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The Asking and other stories . . .
If Nicholas Sparks rewrote Hemingway's short stories in the style of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the result would be this dazzling collection.
- GenresShort Stories
ebook
First published April 13, 2011
16 people want to read
About the author
Charles G. Timm
4 books10 followersCharles G. Timm is an American author from New Jersey, who has earned a B.A. in English and practices several art forms, especially writing, acting, and drawing.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 29, 2011
I reviewed this book for The WM Review Connection
This collection of seven short stories is entertaining and thought-provoking. The title comes from one of my favourite stories in the anthology, but the theme of “asking” prevails throughout.
Each of the stories has its own characters and circumstances, yet each features a young (in one instance very young) man on the verge of personal discovery. The angst of the teenage boy searching for love - perhaps his first love, or even his father’s love - is a unifying theme which will resonate with both young adults and adults.
Asking and other stories…is populated with believable and well-rounded characters. There’s little Nick who’s suffered a huge loss in his young life and whose father is no longer the loving one he remembers; Christian who will resort to anything to integrate with the rest of his classmates; lovelorn Warren and his unrequited love; Knight who is discovering what attraction is – and it doesn’t mean wearing the same colour jacket; Gig and the horrors of a barbeque; the young man who’s tempted by a pregnant girl; and Nerian whose courage saves his sanity.
Each story is skilfully crafted and I particularly liked, if not the surprise, then the directness I felt with each main character even though I’m female and a good twenty years older than they are. The wisdom behind each tale made me ponder their predicaments and their often surprising solutions. Charles G. Timms is a master at creating real characters who I already missed once the story was over.
This collection of seven short stories is entertaining and thought-provoking. The title comes from one of my favourite stories in the anthology, but the theme of “asking” prevails throughout.
Each of the stories has its own characters and circumstances, yet each features a young (in one instance very young) man on the verge of personal discovery. The angst of the teenage boy searching for love - perhaps his first love, or even his father’s love - is a unifying theme which will resonate with both young adults and adults.
Asking and other stories…is populated with believable and well-rounded characters. There’s little Nick who’s suffered a huge loss in his young life and whose father is no longer the loving one he remembers; Christian who will resort to anything to integrate with the rest of his classmates; lovelorn Warren and his unrequited love; Knight who is discovering what attraction is – and it doesn’t mean wearing the same colour jacket; Gig and the horrors of a barbeque; the young man who’s tempted by a pregnant girl; and Nerian whose courage saves his sanity.
Each story is skilfully crafted and I particularly liked, if not the surprise, then the directness I felt with each main character even though I’m female and a good twenty years older than they are. The wisdom behind each tale made me ponder their predicaments and their often surprising solutions. Charles G. Timms is a master at creating real characters who I already missed once the story was over.
July 2, 2011
While not my typical fare, this is a nice collection of short stories. All the stories are very short so they are great for when someone just wants to read a few pages. I'm not going to pretend I am a short story connoisseur, but it does give the air of the Chicken Soup books. Every story has some sort of message, some discovery by the young protagonist about themselves or others. The prose is concise, but there were a couple of occasions where I would have liked a little more. But then again, it is not my typical genre. Not that there is anything wrong with inspirational stories, but I am a little out of my element when reviewing it.
Like I said, this collection reminds me a lot of the Chicken Soup books....particularly the teenage soul ones due to the age range of most of the protagonists. The stories are well written and I gave a 4-star ranking solely due to the fact that I would have liked a little more detail with a couple of the stories. But in all, it is a nice collection and I am glad I had to opportunity to read them and expand my reading material. A good buy for those seeking inspirational material, especially those who like material without so many religious undertones.
Like I said, this collection reminds me a lot of the Chicken Soup books....particularly the teenage soul ones due to the age range of most of the protagonists. The stories are well written and I gave a 4-star ranking solely due to the fact that I would have liked a little more detail with a couple of the stories. But in all, it is a nice collection and I am glad I had to opportunity to read them and expand my reading material. A good buy for those seeking inspirational material, especially those who like material without so many religious undertones.
