Call it “The Bug” Because I Have No Time to Think of a Better Title by Toby Litt
This is a sci-fi type short story. No. Not something I tend to read though my husband would love this. This story was written for a bio-pink collection of short stories, worth putting that into context. It is about death, mourning and sadness though written in a quirky and experimential way. Toby Litt wrote this story when his own mother died. We feel that emotion throughout. We feel the detachment of the narrator trying to get away from the horribleness that is her own mother’s death. She does this by inventing another story that she would write if she had the time, except she doesn’t have the time as she has to visit her own mother who is dying. Clever. But, I don’t get sci-fi. This is a pushing the boundary type short story and not all readers will like it. The winner of the short story EFG Sunday Times competition needs to be cleverly accessible and broad but breathtaking. This story is breathtaking but the way it is told may lose a few votes. Toby, don’t change though. We like it just maybe, not for this.
The beholder by Ali Smith
The story opens with a person(I’ll go with woman here) who is a bad way. She visits her doctor and tells him of her problems. Her Dad has died, she has recently separated and is getting depressed. So far, so normal. But, the the lady starts to notice something growing on her chest. It is a branch of some sort, which eventually grows into a fully blooming rose bush. I get it and I get what she was doing. The message is clear and she obviously wanted to challenge and push our boundaries of what we might expect. I couldn’t help but thing of that film “How to get a head in advertising” with Richard E. Grant as the advertising executive that suddenly starts to notice a head growing out of his chest. It eventually eats him or something. It freaked me out as a child/teenager. So, this story was not helpful. I see what she was doing but this wouldn’t be my type of story, it almost felt as if the metaphor of the rose was too pushy, too needy and looking for the reader to go “Ah-hah, I get it now” I like my stories seemingly normal but quirky but with many mysteries and hidden metaphors for me to probe and think about. This story was too much for me.
Evie by Sarah Hall was number three in the six short stories shortlisted for the EFG Sunday Times Short Story prize 2013.
I’ve read and loved The beautiful indifference, Sarah Hall’s first set of short stories, released last year but I was aware that she could be heavy going and ultra female themed. So, when I started Evie after finishing the brilliant short story The Gun, I braced myself.
Not to worry, the first few pages were easy and smooth, a woman decides she is going to start eating chocolate and lots of it. Her husband gets worried. Then, she drunkenly tries it on with his best friend. Hmmm, easy going this is not. The next morning, she is parading about in her silky dressing gown, showing her lady lumps off and using the f word when she wants to speak about making love.
Her husband gets worried but not too worried, after all his wife is a changed woman and he is a changed man and they have great fun fifty shades style for a while. The ending is an ending that I predicted. Though, it does make the reader feel bad about asusming something they shouldn’t have. There you go, I’ve revealed a lot. I am sorry, I take it all back. Evie is a strangely comforting nad easy to read short story written tenderly as always by the lovely Sarah Hall.
The dig by Cynan Jones
After all of thatmaking out and feelings, we get The Dig, a story about a teenage boy who goes on a dig with his father and his gypsy friend.
The dig of the title refers to the digging out of a badger and the killing of a badger.
You will be brought into this world very quickly, I felt itchy having read it as I believed it and believed the characters and hated them. I feel I’ve seen variants of this story, Meles Vulgaris by Patrick Boyle springs too mind although that story is told with love and affection for the badger. Something that I liked.
This story is a cruel story about what humans can do to animals and indeed each other. The teenage boy goes on a physical and mental journey towards the climatic murder scene of the badger. We hope he will shy away from it all, we hope he will have a realisation about his father and what he does for fun. The boy has a realisation indeed but it, too, is a cruel one. He is the same as the other adults in the story and shame for him. He is keen to be a big man in front of his Dad but ultimately, there is no hero in this tale. The badger is a passive animal that puts up with the violence of his life, the puppy too is yearning for the boy’s love and the boy wants his Dad or men to accept him. Powerful.
Cynn Jones writes with a poetic harshness and maybe, it’s my own personal preference but I won’t be able to sleep now, the world is so cruel.
I bet this will win. Have the feeling! It has the landscape, coming of age, subtle underlying themes and metaphors and a non judgmental view of the gypsy character. This has a very British feel.
My last post will look at the final two stories shortlisted in the awards, Call it the bug because I have no title to think of a better title and The beholderB
For €2.27, I purchased the 6 shorts:the finalists for the 2013 Sunday Times EFG PRivate Bank Short Story Award. That is a title!
The results will be announced this Friday, 22nd March at a very posh gala ball where only special people can go!
