I read 27 "Great British Short Stories" in 27 days (Daphne du Maurier's The Birds was a stand out, in a crowded field). I wanted to keep the short-story-a-day thing going and planned to do it with Isaac Asimov's 1956 collection "Earth is Room Enough" and George Saunder's "Tenth of December." The latter has escaped... Continue Reading →
It’s done! 27 short stories in 27 days
There's a sexist joke about a Hollywood starlet being interviewed on a late night talk show about her new book. Host: So, tell us about your book - it's your first, right? Starlet: Right! Well, when I started it people were really cruel and said I'd never finish it, that I was just some dumb... Continue Reading →
“How Soon Can I Leave?” by Susan Hill #GBSS27/27
"How Soon Can I Leave?” by Susan Hill Number 27 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: A woman wakes up to what she has(n’t) done. Sort of. Review: Nicely done, ineffably sad. What else is there to say? Outa ten: 9 Keywords: mothers, motherhood, time and tide Quotes: “As a girl, she had looked... Continue Reading →
“August Heat” by W.F. Harvey – short and creepy. GBSS26/27
August Heat” by W.F. Harvey Number 26 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: An artist draws a man, then meets the man. A distinct lack of hilarity ensues Review: Creepy, uncanny, unsettling etc. Very nicely done. Outa ten: 10 Keywords: xx Quotes: “Then with the rare sense of happiness which the knowledge of a... Continue Reading →
“The Cotillon” by L.P. Hartley #GBSS25/27
“The Cotillon” by L.P. Hartley Number 25 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: A dance (Cotillon) ends very badly indeed Review: Nicely done - creepy af. Obvious how it will end, but so what Outa ten: 9 Keywords: Ghost stories, the past is never the past, country houses Quotes: “Jack Manning’s task was neither... Continue Reading →
“The Sea” by Neil Gunn #GBSS24/27
“The Sea” by Neil Gunn #GBSS24/27 Number 24 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: A young boy (12) goes to the harbour in a storm, because his father and older brother are out in fishing boats. Apron strings exist Review: Good stuff (right up against the border of overwrought) Outa ten: 8 Keywords: xx... Continue Reading →
“The End of the Party” by Graham Greene #GBSS23/27
“The End of the Party” by Graham Greene Number 23 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: A game of hide and seek is terrorising and terrible Review: He was a master, in my opinion, ol’ GG. Should have read this decades ago. Top marks for terror. Outa ten: 10 Keywords: youth, fear, twins, courage... Continue Reading →
“Fireworks for Elspeth” by Rumer Godden #GBSS22/27
"Fireworks for Elspeth” by Rumer Godden Number 22 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: It is a young woman’s “Last Day” and she must negotiate family (the mother from Hell?) and an erstwhile fiance... Review: Nicely done. I am not the target demographic perhaps, but you can - between the lines - see what... Continue Reading →
“The Birds” by Daphne Du Maurier. Horrific, and a solid 11 out of 10 #GBSS21/27
"The Birds” by Daphne Du Maurier Number 21 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: Birds Attack!! Review: This is flocking fantastic. How did I not read this as a 13 year old of a nervous disposition (answer - neither of my parents could point me to particularly good alternatives to Doctor Bloody Who and... Continue Reading →
“The Gifts of War” by Margaret Drabble #GBSS20/27
“The Gifts of War” by Margaret Drabble Number 20 of 27 Great British Short Stories Premise: Two women - one a beaten down but surviving mother, the other a well-meaning (road to hell?) pacifist collide in a toystore, their lives controlled by, well, manboys. Review: Holy shit. I keep thinking the latest story is the... Continue Reading →
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