Stories to savour

 

    When I posted that beautiful passage from Sue Gee's new collection of short stories the other day, Margaret commented that she favoured novels over short fiction as there's more 'to get your teeth into'. I know exactly what Margaret means, and hers is a common preference, but I've been thinking about that bias as I've reflected on the stories which make up Last Fling. If a novel is the equivalent of a full meal, a short story - a good one - is a perfect canapé or appetiser: a single mouthful that displays all the chef's skill in terms of balance of flavours and textures; and so it follows that reading a collection such as Sue Gee's is like choosing the menu de dégustation at a starred restaurant - each individual part which makes up the whole has its own distinct integrity, and taken together they not only satisfy but successively delight.

    Sue Gee's prose is marked by its clarity, and her new book exhibits that to fine effect. Every story is somehow turned to the light so that its characters' past, present and future are shown or reflected, and the internal weather of the lives we glimpse is subtly evident. Often, the subjects are artists, or the settings rural, and the mind's eye is given vivid images to take in; elsewhere, it's emotional insight and empathy which bring a scene to life and take our focus. Common themes are what was lost, or how and why happiness is always just out of reach, but there's also humour, and a typical delicacy to the writing which gives the collection resonance.

    As is obvious from the above, I loved the book, but whether or not you're already a fan of Sue Gee's novels, don't wait for her next one, The Tiger of Tulsipore (due in 2012), read her here in concentrated form and savour the experience.

Comments

[Dark Puss]

I am just as fond of "short" fiction as I am of "long" fiction. For myself it is exclusively the quality of the writing not how many pages in the book that matter.

[Mystica]

Since I am now in Melbourne where "most" books are available in the local library this too will go on to my TBR list right now. Thanks for the update as this author is new to me.

[Jill]

A fine example of the short story as novel that I have read was Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Each story casts a different light on the various characters, especially Olive herself. This is an extremely satisfying book.
I also admired the writing in Legend of a Suicide by David Vann and Things We Didn't See Coming by Steven Amsterdam. Both books are structured as linked short stories.
Although I find the novel can be all engrossing, short stories can be just as memorable. I will definitely track down Last Fling; thank you.
PS: I notice dear Cornflower that in your new arrivals you have Conditions of Faith by Alex Miller. May I recommend his novel Lovesong that has scooped up many awards here in Australia.

[Mystica]

Just wanted to add that I could not get the book you have mentioned but got Reading in Bed which I have already started and love the style and the descriptiveness so very much.

[Cornflower]

Thankyou for the recommendation, Jill - duly noted!
You are right to cite the excellent Olive Kitteridge as a good example of short stories at their best (I've yet to read the David Vann, though I have it waiting).

[Cornflower]

I loved Reading in Bed, too! Also, The Mysteries of Glass and Earth and Heaven.

[Dark Puss]

Grrr, just had Typepad eat this comment ...

Let me recommend very strongly Colette as an excellent writer of short stories. I note that there is a large collection available, many of which I have not read.

Double Grrr! That NYT link now seems to want you to log in, apologies it worked properly 5 minutes ago.

Here is the Amazon link.

[Cornflower]

Thankyou, DP. I'm glad this post is proving to be a good source of recommendations.

[Mystica]

I read Reading in Bed and did a review as well. thanks so much for the introduction to this author.