**spoiler alert** I am not a big fan of multiple narrators as I cannot keep up with so many shifts, this novel also shifted into the future, present a**spoiler alert** I am not a big fan of multiple narrators as I cannot keep up with so many shifts, this novel also shifted into the future, present and the past so more flicking back and forth! I did not like the characters of Claudette and Daniel and didn't quite "get" Daniel and why he was such a fool and why Claudette ended the marriage. I really enjoyed the last few chapters where they were surveying their broken marriage. The novel was well written, cannot fault its use of language. It was a just ok book for me....more
Loved. The first few stories in this collection by Australian fiction god are perfect examples of what short story writers do best. Perfection in emotLoved. The first few stories in this collection by Australian fiction god are perfect examples of what short story writers do best. Perfection in emotional writing, a simple story with a dagger of an end. All in a couple of pages! His last story, of the name of the collection, Scission is written in a present, back and forth to past and present style which builds up in a horrid way. I absolutely loved this collection, there is not on bad story. Tim is my new lit-crush....more
**spoiler alert** First story made me feel hopeless. Then, the second better and then each story after this got more and more excellent! Edna is wise a**spoiler alert** First story made me feel hopeless. Then, the second better and then each story after this got more and more excellent! Edna is wise and detailed writes about some unique and sad characters. I really enjoyed this collection. ...more
Loved this! Could actually not put down. I read it every night until I was done. 3 chapters divide the book withn 3 very different voices, narration aLoved this! Could actually not put down. I read it every night until I was done. 3 chapters divide the book withn 3 very different voices, narration and character for each. It is a story about 3 "lost" youngsters who leave Ireland to find a new life in Australia. It is fast, edgy and am in awe of Elizabeth who wrote this. She has done it. Whoop!...more
This is a must-read for fiction lovers. James writes in a very easy to get way and gives clear examples of what he trying to get to. He mentions shortThis is a must-read for fiction lovers. James writes in a very easy to get way and gives clear examples of what he trying to get to. He mentions short story and novel writers, which I liked. He really helped me understand why fiction is so unique and why I love it so much. His thoughts on free indirect narration and dialogue are gold, to be honest. Enjoy!...more
This is a debut collection by the brilliant Donal Ryan. I read a lot of short stories so I was always going to give this collection a hard time! Donal This is a debut collection by the brilliant Donal Ryan. I read a lot of short stories so I was always going to give this collection a hard time! Donal can write long, emotional sentences and stories. Some of the stories( For example, Slanting of the sun story) were amazing pieces of prose, stories that can hit you in the heart with the language and images that he creates. When he writes stories like this, they are excellent. But, I felt that because there were too many stories in this collection, some were not as powerful as they should be. I prefer a collection of about 8 stories, with the best, the boldest and the most powerful and proudest stories the author can choose. Everything is in this collection so you do get good value for money! I also became weary of the first person narrative that was over-used and found the voices of the characters were impossible to differentiate from story to story. Whether Donal realised it or not, a lot of his stories were anti-woman and quite violent terms used towards them. Of course, these are fiction but the fiction a writer chooses to write can reveal the author's preoccupations and themes. To summarise, this is a very good read but I would have been happier had it been halved. ...more
I did not think i would enjoy this as thoroughly as I did. Thomas Morris handles humour and sadness in such a weird and confident way. I have heard hiI did not think i would enjoy this as thoroughly as I did. Thomas Morris handles humour and sadness in such a weird and confident way. I have heard him read and I could hear his Welsh voice throughout reading these tales about outcasts. This is relaxing and though-provoking reading. I really liked this collection....more
Beautiful and lengthy stories. I loved this. Each story and character are thought out so carefully. Each word. Each sentence. I loved the fact that thBeautiful and lengthy stories. I loved this. Each story and character are thought out so carefully. Each word. Each sentence. I loved the fact that this collection contained only her best stories and all were wonderfully imaginative stories, settings and characters. I couldn't pick a fave and really recommend you read this! I love Danielle!...more
Loading...
