Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Short Story Collection Review

Issi's (and other) Tales
by Anthony Waugh
ISBN-10: 1595264051
Review by Heather Froeschl

The short story is an art form that very few perfect. Poe and O. Henry come to mind. I recently was introduced to a new author along those very lines...Anthony Waugh. His collection, "Issi's (and other) Tales," is an example of awesome writing ability.

Twelve little stories, or rather, eleven short and one longer one, fill the pages with a very interesting variety of topics. All of them though, demonstrate an amazing knowledge of the human beast. Portraying that knowledge in such a way that each character comes to life before the reader's eyes, Waugh shows the world his gift.

Recreating Judea and the days of Jesus and his followers is a bold step, but so well done in the first story that you will be enticed to continue on to the next tale. Each story does the same, tempting and enthralling into the next chapter. Often, I was left open mouthed from an O. Henry twist, so much so that I could not wait to see what could come next... A story of raw human strength erupted by anger, another, about straying from a marriage, and my favorite, a look into the dementia of an elderly woman, lost in her mind and trying desperately to remember life.

Each story is complete and the plot unique. Anthony Waugh uses words as a paintbrush to depict a picture of some of the darker sides of life. Absolutely well done!

No comments:

Post a Comment