Jane Elmor

What a fabulous collection of short stories. I don't read a lot of short stories as sometimes I find that they feel incomplete; just when they start to get going the end appears all too suddenly. This collection has shown me another side to short story writing as clearly if the quality is there, a story can be both compact and complete.

There are some amazing stories in this anthology; I was completely blown away by the first story, which is also the title of the anthology: What Was Left by Joanna Campbell. To start a collection with a story of this calibre had my heart racing in anticipation of what was to come next, as this story wasn't even the winner of the Retreat West competition! The variety is astounding, in contrast to this first poignant tale is the hilarious Honeysuckle Happiness Hospice by Ian Tucker that is simply a collection of email correspondence and the deserving winner that gave me goosebumps, On Crosby Beach by Judith Wilson.

I could go on and write about some of the other stories, and I'm sorry to have only selected a few, but I think this is a collection from which everyone will pick a different favourite. I read the whole collection so fast that I wouldn't be surprised if I see something new and choose new favourites when I re-read it. From heart-achingly poignant to laugh out loud craziness and, with more variety than Heinz, there really is something for everyone in this cracking collection.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (mehr)

Received a free copy of this book for review as a former What If? reviewer.

My Vintage Summer uses three stages of Elizabeth's life to give a vivid, kaleidoscopic view of England in the early 1980s, complete with spiky, bleached hair, wild clothing, and punk music.

More than that, it explores self-discovery, independence, wrong decisions, and realizing your childhood idol's imperfections. It explores the gritty aspect of the decade, rather than viewing it through rose-coloured glasses.

The juxtaposition of the past Lizzie and Liza Doo with the present-day Beth creates an air of nostalgia without becoming sappy and overly sentimental.… (mehr)

This is mainly the story of Luna, a young artist living a bohemian lifestyle with her boyfriend Pierre. Suddenly she realises that life is passing quickly, and that she wants nothing more than to be a mother. However, Pierre is not ready.

The books is also about Angie, Luna's mother, who spent her young adult years (and Luna's early childhood) in a free-love commune. We see their viewpoints alternating, and gradually build up a picture of their lives.

And then there's Nat, a teenage mother who drinks, smokes and takes drugs, and neglects her two children. Her sections are very short, and seem quite unrelated to the rest of the book until towards the end.

The writing is very good, though peppered with far too many instances of one unpleasant swear-word for my tastes, and the main plot works well. But I found the ending a bit too dramatic and a little contrived.

Still, overall, I enjoyed it.… (mehr)

Pictures of You tells the story of three different women, two with an obvious link, and one that doesn’t fit until the final few pages.

The book actually starts with a mysterious prologue that makes little sense at this point, but which is referred back at the end. We are then introduced to Luna, in 2003, strangely enough having sex in a cupboard, during her father’s funeral! It does sound a little odd, but it does start to make sense as the book progresses.

Luna lives in London with her boyfriend, and they are both artists. They have always been happy, until Luna attends the funeral of her estranged father. It stirs a yearning to find out more, about her past and her family, and also about her future. Through some photos that her father took when younger, she starts to wonder more about the life her mother led when younger.

We are then taken back to 1970, where we learn about Angie’s past – Angie being Luna’s mother. These chapters are cleverly interspaced, exposing Luna’s incorrect assumptions about her mother and her past, and what actually happened. Angie’s story tells a fascinating tale of life in a commune, and a changing view of the world.

Between these two stories is the tale of Nat, a teenage mum living in the 90s. There appears to be no connection with the other two women, and it gives a bleak and frightening insight into her life.

Luna and Angie’s stories slowly come together, as they both take their very separate journeys. The older Angie becomes more interesting as you discover what she has been through, and Luna shows that not everything is black and white.

Towards the end we discover Nat’s link into the overall story. It does feel a little out of place, but her story does add to the book – I think views will be divided on that aspect.

Overall, this is a rather clever book, as the stories come together. It can be confusing at the beginning, and the content, especially during Angie’s stay at the commune, may not suit everyone. It has, however, stayed with me, and I am now interested in the author’s previous books. It’s one you may just have to try for yourself.… (mehr)