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The Pieta in Ordinary Time is a collection of 16 atmospheric short stories that explore the dark side of the human condition, but not without at least a touch of grace. Reading these stories felt like a visit to the Twilight Zone (a whole season’s worth). “Imagine if you will,” a priest brought to his knees by a confession too despicable to conscience, a man taunted to madness by a destructive and vengeful bird, a young girl who insists she is pregnant with the Son of God. William Cook’s stories
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It's been a while since I read a short story collection, and, being out of the habit, I'd probably not have read this one if a friend hadn't gifted it to me. I'm so glad she did!
William J. Cook brings to his writing a keen intelligence, empathy, and a naturalist's enthusiastic and practised eye; but above all he shares his humanity, with both his subjects and the reader.
This is a great collection. I don't want to play favourites; every single piece in this collection is finely written. Nonethele ...more
William J. Cook brings to his writing a keen intelligence, empathy, and a naturalist's enthusiastic and practised eye; but above all he shares his humanity, with both his subjects and the reader.
This is a great collection. I don't want to play favourites; every single piece in this collection is finely written. Nonethele ...more
This is a staggering collection of 16 short stories which explore the darker side of the human condition: death, grief, mortality, mental illness, prejudice, abuse and so forth. It isn’t light reading, but it is powerful stuff: shocking, lurid, hopeful, uplifting.
It’s hard not to compare one story with another when reading a collection. In this case, I won’t say some stories are better than others. Here, some stories simply moved me more than others. Overall, they’re all very good. The title sto ...more
It’s hard not to compare one story with another when reading a collection. In this case, I won’t say some stories are better than others. Here, some stories simply moved me more than others. Overall, they’re all very good. The title sto ...more
Ordinary time. It’s what the Catholic church calls the bulk of its calendar year; the days and months outside the feasts of Christmas and Easter, and the penance and preparation of Advent and Lent. There is often nothing ordinary about it. It is a time of reflection, inspiration, hope, and sometimes despair. Much like the stories collected within the wonderful “Pieta in Ordinary Time.”
As I read each tale, crafted with wisdom and with empathy, I was left with the impression of a gentle stream, fi ...more
As I read each tale, crafted with wisdom and with empathy, I was left with the impression of a gentle stream, fi ...more
It is difficult to choose a favourite from these gritty short stories. All brilliant, you are transported to another world in each chapter. The opening 'The Last Refuge' is a Handmaid's Tale meets The Book Thief in a who can the protagonist trust? Who can the reader trust? Kind of way. 'Drum' is a funny and triumphant moment of motherhood. 'Oyster Drill' is an example of one of the many reasons I love reading - I did not know that. I could go on, I think you are getting the picture I am recommen
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Aug 15, 2017
J. Marie
marked it as to-read