August 5, 2011
This well-written set of seven short stories gives us vignettes on growing up, on love and loss, on seeing things through, on being a better person; each story provides a snippet of a look into someone’s life. Something I noticed, which I thought was pretty neat, was that each story – while it gave insights into the state of the main character’s life, and showed up he or she was growing up – also had a progressively older protagonist. Therefore, it wasn’t just about growing up, it also showed growing up through the progressive stories.
Anyone who is interested in short stories showing a slice-of-life vignettes, and about growing older, growing up, should find something to enjoy in this book. Pick it up – it’s worth the read.
Anyone who is interested in short stories showing a slice-of-life vignettes, and about growing older, growing up, should find something to enjoy in this book. Pick it up – it’s worth the read.
September 26, 2011
The Asking and Other Stories
By: Charles G. Timm
ASIN: B0058PJ080
Published April 13, 2011
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis from Goodreads: Seven short stories, intensely concerned with young people at the heart of change, struggling to do the right things in moments of surprising revelation, when life alters, often in unrecognizable ways, and it falls to the young to win back love, rescue friends, stand against the crowd, be the voices in the chaos, in lives as meaningful as those of any adult.
This is a beautifully written collection of short stories. Each story shows the reader a progressively older protagonist making important decisions and changes through each stage. These vignettes all about growing up are definitely worth checking out!
By: Charles G. Timm
ASIN: B0058PJ080
Published April 13, 2011
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis from Goodreads: Seven short stories, intensely concerned with young people at the heart of change, struggling to do the right things in moments of surprising revelation, when life alters, often in unrecognizable ways, and it falls to the young to win back love, rescue friends, stand against the crowd, be the voices in the chaos, in lives as meaningful as those of any adult.
This is a beautifully written collection of short stories. Each story shows the reader a progressively older protagonist making important decisions and changes through each stage. These vignettes all about growing up are definitely worth checking out!
October 29, 2011
Not my usual genre. And by that I mean realistic fiction not short stories. What I mean by realistic fiction is stories bases on pretty much present day with characters that think a lot or have more conversation then really much action. That would pretty much describe these stories.
I did not dislike it but it also did not feel overwhelmed with love for the stories. I try to think of one that really stuck out to me a memorable I would have to say the second to last story, The Ride, where two co-workers discuss there future, and hopes.
For me there wasn’t enough to the story to really get to know the characters or feel for them. I see some of them as good starts to something but really unfinished.
I did not dislike it but it also did not feel overwhelmed with love for the stories. I try to think of one that really stuck out to me a memorable I would have to say the second to last story, The Ride, where two co-workers discuss there future, and hopes.
For me there wasn’t enough to the story to really get to know the characters or feel for them. I see some of them as good starts to something but really unfinished.
June 23, 2011
A delightfully surprising and varied collection of short stories by Charles G. Timm.
Timm's snapshots of life capture the big feelings trapped in small events, from grief during a fishing trip to peer pressure in fight.
I was most impressed with Timm's prose. From the crisp, clean words reminiscent of Hemingway in the boy-to-man stories to the poetic, dreamy words of Nicholas Sparks in the stories of romantic love, Timm's command of the English language knows no bounds.
If you have only a few moments to read, buy this collection from smashwords. It is worth every penny and then some.
Timm's snapshots of life capture the big feelings trapped in small events, from grief during a fishing trip to peer pressure in fight.
I was most impressed with Timm's prose. From the crisp, clean words reminiscent of Hemingway in the boy-to-man stories to the poetic, dreamy words of Nicholas Sparks in the stories of romantic love, Timm's command of the English language knows no bounds.
If you have only a few moments to read, buy this collection from smashwords. It is worth every penny and then some.
July 15, 2011
A very thoughtful collection of seven short stories that would keep you entertained from the first one to the last.With sensitivity and talent the author captures surprising moments full of tension that are ultimately painting in real and vibrant colors impressive characters. These stories will stay with you...
June 30, 2011
A Beautiful compilation of short stories.This book took me back down memory lane I believe every bit of these stories still exist in society sweet,funny,sad yet true moments in reality which are indeed a learning experience hence thank you Mr. Charles G. Timm for the lovely reminder.
November 26, 2011
A wonderful set of short stories. I highly recommend these. I gave them 5 stars-a must read!
August 17, 2012
This is a well-written and interesting collection of short stories. The author strikes the right tone and prose throughout each story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews