Formentera; A Short Story

by Norman Ollestad

An Audible Original.
A captivating short story about The fraying relationship of a married couple and the messy exploration they find themselves in. They become bold, risky and a bit messy as they engage their fantasies as they each explore and discover what they long for and desire intimately.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

Audiobook

First published April 29, 2021

About the author

Norman Ollestad, a New York Times BESTSELLING author, studied creative writing at UCLA and attended UCLA’s undergrad Film School. His writing has appeared in Outside, Men’s Journal and Time. He is married and has two children—a son and daughter—and lives in Venice, California.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a short story and it took me 2 days to get through it. I just kept waiting to find anything to connect with and completely failed. I didn’t even like the characters enough to dislike them. The plot of the storyline had possibilities and that was my only positive. I considered not leaving a review since this was obviously not written for a reader like me but decided I should leave my honest opinion.

[lalalandreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way couples can manipulate each other can be dangerous, even if it starts out as a game.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted Short Story.

I’ve found Audible Originals to be a Hit-and-Miss experience, but this one worked. The premise was interesting and difficult to pull off but I think Ollestad succeeded. With just six characters, he spun an intriguing web in just a few pages.

He writes about the creative process taking place in the midst of a marriage on the brink and a faltering career, with underlying themes of insecurity, passion and manipulation running though all of it. Nicely done.

My only reservation was with Taylor Meskimen’s narration of the part of Anna. I felt she played the role in the voice of an excited teenager rather than an unhappy three year partner of a failing writer.

The writing was good and the rest of the characters were well played, so I’d give Formentera Four Stars. A satisfying read. ****

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good book...All I can say is GET OVER IT. WE have a woman who made a decision and is upset she had to make a decision. She needs to get over it..regardless of the decision, you were damned if you did or didn't. Second guessing is fine, but take responsibility for your decision---its noone else's fault...especially in todays BS world of "my body my choice". Can't have it both ways. Husband is an idiot too...both partners would do well to bascially slit their throats rather than pollute the world with their inability to find themselves. Go look in a mirror. Self fulfillment is an illusion--the day to day grind and mundane form of life and living is the only way to be fulfilled and is the sign of a true strong person---the ability to be boring, to live drudgery shows power of personality. To stay within the box, keep things in the closet is the mark of the strong...feelings, and the bs the characters go thru show them to be weak, losers. Book was well written, but people who seek experience or need to get out of their own comfort zone tend to be the weak minded persons more suitable to self termination for the good of the world......

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely setting, beautifully and atmospherically realized - if only Ollestad had chosen to populate it with more intriguing, less unlikable characters. No amount of pretty scenery could make me sufficiently interested in the jealousy- and resentment-fuelled sex lives of these two selfish, manipulative people.

[Julie Blackburn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author can unquestionably write. All the parts are there. I just didn’t like the story. Jim and Anna are both just terrible. They are written well enough to almost be believable, but their behavior was so selfish and lewd. I don’t think we are meant to love them, they are supposed to be flawed and complicated. I didn’t feel like I learned or had a good time though.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty steamy story!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a marriage in trouble and what it may take to save it

[madison lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

idk man this one didn’t vibe for me….

[Mangus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a strange little story

[Moushmi Radhanpara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don’t appreciate games in a relationship so might have not worked for me.

[Ericka · Rating 1 out of 5]

was not impressed with this crazy game between husband and wife in this quick listen.