Reviews

Fine by Michelle Wright

lmurray74's review

5.0

The image that comes to mind regarding the collection as whole is a painted wood chip half way to peeling off. Individually the stories are like splinters. Going back over the stories once I'd finished was like visiting familiar places as the imagery and emotion is strong. Settings include urban and rural Australia and Sri Lanka. One of my favorites is a story set in an abandoned junk yard with a mix of people, including young children, there. Another is about the sudden loss of a long term spouse, and the echoes that leaves. The stories range from two page vignettes to longer ones. None are tied up with a bow, we know the moments and the people carry on. A collection to hold onto.

wtb_michael's review

3.0

This collection is a beautifully written examination of grief and despair, with dozens of stories dealing with people who have lost somone or something. There are hugely affecting moments (the two stories set around the tsunami in Sri Lanka were particularly strong), but the cavalcade of sadness means that by the end each individual story struggles to make an impact.