Miss Lora by Junot Diaz
The collection opens with Junot Diaz Miss Lora short story. It is a long short story about a boy who sleeps with his next door neighbour, Miss Lora during a sad time in his teenage life. The big difference of this story is the narration technique, Diaz opts to use the second person narrative, which we know is really the first person but gives us the sense that the narrator wants closure and a wall put between the past, which is narrated in the present. Don’t be confused, there is no need to be. It is a fairly traditional tale. We have heard this before but the way Diaz writes is unique, he throws in the occasional spanish phrase amongst the English, which I didn’t understand. He writes plainly and in a voice that is teenage and of the streets. He invites you to hear his story while trying to warn a younger version of himself away from the muscle woman, Miss Lora.
At one point, I was thinking that there was a bit too much narrative in this short story to make it a true short story but then, the ending came. And the last sentence is a really good ending so wait for that. This is a strong short story. Will it make me read more of his work? Maybe. It seems too easy to be that good that it was narrowed down to 6 best stories out of the world! But, do read it, you can get it free on the New Yorker page here.
The Gun by Mark Haddon
Wow. Okay, a few things running through me after this.
First of all, this Mark Haddon, he of the curious incident of the dog at night fame, he who is also a painter, illustrator and cartoonist. Of course, this story was going to rock but it turns out that it rocks more than I could have thought. Strangely enough, I didn’t recognise the author’s name for some reason until I got to the bio at the end. I’m glad I didn’t as I would always be a bit worried that I had just thought this was great because it was by Mark Haddon. Like it had to be.
The story is about two boys who are from opposite ends of society. They are not friends, the story is clear to point this, they’re just in the same class. Daniel is middle-class and has parents that “aspire to be average.” Sean lives in a council flat with a Mum (that Daniel envies at the start of the story)and a brother who has a gun he keeps in a yellow sports bag.
And so the gun of the title. Yes, we know something scary is going to happen because of the title but also the way Haddon marks it clearly in a unique story telling way. He speaks directly to us at various points of the story, telling us that “there will be other extraordinary events in his life…Today will be different, not simply shocking, but one of those moments where time forks and fractures…” We get ready for the bang of the gun, and when it goes off, it is more sinister and numbing than we could imagine.
This is a short story. The ending is a marvel and the story never loses its pace, its authentic picture of two young lives and how an event can stay with you forever, for some reason. We can understand it and him. There were so many times where I stopped and read the piece out loud just to hear it, how did he do it? I don’t care. I loved this. More, more, more. You can and you should listen to Mark Haddon reading The Gun here.
It is 40 minutes long as it is covers some of the story but an interview about the difference between short stories and novels. This being Haddon’s 2nd short story but please read it! He says he finds short story very difficult! Phew! Great to read British short story writing like this as I don’t come across it often. Makes you think about what if, you all know those moments!
I’ll be back when I’ve read the next two stories and you have had a chance to read these two stories.
That year has flown by! This time last year, Kevin Barry’s “Beer trip to LLandudno” was shortlisted for the EFG Sunday Times Short Story award and we all know that he won!
2013 brings some more brilliant writers; Sarah Hall, Ali Smith, Cynan Jones, Junot Diaz, Mark Haddon and Toby Litt are the ones to watch.
You can download the 6 stories to your kindle for the bargain price of €2.26 here.
Then, you will need to go and vote for your favourite one here. If you have been meaning to read something different or find out what the hype about the short story form is all about, then this is your chance!
I am going to spend the evening, set aside some time under my lovely, red, furry blanket my husband bought me and read. I’ll let you know which one I voted for but only if you do!
I love when I get my copy of the Stinging Fly. I look at the front cover for ages, leaving it ruminate on the kitchen table, until it’s taken up and started.
That’s my routine.
This issue, the Spring 2013 one is particualrly lovely. The cover is softer and more tactile than usual. A commanding sketch juts out of the light grey background and it has me. I show it off to everyone who will look.
I read the editorial first and then it’s straight to a name that just keeps coming up-Colin Barrett. He is a Mayo man so there is an affinity there! His bio reads well and sensibly. He has done the MA in U.C.D. He’s been published in the Stinging Fly a couple of times and they’re bringing out his own collection of short stories in September 2013. He also is getting one of his stories published in the upcoming short story collection Town and Country alongside the huge Eilis Ni Dhubihne and Nuala Ni Chonchuir. It will be edited by the lovely Kevin Barry so you can guess I’m reserving a copy already.
I’ve already told myself that I’m going to like Colin’s story Kindly forget my existence. I’ve concluded this from his bio. Some of the bios I read in certain magazines make me itch and feel annoyed. I don’t want to read your story or poem if you are trying to be too funny, too serious and trying to pretend that writing is just a small distraction for you in your wacky life. So, get your bios checked and vetted. I charge a small fee for this type of vetting and I’m good.
