeling it would be very good.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
However, Gill's tribute to Lou's passing was really wonderful and was written so as to be applicable to any friend, any species. She describes her two dogs simply "being present" together.
When he [Lou] was ill, especially as he became worse,
she'd [Blanche] come in from guard duty and lie near him,
facing him, so they could look at each other. (loc 880)
And she adds:
If 'quality of life' (lack of) is the touchstone for
choosing euthanasia, then surely quality of life is
equally the touchstone for living. Not some construct
we call time. Not some linear motion. Lou was not chasing
the future. He was running because it was wonderful to run.
And for a while, we ran together. (loc 886)
She also provides a quote from Mark Rowlands (from The Philosopher and the Wolf) that says in part: "The most important way of remembering someone is by being the person they made us--at least in part--and living the life they have helped shape."
One of my favorite stories is titled The Big Issue and it is---a dog story. But more than that, it is also the story of a young boy and his parents and a beggar and how they all interact. I loved it. There were other stories that struck me too but this stood out for me.
I would like to see Gill put together a collection of pieces all on the order of the tribute to Lou and the story I mention above. I have a feeling it would be very good.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 14, 2014
One Sixth of a Gill is truly a superb collection of reads. Clearing Out starts these shorts rolling, a poignant first story from Angela’s judicious point of view. A patchwork of clothes and smells to whet the senses, she must choose exactly what to wear. Something so completely ‘Angela’. I have to say I shed a tear after reading this as I did after reading The Dogs Who Walk Beside Us.
This collection is so deliciously diverse I’m hard pushed to label only one as a favorite. The Dog Who Cries Wolf for its nursery rhyme farmyard. A patou that knows the very worst of dangers and is a great white best friend. Going To The Dogs is so clever I had to read it twice. A story of vanity, outdoing many of the Struwwelpeter stories I once dared myself to read. But anything remotely ‘dog’ is a sure hit for me and this book is full of them. The Five Pillars, Lou’s Story, so many more scrummy canine treats and Aperitifs.
Divided By A Common Language had me in stitches. I can definitely resonate with this―with a smile and a wince now and then. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, deep and personal, where a bunch of daffodils is not the only thing that comes between two people. You can’t help but sense a residue of defeat and melancholy followed by a curious surge of gratitude.
To have had the experience of reading these translations, blogs, poems and shorts stories ―L’hiver, The Photograph and The Dogs Who Walk Beside Us, to mention a few―left me feeling extraordinarily grateful for being part of such a personal journey. It’s a book to savor because each page one will bring out a myriad of emotions you never knew you had.
This collection is so deliciously diverse I’m hard pushed to label only one as a favorite. The Dog Who Cries Wolf for its nursery rhyme farmyard. A patou that knows the very worst of dangers and is a great white best friend. Going To The Dogs is so clever I had to read it twice. A story of vanity, outdoing many of the Struwwelpeter stories I once dared myself to read. But anything remotely ‘dog’ is a sure hit for me and this book is full of them. The Five Pillars, Lou’s Story, so many more scrummy canine treats and Aperitifs.
Divided By A Common Language had me in stitches. I can definitely resonate with this―with a smile and a wince now and then. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, deep and personal, where a bunch of daffodils is not the only thing that comes between two people. You can’t help but sense a residue of defeat and melancholy followed by a curious surge of gratitude.
To have had the experience of reading these translations, blogs, poems and shorts stories ―L’hiver, The Photograph and The Dogs Who Walk Beside Us, to mention a few―left me feeling extraordinarily grateful for being part of such a personal journey. It’s a book to savor because each page one will bring out a myriad of emotions you never knew you had.
March 20, 2015
A veritable smorgasbord of delicacies!
I have often wondered why modern authors stick to one genre. In the good old days, we had folks who could write prose, poetry, fiction, history, and things in between. Thus my delight when I started reading Jean Gill’s “One Sixth of a Gill.” It crosses genres, and successfully so. The term smorgasbord comes to mind as one partakes of her offerings of short stories, poems, essays and blog posts in this book. And even by the end you cannot decide which element is the best. It might actually be the mix.
The dog stories run from the strange (Going to the Dogs) to the practical (Top Tips on Dog Adoption) and emotional/sentimental (Lou 2006-2014), and are enough to warm the heart of even a cat lover. And for balance, there is a story about bee-keeping thrown in!
Add a little taste of science about black holes, a treatise on language and some historical fact-checking, and you are always kept on your toes. This is without even mentioning the delightful poems and the lovely photographs, which could easily stand on their own.
We have a rare talent here, and I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes to…well, read.
