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bgg616's review
5.0
Each story in this collection of a dozen is a gem. That is not common with volumes of short stories, with the exception, perhaps of Alice Munro. These stories exemplify what I look for in a short story. They can be glimpses of moments and they can convey the essence of an entire life or relationship. Many of these stories also illuminate life in Ireland in particular such as the title story 'The China Factory'. The final story 'The Sewing Room' set in Northern Ireland, captures an entire life as a woman prepares to go to her retirement party after decades as a teacher in the village school. I loved the description of her taking the Lough Swilly bus into Derry to visit the stationers/ art supply story monthly. A simple detail but so telling in revealing the simplicity of the pleasures this woman looks forward to. I wondered if that stationers indeed exists now. Many of the stories are accounts of lives lived with regrets such as 'And Who Will Pay Charon?'
This is a Stinging Fly Press book and I am pleased to see them doing well. Small publishers have stiff competition, and can be overlooked by large chain book sellers. This is a book for lovers of short stories, women writers, Irish fiction, Alice Munro, William Trevor and good writing.
This is a Stinging Fly Press book and I am pleased to see them doing well. Small publishers have stiff competition, and can be overlooked by large chain book sellers. This is a book for lovers of short stories, women writers, Irish fiction, Alice Munro, William Trevor and good writing.
sophiakin's review
dark
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
illustratedangel's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
screaming crying throwing up
martaportela's review
5.0
Beautifully written, this collection of short stories left me emotionally exhausted. The prose is simple and honest, but manages to convey all the feelings of hurt, guilt and isolation that plague these stories about ordinary life.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC Radio 4 Extra - Debut
Niamh Cusack reads this sharply observed story about a marriage in crisis from Mary Costello's acclaimed debut collection
Niamh Cusack reads this sharply observed story about a marriage in crisis from Mary Costello's acclaimed debut collection
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