Showing posts with label Short Story Read in 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Story Read in 2009. Show all posts

Monday, December 28, 2009

Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket by Lucy Maud Montgomery



 John of The Book Mine Set reviewed this story a couple of weeks ago, here and enticed me to read it as well.

Aunt Cyrilla and Lucy were going to visit family in the city, Pembroke for Christmas.  Aunt Cyrilla took out her big clunky basket and started packing all kinds of food into it.  This was an embarrassment to Lucy.  To her it's a symbol of the old county way of life.  She didn't want to be seen with her Aunt and that basket.

It turned out to be a good thing that Aunt Cyrilla brought that basket full of food.  Read the story to find out.

I think as children, we have all had things that embarresed us about our parents or relatives.  Even though this is a really old story, I could relate to the characters.  I laughed at all of the things Aunt Cyrilla put in that basket.  In fact, I would have thought it was the size of a Hummer, if she hadn't carried it on her arm.  LOL! I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 5:42 PM 3 comments  

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Monday, December 21, 2009

"Hanukkah Candles" by Deborah Rochford-Kellerman


John of The Book Mine Set, reviewed this short story a couple of weeks ago and peeked my curiosity, so I decided to read it.

We never learn the name of the protagonist in this story but she lives in a blended faith home.  She is Christian, while her husband David is Jewish.  They practice both Christmas and Hanukkah with their children, with mixed results. 

It seems that David does not show the same support for his wife over Christmas, as she shows him support over Hanukkah. 

Deborah Rochford-Kellerman captures the lights of the menorah and mood of the story in a stunning way.  Her writing is clean, crisp, and awesome.  I could relate to her story somewhat.  One of the protagonist's children decides not to take part in Christmas.  It is not clear if he does take part in Hanukkah.  As a child, by the time I was 12, I did not "buy in" to the Jewish faith of which I was raised.  I went through the motions of the holidays and enjoyed the festivities but I did not believe.  I was honest with my parents and they we very upset, as you can imagine.  I think they would have preferred to be blissfully ignorantof my dis-beliefs. 

To this day, I don't practice a religion but I do take part in and contribute to the festivities, which now include both Christmas and Hanukkah.  I married a Christian as did my brother, who also lives in Vancouver.  Our families get together for Christmas every year when Hanukkah happens to still be going we light the candles together.  My brother and SIL like to expose my niece to both holidays.

This is a short story worth checking out no matter what you believe.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 4:49 PM 2 comments  

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Monday, July 6, 2009

Short Story Monday: Promise by Daniel Griffin

John of Book Mine Set reviewed this short last week, here. After reading his wonderful review, I just had to read this myself and I am so glad I did!

In its basic form, this story is about a dysfunctional family. As the story opens, Doug pulls up in his car, at his brother's house with his daughter Tracy. It looked like no one was home but his brother, Marshall opened the door.

Doug was there because his mother was worried. Marshall's wife or girl friend , Susan left him. There was talk of a restraining order and gun. Marshall denied the restraining order but the gun was right there in his house all taken a part for cleaning. Marshall told Doug that him and Susan were working it out but there was a lot of tension in the conversation. The two brothers saw each other about once a year, for Christmas. Resentment came out loud and clear.

Like John of Book Mine Set, my own family dynamics popped into my head well I was reading the story. I have three siblings. Two which I see once a year, when I'm lucky, because I moved away. To be honest, we weren't on the best of terms as it was and still aren't. My other brother lives here, in Vancouver and we get along really well.

I don't want to give any spoilers away but believe me when I say this story packs a punch and is disturbing. Daniel Griffin is obviously a master at his craft! I must read more by him. I highly recommend that you read this story! Here is the link: Promise.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 5:23 PM 7 comments  

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Short Story Monday: The Lady or the Tiger by Frank Stockton


This is a very short story at 3 and a half pages. A very long time ago there was a "semi-barbaric king."

When someone committed a crime the king held court in the arena. The accused was sentenced to pick their own fate. One fate, behind a door was a man eating tiger. The other was a beautiful maiden. The accused did not know which door held which. If he chose the wrong door, with the tiger, he would die. If he chose the door with the maiden, he was to be married right there, on the spot. It didn't matter to the king if he was already married.

When the king found out that his royal daughter had a handsome lover. He brought him to the arena. The daughter knew which door held the tiger and which held the maiden. The accused look to her to give him a sign for the door with the maiden. Did she give him that door or the tiger?

This is a story that is discussed in many high school English classes. I can see why. In my opinion it is not a outstanding piece of literature but it is a good introduction to ethics. It would be a great story for high school student to discuss and debate.

What do you think? You can read the story here.

Also reviewed at:

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:46 PM 6 comments  

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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Short Story Monday: No One's a Mystery by Elizabeth Tallent


This week only, I am hosting this event since John of Book Mine Set asked me to. To share you short story reviews please leave a link in the comments section.


No One's a Mystery by Elizabeth Tallent is about a 18 year old girl. She is pushed down on to the floor of her boyfriend's truck by her boyfriend, Jack because he sees his wife's Cadillac in the distance. The floor is filthy and the car stunk of stale cigarettes. They had been sharing a bottle of Tequila. Rosanne Cash is in the tape deck singing, "Nobody's into Me, no one's a mystery.

Once the wife passes, the girl is allowed back up on the seat and they talk about the birthday present Jack gave her for her 18th birthday. He said, "I know what you'll be writing in that diary." He goes on to say how first she will write how much she loves him but in the future will write how she doesn't understand what she ever saw in him. Of course, she disagrees.

