Short Story Reviews:
Jaki McCarick (Author of The Scattering and Belfast Girls) Judge of the Prolitzer Prize 2015
The story I chose as the winner, ‘Dissolving’ (Melanie Whipman) is typical in that it is dark and introspective. It is also beautifully written – the sentences are taut and powerful; the reader has to work hard to piece together the details given to us in the story: a man is being held hostage, along with another. He is about to be executed. In the minutes before his death, he recalls aspects of his life, his upbringing in Sussex, his schooldays and teachers, his relationship with his father. A solemn tale, it is also devoid of self-pity and political polemic. No character is judged, including the protagonist’s executioners. In doing this, the writer, who weaves the story around the central and repeating image of a dissolving sugar cube, is able to portray how fragile life is, how quickly it passes and how, increasingly, global politics permeates all of our lives. It’s both a timely and stunning piece of writing, and a worthy winner.
Alex Wheatle (MBE, Author of Brixton Rock) judge of the Writeidea Prize 2014
'Bold, passionate, suspenseful. It described beautifully two different aspect of love and what can transpire if love is denied.'
Rose Tremain (judge at the 2014 Homestart Bridgewater Prize):
The atmosphere of tragedy pervading an ordinary event on a summer's day is well established. Ending is surprising and unforeseen… strangely affecting… a moving piece.
Rob's Short Story Review:
Story Title: ‘Baking Blind.'
Collection/Anthology?: Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology 4 (Bristol Review of Books)
This is exactly what a short story should be – clear, precise and affecting. There are fleeting moments of tenderness in Baking Blind but the overall tone is one of sadness and despair; a feeling that becomes all the more apparent when one sits and reflects on the story afterwards. An excellent example of powerful storytelling, but one that is delivered in a subtle kind of way.
Dawn Howarth (Random House) judge of the Fowey Festival 2013:
A poignant, funny, moving story of middle-age and hope set on Brighton Pier. The writing was utterly controlled and the story unfolded expertly. A delight to read. (I came across your story towards the end of the process and read it with increasing excitement. It unfolded beautifully, your voice felt original and the story stayed with me afterwards. During the preceding weeks I had immersed myself in short stories to focus myself on what I felt were the most important aspects. I had been reading some classic stories by Edith Wharton, Scott Fitzgerald and Hardy. From the modern day I read, among others, Alice Monroe and Cornish writer Lucy Wood. I felt your story shared some of the qualities of these authors.)
New Writer Magazine:
Beautifully controlled language, a writer to watch. (Susannah Rickards, author of Salt's award winning book 'Hot Kitchen Snow')
Writer's Bureau November 2013, critique by author Iain Pattison:
Dark, disturbing, punchy and unnerving, this story sets the adrenalin rushing. It feels like being dropped into the middle of a modern film noir nightmare. The writing is crisp, dynamic and pared to the bone, the storytelling breakneck – yet, it stills manages to find time to paint a stark and compelling backdrop, to weave a hypnotic spell of menace and anticipation. The question that powers this enthralling story is just who is most in jeopardy – the prostitute narrator or her “john”? Who has most to hide, who poses the bigger danger? The writer pulls off the clever trick of making us empathize with the narrator, while simultaneously being appalled by the truly horrifying act she is contemplating. The narrative grips all the way through to the sucker punch ending that’s guaranteed to make the reader gasp.. Apart from the chilling plotline, I was particularly impressed by the amount of background information that was subtly woven into the tale – and the beguiling, but still Spartan, descriptions … sound of the door sucking itself softly shut…tupperwared ginger wine…a Marlboro clamped between electric pink lips…
A worthy winner that sticks in the memory long after reading.
Story Title: ‘Baking Blind.'
Collection/Anthology?: Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology 4 (Bristol Review of Books)
This is exactly what a short story should be – clear, precise and affecting. There are fleeting moments of tenderness in Baking Blind but the overall tone is one of sadness and despair; a feeling that becomes all the more apparent when one sits and reflects on the story afterwards. An excellent example of powerful storytelling, but one that is delivered in a subtle kind of way.
Dawn Howarth (Random House) judge of the Fowey Festival 2013:
A poignant, funny, moving story of middle-age and hope set on Brighton Pier. The writing was utterly controlled and the story unfolded expertly. A delight to read. (I came across your story towards the end of the process and read it with increasing excitement. It unfolded beautifully, your voice felt original and the story stayed with me afterwards. During the preceding weeks I had immersed myself in short stories to focus myself on what I felt were the most important aspects. I had been reading some classic stories by Edith Wharton, Scott Fitzgerald and Hardy. From the modern day I read, among others, Alice Monroe and Cornish writer Lucy Wood. I felt your story shared some of the qualities of these authors.)
New Writer Magazine:
Beautifully controlled language, a writer to watch. (Susannah Rickards, author of Salt's award winning book 'Hot Kitchen Snow')
Writer's Bureau November 2013, critique by author Iain Pattison:
Dark, disturbing, punchy and unnerving, this story sets the adrenalin rushing. It feels like being dropped into the middle of a modern film noir nightmare. The writing is crisp, dynamic and pared to the bone, the storytelling breakneck – yet, it stills manages to find time to paint a stark and compelling backdrop, to weave a hypnotic spell of menace and anticipation. The question that powers this enthralling story is just who is most in jeopardy – the prostitute narrator or her “john”? Who has most to hide, who poses the bigger danger? The writer pulls off the clever trick of making us empathize with the narrator, while simultaneously being appalled by the truly horrifying act she is contemplating. The narrative grips all the way through to the sucker punch ending that’s guaranteed to make the reader gasp.. Apart from the chilling plotline, I was particularly impressed by the amount of background information that was subtly woven into the tale – and the beguiling, but still Spartan, descriptions … sound of the door sucking itself softly shut…tupperwared ginger wine…a Marlboro clamped between electric pink lips…
A worthy winner that sticks in the memory long after reading.