I have often wondered why modern authors stick to one genre. In the good old days, we had folks who could write prose, poetry, fiction, history, and things in between. Thus my delight when I started reading Jean Gill’s “One Sixth of a Gill.” It crosses genres, and successfully so. The term smorgasbord comes to mind as one partakes of her offerings of short stories, poems, essays and blog posts in this book. And even by the end you cannot decide which element is the best. It might actually be the mix.
The dog stories run from the strange (Going to the Dogs) to the practical (Top Tips on Dog Adoption) and emotional/sentimental (Lou 2006-2014), and are enough to warm the heart of even a cat lover. And for balance, there is a story about bee-keeping thrown in!
Add a little taste of science about black holes, a treatise on language and some historical fact-checking, and you are always kept on your toes. This is without even mentioning the delightful poems and the lovely photographs, which could easily stand on their own.
We have a rare talent here, and I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes to…well, read.
November 2, 2014
This is an interesting and diverse mix of material that lends itself to be read however you like - from cover to cover, dip in for a poem or a short story, pick up the thread of a blog and follow it through... The writing is as diverse as the genre mix - light-hearted poems to make you smile, thought-provoking poems about life, the universe and everything... Jean Gill's writing is sharp and economical - she can pack a lot into 5 minutes! Her blog on Lou, the rescue dog manages to be both sad and uplifting and I loved the "let's argue about history" section that really got me thinking about what has changed in my lifetime. The photographs that illustrate some work are very effective too - especially if you have a colour display on your e-reader. Top marks for pulling off such a mixed collection - a brave undertaking which I think has paid off handsomely.
October 8, 2014
‘One Sixth of a (Jean) Gill’ is a stunning collection of five-minute reads for coffee-breaks, travelling or bed-time. Fantastic short stories, autobiographical extracts and the poetry of love and loss merge into blog extracts which trace the moving story of Lou, the rescue dog. Whether you want to argue about history, learn about bee-keeping , explore a Welsh Childhood or the beauty and culture of rural France, there is something for everyone in this delightful collection of short fiction and non-fiction.
October 16, 2014
This is an extremely eclectic mixture of short stories, poems and essays that give a real feel for things that have touched the author over the years and provide great coffee break treats for the reader and provide a variety of moods. My most favourite of all is the essays that are devoted to the moving story of her dog. Those essays are so heartfelt they can't help but speak to anyone who reads them, especially those with pets.
December 13, 2014
A wonderful creative book full of artwork, stories, and poems! This books touches and inspires. Full of creativity, it is so easy to be absorbed by the beauty found in art or words on every page. There is humor, a sense of fun, love, loss, and yearning to be found within. Each time I picked it up, I found new thoughts and emotions that resonated. I expect it will be a book I come back to again and again. Highly recommended.
May 1, 2015
At first glance this is a collection of stories, poems, blog pieces and articles but when you plunge into it a WOW factor kicks in. The poems are sublime, the tales are like poems. The blog pieces are interesting, especially the ground-truthing, as we remote-sensing nerds call it, of the 12th century history. Dog aficionados will find their bowls chock a block. In Going to the Dogs we have a fine lyrical narrative eg ‘the mirror had always been an untrustworthy friend... sniggered behind your back.’
This eclectic collection could be described as a literary e-magazine, one you can pick up and relish twenty minutes at a time, on the bus, a waiting room, when a spouse is nagging... and be oblivious within, allowing the world to spin on by.
Some poems are thoughtful translations while others are originals such as Park Statue, which culminates with ...
And if one night she smooths her hair
and twirls her skirt and dances barefoot
will the locked gates tell the stars?
My favourite is a poem Struck Down in Anger, Ward 39
Sample:
I have
told them my name,
the month, the year, the season;
listened to the words ‘table’ ‘apple’ dog’;
subtracted sevens from a hundred
till they grew bored at sixty-five
...
I know these tests for independent capability and dementia and I, like the woman in this poem, desired to escape the well-meaning, healthy, yet strangling confines of an institution. I was blues and twos ambulanced in the early hours to Lodgemoor (isolation) hospital near Sheffield having been struck down by a mystery virus. I couldn’t swallow and breathing became less than optional when my landlord checked on me. Two days and armfuls of penicillin later, I was fine—except that I was in a single-bed-glass ward, not allowed anything to read, nor visitors because they didn’t know what I had. After a week, the termination of my residency was far into the antiseptic mists of time so I planned my escape. With no shoes and no coat I traipsed across Ringinglow Bog to a road and blagged a ride on the number 51 bus into the city. They might still be looking for me although as that was in 1970 I somehow doubt it.
If only, in that ward, I possessed a copy of One Sixth of a Gill I would have been content to stay.