This is a very short story at less then 3 pages but it says a lot. It is well written and entertaining but with quite a bit of symbolism. For instance, I am pretty sure the diary represents the future. Also Rosanne Cash was the perfect one to be playing in the back round. I was able to clearly visualize the whole story.

Highly recommended! You can read it here: No One's a Mystery by Elizabeth Tallent

5/5

Also reviewed by:

The Book Mine Set

A Striped Armchair

Remember to go to back to The Book Mine Set next Monday for Short Story Monday.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:23 PM 11 comments  

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Sunday, May 17, 2009

Short Story Monday: A Man Like Him by Yiyun Li



Teacher Fei is an unusual man. He is a 64 year old retired elementary school art teacher who lives at home with his mother. He has never been married nor has he had sexual relations with a female. His mother's health is failing so he spends a lot of time taking care of her.

Whenever Teacher Fei gets the chance to get out and away from his mother, he goes to a local internet cafe to visit chat rooms and read articles. He comes across an article about a girl who believed her father has cheated on her mother. The father and mother have separated and the girl is seeking revenge on her father and suing him.

Teacher Fei feels defensive for the father and seeks him out. He goes to his work and begs him to go to a nearby cafe to talk. We find out a lot about Teacher Fei during their discussion. (I won't give away spoilers here). Teacher Fei encourages the father to fight back.

This is a very interesting story set in China. It is only eight pages but really packs a punch. It touches on life in communist China and has suspense. It kept me turning the pages. Highly recommended! It appeared in The New Yorker and you can read it here. I have never read anything by Yiyun Li before but she is on my TBR now!

5/5

Also reviewed by:

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:30 PM 7 comments  

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Short Story Monday: A Delhi Story by Rana Dasgupta

This is a story that could have taken place just about anywhere. The only identifying features that it took place in India is a couple references that readers may or may not pick up on.

This story is only one page and to tell any of its content would surely give it away. I will say that to me it reads more like a fable with an obvious "moral to the story". Read it for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Here's the link: A Delhi Story.

Also reviewed by:

The Book Mine Set

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:15 PM 2 comments  

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Monday, May 4, 2009

Short Story Monday: A Private Experience by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


(Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Photograph by Martin Godwin)
Two women at the street market, one a vender and one a shopper/tourist get in the middle of a riot. They run and take cover inside an abandoned shop. One woman is Muslim, and one Christian, her name is Chika. We never get to know the other woman's name.

The riots were started by Northern Muslims and Chika can tell that the woman is one. It is evident that the street vendor woman is quite poor, but she shares what little she has with Chika including her thread bare scarf. Both women have lost someone in the market and hope to find them after. They spend the night in the shop, waiting for the riot to calm. They get to know one and other a bit.

Adichie weaves a story of an unlikely pair that show some hope. Hope and possibility that people of all religious backgrounds could learn to get along. That in the end all humans want the same thing. To get through life with their families safe and cared for.

I have not read Adichie before however, I have both Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun on my TBR. I am now looking forward to them with even more enthusiasm! I highly recommend A Private Experience and you can read it for free here.

Also reviewed by:

everything distils into reading

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun!


Posted by Teddy Rose at 1:17 PM 10 comments  

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Monday, April 6, 2009

Short Story Monday: Bark Up the Right Tree by Jessie & Ruth Tschudin


I haven't participated in Short Story Monday and I miss it. I have been on ARC over-load and try to catch up. I am also working more hours. I hope to get back to being a regular participant soon.

I looked up the definition of short story. In terms of length, no one can say for sure, However, there is consensus that it is a length that can be read in one sitting.

This weekend I read a very short book of less then 100 pages.


This is the memoir of Jessie, the dog. His adoptive mother, Ruth, helped him tell his story in this book.

Jessie was in need of new parents and Ruth was in need of a dog. Ruth has done many volunteer jobs working with children and wanted to combine that with getting the message out about dog rescue. She was looking for a medium size dog with a big heart who would pull children in a wagon. She had put the word out and got a call from a rescue organization that was helping Jessie find a home.

100% of the proceeds for the Charity Edition of this book is going to Open Doors, an Amazing Grace Foundation's Kid's'n'Kritters Project. 10 % of all proceeds from the regular edition of this book will also go to charity.

This book/ short memoir is simply written and would be good for children to read with their parents. It is a bit repetitious but is a sweet little story.

3/5

Also reviewed by

Peeking Between the Pages

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun!


Posted by Teddy Rose at 4:55 PM 6 comments  

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Short Story Monday: Jon by George Saunders


Heart Pounding Read

Reminiscent of Margret Atwood's Oryx and Crake, and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Jon is about a group of teenagers raised from infancy, in a building for the purpose of assessing products for consumers. They only see outdoors through a window, never experiencing the wonder of nature first hand.

The story primarily focuses on Jon and Carol. After sneaking into Carol's sleeping quarters " privacy tarp", Carol is pregnant. They marry, even though it is technically not allowed. Carol decided that she wants to leave the safety of the group to go to the unknown, outside. Jon isn't sure.

It is not clear if this story is set in the present day or in the future but it certainly has a futuristic feel to it. Saunders really packs a punch with this story. It is a sad commentary on the emphasis we put on possessions as a society. We are living in a plastic age and this story shows the lengths that some advertisers could go to sell product.

My heart raced as I read this story. If rang true to me, like it could really happen. This is an excellent example of brilliant short story writing!

Highly recommended!

5/5

This short story appeared in The New Yorker Magazine. To read it go here. I would love to know what you think!

Also reviewed at:


Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:08 PM 5 comments  

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