Hot for Slayer - Ali Hazelwood

n/a

25.09.25

Fun, and sneakily clever, short story/novella, in which much symbolic use is made of penetration by stakes and steel.

Evidence of the Affair - Taylor Jenkins Reid

 n/a

08.05.24

It's a short story, really, so I won't give it a grade, but TJR's work is always entertaining. I mean, it's no Clarissa (what is?) but the epistolary structure worked well in the context and had a few intriguing twists (spoiler: the evidence of the affair was not the letters). But was it really set in the mid-1970s? More like the 1950s - that cultural part didn't ring true.

The Visitors Book - Sophie Hannah

39%
03.09.20

This is why I don't normally read short stories.

Black Box - Jennifer Egan

67%
03.10.12

I unexpectedly received a 'limited edition proof' of this, which is doubly unexpected when you consider it's an ebook originally published on Twitter. (Hence the low res cover; apologies for any resulting sore eyes.) And even more unexpectedly - it was rather good. Margaret Atwood crossed with Ian Fleming crossed with, well, the dry geeky humour of Star Trek. If that particular combination appeals, get downloading.

A Bit on the Side - William Trevor

53%
18.11.08

Ironically, I don't have the time or patience for short story collections, and this hasn't changed my mind. More vivid characterisation than in most 300 page novels, whole lives summed up in a few words, but the actual stories were mostly bland and depressing.

New Beginnings - New writing from bestselling authors sold in aid of tsunami earthquake charities

50%
08.07.05

Produced for charity, but more a cynical marketing exercise. Only Stephen's King's contribution was any good.