This eclectic collection could be described as a literary e-magazine, one you can pick up and relish twenty minutes at a time, on the bus, a waiting room, when a spouse is nagging... and be oblivious within, allowing the world to spin on by.
Some poems are thoughtful translations while others are originals such as Park Statue, which culminates with ...
And if one night she smooths her hair
and twirls her skirt and dances barefoot
will the locked gates tell the stars?
My favourite is a poem Struck Down in Anger, Ward 39
Sample:
I have
told them my name,
the month, the year, the season;
listened to the words ‘table’ ‘apple’ dog’;
subtracted sevens from a hundred
till they grew bored at sixty-five
...
I know these tests for independent capability and dementia and I, like the woman in this poem, desired to escape the well-meaning, healthy, yet strangling confines of an institution. I was blues and twos ambulanced in the early hours to Lodgemoor (isolation) hospital near Sheffield having been struck down by a mystery virus. I couldn’t swallow and breathing became less than optional when my landlord checked on me. Two days and armfuls of penicillin later, I was fine—except that I was in a single-bed-glass ward, not allowed anything to read, nor visitors because they didn’t know what I had. After a week, the termination of my residency was far into the antiseptic mists of time so I planned my escape. With no shoes and no coat I traipsed across Ringinglow Bog to a road and blagged a ride on the number 51 bus into the city. They might still be looking for me although as that was in 1970 I somehow doubt it.
If only, in that ward, I possessed a copy of One Sixth of a Gill I would have been content to stay.
March 30, 2015
This is an edited collection from the author's blog, a journal which is a mix of reflections, bits of poetry (including translations), here and there a photo. About ten percent of it consists of promoting other self-published books she has already generated. She seems like an interesting enough person--from the UK, lives in France, loves dogs and beekeeping--and here and there snippets of the poetry show talent and sensitivity. This is the sort of thing you might browse while waiting between flights in an airport or for your turn to get your hair cut at the barber/salon, when you don't feel like much intellectual engagement but just want some light diversion.
July 22, 2015
A fascinating mix of written works. There's a little something for everyone: poetry, blogs, short stories. I particularly enjoyed the story of Lou's adoption and integration into the author's family. As well, the pieces that dealt with culture and writing historical fiction were really interesting. Then, there's the piece "Going to the Dogs" that is just a little disturbing and still hangs with me.
I can definitely see why this compilation of pieces was named a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The short pieces add such a nice variety and makes this an enjoyable and easy read.
I can definitely see why this compilation of pieces was named a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The short pieces add such a nice variety and makes this an enjoyable and easy read.
April 28, 2015
Jean Gill has assembled a remarkable collection of pieces that will alternately make you gasp, fret, smile, laugh and ponder. The depth of her writing is impressive, especially given the poetic nature of the work. It is difficult to pull off, but Jean has done it.
I love when stories don't end the way you expect, and I even more enjoy when you don't understand the story completely until the last line or two. Jean is a master of this.
I certainly plan to seek out more of her work as I am sure I will be surprised and delighted by the tales.
I love when stories don't end the way you expect, and I even more enjoy when you don't understand the story completely until the last line or two. Jean is a master of this.
I certainly plan to seek out more of her work as I am sure I will be surprised and delighted by the tales.
October 28, 2016
" A terrific collection"
I have a confession to make. I'm not a dog lover. It didn't matter. Even though I freely admit to skipping through the canine capers, I still found plenty to enjoy among the collection of blog posts, observations and poems. In fact, I would buy this collection for the poetry alone, it was that good. Several of the other 'snippets' made me chuckle or even laugh out loud too. So, if you're a dog lover you'll be in clover.
I have a confession to make. I'm not a dog lover. It didn't matter. Even though I freely admit to skipping through the canine capers, I still found plenty to enjoy among the collection of blog posts, observations and poems. In fact, I would buy this collection for the poetry alone, it was that good. Several of the other 'snippets' made me chuckle or even laugh out loud too. So, if you're a dog lover you'll be in clover.
January 8, 2015
Here we have a collection of stories, poems and pictures varied enough to find at least one well liked among the lot. I like a few more than others and a few less than most. This is the way of things when it comes to collections and should be expected. Overall this is a decent read for passing time. I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2015
This book is receiving rave reviews and I concur. It includes poignant, tender and sometimes even whimsical poetry as well as engaging short stories. I was especially touched by the story of Lou, the dog. If you are a doggy lover and like short, to-the-point, stories, this book is for you.
December 15, 2014
A book of short stories and poems. also included several interesting photographs that complement the collection. Awesome read.
May 8, 2020
It's generally accepted that a writer always runs the risk of revealing something about themselves, though it may be heavily disguised. No disguises here: Jean Gill is very open about herself in this collection of poems, blogs, reminiscences, stories and so on. We learn for example, about her dogs (always a good thing to know about someone) about how she faces an interview, about bees, about writing historical novels, about the poems that speak to her and the photographs she likes.
