A few more words on Aphrodite's Hat, Salley Vickers' short story collection on the theme of love, which I've mentioned once or twice and which I've dipped into frequently, a story at a time, over the last few weeks.
Moving covers a couple's last few hours in a house when the remnants of a life are packed up and ready to go. The chance find of a forgotten item reveals Selina's sad history. That's all described in eight or nine short pages, but elegant, succinct ones.
In The Deal, smart, shrewd, resourceful young Alice makes an unusual bargain involving a marmalade kitten and a bottle of Newcastle Brown, while in The Return, Sophie - on a romantic visit to Rome with her boyfriend Greg - asks "Do you think people leave a part of themselves behind in a place? ....do you think we rub off on places the way places rub off on us?", and Greg has cause to wonder if the two are really alone.
While naturally I had favourites among the stories, and there were some I felt worked better than others, overall it was a most enjoyable book - very readable, very concise. There are recurring elements of the other-worldly or supernatural, but all beautifully handled and well-balanced, occasional very funny moments, much insight into human nature and many references to art and literature. Salley Vickers' prose speaks with a clear, bell-like voice and a sophisticated, measured tone; for that reason and all the above it is a pleasure to read.
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