Kindly forget my existence is a very good piece. Nice and long and plenty time to settle into it. Two friends, Eli and Doran meet in a pub with an Eastern European barman who goes awol during the story, allowing the real story come out.There’s a funeral and lots of smoking. I felt echoes of Kevin Barry’s Fjord of Killary story. The men and what they speak of also come from a Kevin Barry slant but use language and vocabulary that are the author’s, Colin Barrett’s own. Colin uses big and clunky words, he does not shy away from adverbs or adjectives when needed, which makes me feel happy. His story telling is not sparse, it gives us plenty detail but leaves out many parts of the story that we don’t need to know. The title speaks of Joyce, borrowing from The Dead.
More of this is needed. I really liked it and of course I see a future for Mr. Barrett.
And now, onto a poem in the Stinging Fly. Hmmm, who has the shortest bio? Michael J. Farrell, it is.
It’s just a personal theory, please don’t think I’m crazy or right.
I have booked my workshop for Bantry and the excitement is building already! Simon booked in for the Ruth Padell workshop so I felt under pressure to book too!
I am going to the John Mac Kenna “Short story” workshop. It sounds active, which is important for me and John is very, very well respected as not only a writer but as a teacher.
I always try to read the teacher’s or the speaker’s work before I see them, it makes sense, doesn’t it? I was delighted that Carlow town Library had all 3 of John’s short story collections-namely, the River Field, A year of our lives and The Fallen. Couldn’t believe my luck!
I have started on A year of our lives and John certainly likes the raw love scenes. I always feel embarrassed writing about sex scenes so maybe, John will have some tips for me!
I also spotted Nuala Ni Chonchuir’s Flash Fiction workshop with the Big Smoke Writing Factory. It’s on in May and it looks brilliant. The only problem is my above policy states that I should read all of the teacher/author’s work and Nuala just has billions of books! And I don’t really read poetry! Hmmm, maybe. I will just read a very old one of hers and I’ve read Mother America so surely that is acceptable?
This week, the Irish Independent paper is including a supplement for Leaving Cert students and generally interested writers, I would think!
Today, it focuses on spelling, grammar, word power, paper 1 of leaving cert and the short story. We have a lovely, little article by the late Maeve Binchy about being a writer but we also get to see exactly how much the English curriculum has changed snce I was at school. I am a primary school teacher so post-primary teachers, feel free to interject if I have any details incorrect!
Students have a choice of discussion and narrative essays. Short stories are included under the narrative essay section of the paper.
Short story
Let’s look at exactly what an average 17-18 year old is asked to do as part of a pressurised exam.
Option:Short story:Short story writers( the 17/18 year old) is asked to write a short story in which the central character is faced with an important decision or where the character is eager to leave home or how about a short story where two unusual characters meet for the first time.
Student are expected to study and practice the short story form as a flexible and sophisticated genre, and no candidate can memorise prepared material( how they will measure this, I don’t know?), and be confident of using their material effectively. LEt me carry on. There is also an article written by Dermot Bolger, who advises the would be students on the art of writing a short story. It is an excellent article. He gives plenty good advice and urges the students to create a believable story where an “examiner might forget about the bundle of exam scripts waiting for scrutiny.”
I have a couple of issues with this. If I want to attempt to write a story, it can take me months of researching, brainstorming with the writing group and writing draft after painstaking draft and I am a beginning writer! Imagine an established writer being asked to write a short story in the pressures of the exam environment of 3 hours and make it magical, brilliant and special just like one of the examples given, namely Cecelia Ahern. Hmmm, I think Cecelia herself would struggle with this task. She writes her novels on a 9-5 working day basis.
As a 17 year old student, I may have tried a patchy first draft of a story but I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable submitting this to an examiner who may “get” my story or who may just be judging it by fixed criteria.
Can a short story be evaluated this way and should it? Would a better option not be to help the student look at established short story writers and establish how the craft is developed. It is strange seeing as this student will be heading off to university and will be expected to do this very thing. I certainly don’t remember being asked to write a magical, special short story for an examiner in less than three hours along with a personal essay and a discussion essay. That is pressure and pointless.
Am I looking at this the wrong way? I feel anxious for any student attempting this as we would never ask adults to create a brand new short story under this type of pressure.
Mary Costello, her of China Factory fame is now spreading her wings and flying off to BBC Radio! Here’s the link to catch her reading some of her short stories on the BBC.
Thresholds calls itself the home of the international short story forum and that’s exactly what it is. This website is obsessed with the short story form and they have some very nifty resources there. One of the best would be the podcasts they have from Joseph O’Connor and Sarah Hall. Each podcast lasts for nearly 40 minutes covering a master class from a master in short story writing. Nice to download and listen to on your way into work or just walking.
I felt under pressure to write my favourite reads of 2012. The thing is that this article should have been published in 2013, surely? But, in the last few days I have read loads of “Best of 2012” articles so I thought I had better get to work!
This article is very easy to write as 2012 has been packed full with brilliant, brilliant short stories. But, it was really, really hard to choose only ten but I tried! It’s all down to personal taste.
The short form is everywhere. Personally, 2012 has been the year that I have been reintroduced to this form. If you read my blog, you will know how much I rate Kevin Barry. I am convinced that I would not have delved further into the short story form without his brilliant work. I also think out of all the short stories I have read this year, his work stands way out. But, I’ve spoiled it slightly for you so read on!
10-Fish anthology 2012
God, I hate that term-emerging writers but I am not so foolish to think all writers are the same. In Fish we get some great short stories in the form of unpublished and not famous authors from all over the world. This anthology also includes a section on memoirs, poetry and flash fiction. I think this anthology sends a calling to all “aspiring” writers. If you want to write but haven’t quite then read these stories. Some of them are good, some are great and some are way above anything you might write! But, good writing should push you on and inspire you. This is why Fish is great.
10-European Fiction 2012
My husband bought me this when he went to the Dalkey Book Festival…without me. I became very sick and had to take to the bed. I was gutted but he came back with a lovely book! This book is made up of fiction from all over Europe and is compiled into themes of love, hate, lust, etc. I read a lot of Irish fiction so each story gave me a new experience. Very accessible and very quirky.
9-William Trevor Selected stories
Of course, Trevor is the master of the genre. His Selected stories collection is a massive volume so I downloaded it to my kindle. He writes easily and brilliantly on Irish and English life and characters. Stories that will cry and think. He gets the short story like no other. He the man.
8-The beautiful indifference by Sarah Hall
The-Beautiful-Indifference
I really enjoyed these stories, all very much different characters and settings but with a full-on theme of landscape, animals and humans, we are left trying to breath for air. Something I will read again.
7-Mother America by Nuala Ni Chonchuir
The great thing about this book is that you can pick it up, read one story and think about it for a few days before you delve into another. Or you can read it all in one go!
All of the stories are delightful and capture that important moment of life that a good short story should and then rising to a satisfying conclusion. The stories never get too long or tedious. some are only of a few pages, which is great to see flash fiction taking its rightful place in the short story collection.
6-Some kind of beauty by Jamie O’ Connell
The cover grabbed me first then the author’s photo made me read on. Okay, Jamie O Connell is an attractive and wonderfully polite young man but he also writes well. I liked his stories because of the different world they threw me into. Jamie has a great knack for writing in varying voices from gay to child like to very female. A great debut. I want more!
5-The China Factory by Mary Costello
The China Factory
This is Mary Costello’s first short story collection and I am jealous. Her stories are honest and raw, touching on the pain of the human condition. A beautiful book with a cover that I loved! If you have to get one new Irish short story writer this year, get this. The Stinging Fly offer a package in which you can but this book and a subscription to their stinging fly magazine. Bonus!
4-Homesick by Roshi Fernando
I came across Roshi Fernando by accident and thankfully so! I heard her read at the Cork short story festival in September. Some other author didn’t show up. I don’t even remember who that was meant to be now! Roshi’s Homesick is a series of short stories that flick between different protagonists and times in their lives, beginning with a New Years Eve party and ending with a funeral. Incredibly heart warming, sad and makes the theme of the foreigner in a strange country become incredibly meaningful. It read like a short story anthology or a novel. Loved. Loved. Loved.
3-The shelter of neighbours by Eilis Ni Dhuibhne
Eilis Ni Dhuibhne is the one really. This collection merges Irish myths and modern like extremely well. She doesn’t go over board with this as this type of myth-o-mixing can grate on me. Some of her stories share characters and places, giving a wonderful sense of the community to the whole affair. I think that short story collections that merge shared characters and locations are going to be more prominent in 2013.
2-Granta book of Irish short stories edited by Anne Enright
I really, really like anthologies. Anne Enright edited this and that’s the reason I think it works so well. The flow of the stories are effortless. I remember attempting to write up a Top ten of my favourite stories in this collection. It began to turn into a top forty or something so I gave up. If you want to read perfect short stories, any of these in here will do! (Kevin Barry also has one in here too. Just saying.)
1-Dark lies the island and There are little islands by Kevin Barry
I’ll be honest; I read both of Kevin’s short story anthologies and his novel, City of Bohane in one go! I was booked into see him read at Bantry and arranged to have a mini interview with him so I had to know my stuff! Kevin gets Ireland. He gets Irish weather. His writing is overly dramatic and silly but I bet you won’t find one writer that comes near to what he does. He has reinvigorated the form. Put him on the Leaving Cert and watch the interest in English class grow. If you get a chance to hear him read, I promise you he will entertain you! It’s not hard to predict that he will expand into film very quickly but don’t get too big, Mr Barry! And don’t forget that you do short stories really, really well!
Call it “The Bug” Because I Have No Time to Think of a Better Title by Toby Litt
