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Reviews for Ideas Above Our Station The Guardian The contributors' brief for this anthology of short fiction - the latest in a lively series - was to write stories to appeal to travellers. That was unlikely to promote thematic coherence, although it has encouraged several writers to feature journeys in their pieces. A distinctive flavour emerges from the collection none the less. Perhaps the suggestion about people in transit has influenced the contributors to create characters who are dislocated in various ways. There are common elements of style, too: unadorned language, oblique observations, deadpan delivery. The heroine of Alexis Clements's sweetly droll "Aubrey" spends her free time phoning old acquaintances, and achieves a triumph when the museum where she is a ticket seller agrees to devote a display to the aubergine. A widow called June, in "In Attendance" by Paula Rawsthorne, works in an underground public lavatory, hiding from the world and from the knowledge - skilfully revealed by the author - that her husband abused their daughter. Other highlights of the collection include Sophie Hannah's story about what a woman learns from an unprepossessing youth who shares her railway carriage, and MY Alam's narrative of an Asian taxi driver. But the standard is high throughout. Ideas Above Our Station would be a diverting travelling companion. Visit Route, publiser: Order Ideas Above Our Station from Amazon UK: Visit The Crack online:
The Crack This is a diverse mix of quirky short stories with no real theme, but they are easy to read tales and full of character. A perfect read for any commuter, then. I loved the randomness of subject matter tackled by the fifteen novelists, which always made for a compelling read and I looked forward to my bus journey home each evening after work, to be able to get to the next intriguing story. A few of my favourites were: 'The Dress' by Charlie Cottrell, concerning a photographer and his muse and the physical items left behind after a relationship has ended, and when the emotional clutter is then discovered by the next love in your life. The photographer must decide when is the right time to finally let go. Another favourite was M Y Alam's 'Taxi Driver'. A late night fare grills the driver about his ethnic background and his views on current affairs, with his one word answers revealing a particular world-view. All in all then, a triumph. Visit Route, publiser: Order Ideas Above Our Station from Amazon UK: Visit The Crack online:
The Nottingham Evening Post 'I love the idea behind this latest collection of short stories from one of the most interesting and vibrant independent publishers around today. Written with the traveller in mind, these 15 tales of contemporary life are meant as perfect little snapshots to be enjoyed on the move. What would your perfect read on the move be? Included in this fine and diverse collection are two Nottingham based authors, James Walker and Paula Rawsthorne, and a third who studied in the city. An inspired idea and an inspired collection, which won't disappoint.' Visit Route, publiser: Order Ideas Above Our Station from Amazon UK: Visit the Nottingham Evening Post:
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© 2009 James K Walker |