And, since she is a talented wordsmith, who knows how to make things interesting or moving or amusing or sad, its a pleasant experience to share some of these things with her.
An ideal book for dipping into and reading the odd bit here and there.
And, since she is a talented wordsmith, who knows how to make things interesting or moving or amusing or sad, its a pleasant experience to share some of these things with her.
An ideal book for dipping into and reading the odd bit here and there.
February 1, 2020
Great stories about dogs, poems, pics and people made out of paper clips
As noted above, various forms of media in this book. Loved the dog stories, but sad the one only lived outside the shelter eight months. You gave him love.
As noted above, various forms of media in this book. Loved the dog stories, but sad the one only lived outside the shelter eight months. You gave him love.
April 19, 2020
An odd mish-mash full of poems and blog entries that seemed more like an author's journal than a book.
June 4, 2015
This book was recently entered and was a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Star Rating: 5 stars
Number of Readers: 31
Readers’ Comments
‘This, I thought, was a very enjoyable read. My favourite was Divided by a Common Language. Very funny. The style is light and very accessible and there is a wonderful mix of genre.’ Female, aged 45
‘In the crazy world we now live in, a book like this is perfect. It allows the reader to enjoy a ‘moment’ and then put the book down and revisit it later to enjoy a totally different ‘moment’. I often find books like this, that try to do so much, ending up doing very little. But this was different. The author is partiularly gifted with poetry.’ Female, aged 54
‘I enjoyed the photographs as much as the prose. A well put together book with a vast range of rhyme, history and prose to keep the avid reader amused and thoroughly engrossed.’ Male, aged 43
Stats
Of the 31 readers:
29 would read another book by this author.
7 felt the cover was not up to the job and needed work.
19 thought the best part of the book was the range of genre and quality of writing.
5 felt the photography was the best part.
‘A fantastic array of wonderful prose, from bee-keeping to Top Tips on Dogs! A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
Star Rating: 5 stars
Number of Readers: 31
Readers’ Comments
‘This, I thought, was a very enjoyable read. My favourite was Divided by a Common Language. Very funny. The style is light and very accessible and there is a wonderful mix of genre.’ Female, aged 45
‘In the crazy world we now live in, a book like this is perfect. It allows the reader to enjoy a ‘moment’ and then put the book down and revisit it later to enjoy a totally different ‘moment’. I often find books like this, that try to do so much, ending up doing very little. But this was different. The author is partiularly gifted with poetry.’ Female, aged 54
‘I enjoyed the photographs as much as the prose. A well put together book with a vast range of rhyme, history and prose to keep the avid reader amused and thoroughly engrossed.’ Male, aged 43
Stats
Of the 31 readers:
29 would read another book by this author.
7 felt the cover was not up to the job and needed work.
19 thought the best part of the book was the range of genre and quality of writing.
5 felt the photography was the best part.
‘A fantastic array of wonderful prose, from bee-keeping to Top Tips on Dogs! A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
September 10, 2015
Well worth the read.
It only took the beginning short pieces and the poem, Silk, to seduce me into Gill’s world. And what I found was a wonderfully creative writer, not afraid to take chances in her compilation of short pieces and poems. I could scan through again and list my favorites, but I believe those choices are best left with the reader. I will say, however, that nothing disappointed me. Each piece had its own charm, warmth (sections on Pyrenean Mountain Dogs), message, and/or smile as I paced myself through the mind of this author. I do not hesitate in recommending this collection.
It only took the beginning short pieces and the poem, Silk, to seduce me into Gill’s world. And what I found was a wonderfully creative writer, not afraid to take chances in her compilation of short pieces and poems. I could scan through again and list my favorites, but I believe those choices are best left with the reader. I will say, however, that nothing disappointed me. Each piece had its own charm, warmth (sections on Pyrenean Mountain Dogs), message, and/or smile as I paced myself through the mind of this author. I do not hesitate in recommending this collection.
June 4, 2016
I will always be 'currently reading' this collection of verse, stories, thoughts, and tales. There is something for every mood that reminds me of laughs I shared with my mother, family history, my best dog friends, places I've travelled or wanted to go. If I have a few minutes to spare, I'll grab this book first.
December 20, 2016
The first piece packs a poignant punch. I couldn't stop after reading it, and devoured each piece as if I'd been deprived of impressive words for years. Jean is a true wordsmith. She pulls on heartstrings, makes you laugh, and of course, makes you want to savour every word. A must-read to those who appreciate a carefully crafted sentence as much as a good story. A very talented author indeed.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews