Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Jul 10

19

Foster by Claire Keegan

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on July 19, 2010
Posted in Short Story Read in 2010  | 6 Comments

I found this story at The New Yorker website.
The setting is rural Ireland and the narrator is an unnamed girl in her preteens.  She is dropped off by her father to her “mother’s people” to stay with them for undetermined amount of town.  I think it is her Aunt and Uncle but can’t be sure. Her family is very poor and her mother is pregnant yet again and about to give birth.
She doesn’t have any belonging or clothes with her except for what she is wearing at the time and she is filthy and has lice.
The aunt and uncle treat the girl like one of their own children and she blossoms under their care.  They have a secret about why the posses boy’s clothing which, the girl discovers in time.

If I tell you much more, I will give out spoilers.  However, trust me, this is an excellent story. It is well written with great character development, especially for a short story. It had me crying in the end. Go read it here.  Winner of the Davy Byrnes Memorial Prize.

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Jul 10

5

100 -Words Short Stories By Louise Bannerman, CC

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on July 5, 2010
Posted in Short Story Read in 2010  | 4 Comments

I did something a little different this week for Short Story Monday.  I did a search on Google, “100 word short story”.  There are a lot of places on the web that have them but I decided to go with one author, Louise Bannerman.
To be honest, I had never heard of her before.  I found out that she is a self- published author and she participates in a challenge to write a story with 100 or less words.  I’m not at all interested in her book on religion however I did enjoy some of her shorts.
The first story I read is called ‘Wet Dreams’.  It sounds pretty obscene until you get to the end.  Actually, I had it figured out in part, mid way through.
I also read ‘Hit the Spot’.  There was quite a twist at the end.  Then I read ‘Who’s Talking’ and I thought it was about a woman with a mental ilness until I got to the end.

I enjoyed perusing through Ms. Bannerman’s 100 word short stories. You can take a look yourself at the Authors Den. 


Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Jun 10

28

Agreeable by Jonathan Franzen

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on June 28, 2010
Posted in Short Story Read in 2010  | 5 Comments

I have Jonathan Franzen on my “to try” list for quite awhile and recently came across Agreeable while looking for short stories at The New Yorker. I figure that this would be a good start to exploring Franzen.
Patty grew up in 1970’s Westchester County, New York and was the oldest of four children. She was great in school at academics but was an overachiever in sports and was on many different teams. Her mother, Joyce Emerson was a “professional Democrat” and didn’t like Patty’s competitive streak.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea to be encouraging so much aggression and competition. I guess I’m not a sports fan, but I don’t see the fun in defeating people just for the sake of defeating them. Wouldn’t it be much more fun to all work together?”
By the time Patty was in high school, Joyce was an state assemblywoman, the Honourable Joyce Emerson and had little time for Patty. Patty’s father, Ray was a lawyer and also had little time for his children. When Patty was 17 she had a horrendous life changing event happen at a party.
This was a well written and thought provoking story. The reader is made witness of how Patty’s parents act and treat her when the terrible act occurs. It really could happen in any family and actually has. Agreeable seems to be the way Patty takes her parents advise on the issue. As a reader and human being, I must strongly object.
This story makes me want to explore Jonathan Frazen’s works further. You can read the story at The New Yorker.
Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

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