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Cage Life
This collection of short stories by Karin Cox explores the choices and compromises we make in love, and how they can trap or liberate us depending on our mindset. Each story comes with an unexpected twist that makes reading all the way to the end imperative.
In "Cage Life," first published by [untitled] magazine in 2010 as "Still Life," a young mum feels like a prisoner in her own home. Her decision to escape the bonds of marriage and motherhood, just for a few hours, has unexpected consequences that force her to a re-evaluate what it really means to be loved, to be married, and to be free.
In "The Usurper," unconditional love is explored within the boundaries of age and longing. Basil is in his eighties, with an illustrious career in law enforcement behind him, when he meets Carla — a beautiful, energetic and much younger mistress. But when Simon appears on the scene, can Basil keep her or does she, in fact, keep him?
In "Cage Life," first published by [untitled] magazine in 2010 as "Still Life," a young mum feels like a prisoner in her own home. Her decision to escape the bonds of marriage and motherhood, just for a few hours, has unexpected consequences that force her to a re-evaluate what it really means to be loved, to be married, and to be free.
In "The Usurper," unconditional love is explored within the boundaries of age and longing. Basil is in his eighties, with an illustrious career in law enforcement behind him, when he meets Carla — a beautiful, energetic and much younger mistress. But when Simon appears on the scene, can Basil keep her or does she, in fact, keep him?
34 pages, ebook
First published July 17, 2011
23 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Karin Cox
41 books98 followersKARIN COX is an Australian author who writes in her “spare time” while being a fulltime mum to two precocious girls and a black cat with the improbable name of "Ping Pong." She is the author of more than 50 trade-published titles, including children’s and adult fiction, biographies and travel guides, and Australian natural and social history texts, several of which are award-winning. Being so busy hopping from one genre to another, she runs almost wholly on white wine and insomnia, which could account for the cray-cray, but probably doesn’t.
Her poems and short stories have been published in anthologies worldwide, and her novels and anthologies GROWTH, CAGE LIFE, CROWS AND OTHER BEASTS, CRUXIM, CRECHE, CREED, DARK GUARDIANS and WHAT THE SEA WANTS are available from all good online distributors and bookstores. Titles in Karin’s bestselling DARK GUARDIANS trilogy have several times topped best-seller charts for gothic romance and dark fantasy.
FACEBOOK: http://smarturl.it/KCfacebook (approx. (www.facebook.com/KarinCox.Author)
TWITTER: http://smarturl.it/KCtwitter
(https://twitter.com/Authorandeditor)
WEBPAGE: http://smarturl.it/karin (www.karincox.com)
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/authorandeditor/
iGoogle: https://plus.google.com/u/0/
Her poems and short stories have been published in anthologies worldwide, and her novels and anthologies GROWTH, CAGE LIFE, CROWS AND OTHER BEASTS, CRUXIM, CRECHE, CREED, DARK GUARDIANS and WHAT THE SEA WANTS are available from all good online distributors and bookstores. Titles in Karin’s bestselling DARK GUARDIANS trilogy have several times topped best-seller charts for gothic romance and dark fantasy.
FACEBOOK: http://smarturl.it/KCfacebook (approx. (www.facebook.com/KarinCox.Author)
TWITTER: http://smarturl.it/KCtwitter
(https://twitter.com/Authorandeditor)
WEBPAGE: http://smarturl.it/karin (www.karincox.com)
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/authorandeditor/
iGoogle: https://plus.google.com/u/0/
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 28, 2012
CRÍTICA
Li durante a maratona de 25 de Março de 2012 e atribuo-lhe quatro estrelas.
“Cage Life” surge combinada com outra história intitulada “The Usurper”. Gostei mais da primeira, pois era mais emotiva. Creio que a autora transmitiu bem os sentimentos que afligiam as personagens. É uma história dramática e o final deixou-me a ansiar por mais. Se fosse bem explorada (no sentido de se tornar uma narrativa mais extensa e aprofundada), daria um livro bem ao estilo de Nicholas Sparks e não lhe ficaria atrás, dado o talento que a autora tem para a escrita.
BLURB
I read it during the marathon of March 25, 2012 and I rate it four stars.
"Life Cage" is combined with another short story entitled "The Usurper". I liked the first one better, because it was more emotional. I think the author conveyed very well the feelings that plagued the characters. It is a dramatic story and the end left me craving more. If it was explored any farther (in the sense of becoming a more extensive and detailed narrative), it could turn into a book in the style of Nicholas Sparks. And it would not stay behind any of his books, since the author is a quite gifted writer.
Li durante a maratona de 25 de Março de 2012 e atribuo-lhe quatro estrelas.
“Cage Life” surge combinada com outra história intitulada “The Usurper”. Gostei mais da primeira, pois era mais emotiva. Creio que a autora transmitiu bem os sentimentos que afligiam as personagens. É uma história dramática e o final deixou-me a ansiar por mais. Se fosse bem explorada (no sentido de se tornar uma narrativa mais extensa e aprofundada), daria um livro bem ao estilo de Nicholas Sparks e não lhe ficaria atrás, dado o talento que a autora tem para a escrita.
BLURB
I read it during the marathon of March 25, 2012 and I rate it four stars.
"Life Cage" is combined with another short story entitled "The Usurper". I liked the first one better, because it was more emotional. I think the author conveyed very well the feelings that plagued the characters. It is a dramatic story and the end left me craving more. If it was explored any farther (in the sense of becoming a more extensive and detailed narrative), it could turn into a book in the style of Nicholas Sparks. And it would not stay behind any of his books, since the author is a quite gifted writer.
June 28, 2013
The common theme uniting the two short stories by Australian writer Karin Cox in this kindle e-book is a caged in, trapped feeling.
The first short story ("Cage Life") features a mis-matched couple, a free spirit wife and her straitlaced husband. She feels trapped in her marriage, living in a soul-less house and raising a toddler. They met in college in a drug-filled flophouse (there is way too much description of this part of the story for me) and she is afraid that she and her husband have moved too far apart, that the marriage was based on a temporary willingness to meet each other halfway. But, something heartbreaking happens (that I cannot disclose but it strikes you right in the heart) and it changes everything. I rate this story 3 stars out of 5.
The second short story (The Usurper) is one of those stories that mislead the whole time until you get to the very end and they you have one of those delightful "Ah-Ha!" moments and you realize what the story is really about. I rate this story 5 stars out of 5.
So, two stories. One rates 3 stars, one rates 5 stars. That makes a 4 star average.
See more of my reviews at http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
The first short story ("Cage Life") features a mis-matched couple, a free spirit wife and her straitlaced husband. She feels trapped in her marriage, living in a soul-less house and raising a toddler. They met in college in a drug-filled flophouse (there is way too much description of this part of the story for me) and she is afraid that she and her husband have moved too far apart, that the marriage was based on a temporary willingness to meet each other halfway. But, something heartbreaking happens (that I cannot disclose but it strikes you right in the heart) and it changes everything. I rate this story 3 stars out of 5.
The second short story (The Usurper) is one of those stories that mislead the whole time until you get to the very end and they you have one of those delightful "Ah-Ha!" moments and you realize what the story is really about. I rate this story 5 stars out of 5.
So, two stories. One rates 3 stars, one rates 5 stars. That makes a 4 star average.
See more of my reviews at http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
February 12, 2013
This book consists of two stories, covering some rather dark subject matter.
The first one takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn, but ends on a note of hope.
The second story was my favorite of the two. It has a sort of sad magic to it. The surprise ending compelled me to return to the beginning and read the story again, seeing it from a completely different perspective. It’s kind of a special thing when a story can do that.
Brilliantly written, well executed stories. I’m looking forward to reading this author’s latest book, Cruxim.
The first one takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn, but ends on a note of hope.
The second story was my favorite of the two. It has a sort of sad magic to it. The surprise ending compelled me to return to the beginning and read the story again, seeing it from a completely different perspective. It’s kind of a special thing when a story can do that.
Brilliantly written, well executed stories. I’m looking forward to reading this author’s latest book, Cruxim.
August 3, 2011
These extremely thought-provoking, emotive, eloquently written narratives will gift the reader with nothing short of a satisfying, mesmerising read. The stories are layered with meaning and questions will be asked – but Karin’s exceptional writing style subtlety gives clues that allow you to understand and appreciate the plots’ deeper interpretations. I highly recommend Karin’s work and have no doubt that any reader will enjoy delving into the stories she creates.
October 2, 2011
This is one of those books that make's a reader think about things that has happened in there life. It is a sad, crying, wonderful book. The author really captured the beginning and end of life in each story. I put it under my inspirational shelf because it could inspire a reader to change things in there life. Hope to read future work by this author. This is a free book in the Kindle store.
August 2, 2011
Cox is an eloquent and talented writer whose poetic prose in the two short stories of "Cage Life" draws the reader in. "Cage Life" is beautiful and heartbreaking, while "The Usurper" has a surprise ending that took me completely off-guard. Her descriptions are vivid and her characters are real. I'm looking forward to reading much more by Karin Cox.
October 13, 2011
This book is made up of 2 short stories. Like life, they both are just snapshots of a time in the lives of the characters, and both left me feeling sort of incomplete at the end. Both were good, but the second was the better one, in my opinion.
September 30, 2011
Two wonderfully written stories by an author with a talent for beautiful prose. Sad subjects but a good, very quick read.
October 2, 2011
Very cool stories with a totally unexpected twist. Only drawback is I really wish there were more!
January 23, 2013
Well written and engaging, both stories are reflections on life and loss and going forward. The second story, my favorite, kept me on my toes. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
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December 28, 2012Review to come soon
November 8, 2022
Cage Life (Love in the Time of Literature Book 1)
This was an ok book how ever I do wish that the author had done more to make it more interesting. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
This was an ok book how ever I do wish that the author had done more to make it more interesting. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
February 9, 2013
I was surprised by this book. The subject matter was incredibly dark – Uglier and grimmer than I was expecting. Both stories deal with serious subjects and are told using a no-nonsense type of prose that is succinct and strangely compelling. The writing and story execution is very well done, and the stories each critically examine different social issues at a personal level, though they both explore the idea of feeling trapped, unfulfilled and lonely.
I read the entire book in a single afternoon. After finishing Still Life I felt an almost suffocating sense of melancholia and sadness. I could not identify with the main character to any great extent. I felt more empathy for her maligned spouse. This couple never should have married, in my opinion. I read on with the thought that perhaps the next story would be less intense.
The Usurper evoked in me a feeling of hopeless disillusionment and inescapable abandonment. I really felt Simon’s fear, consternation and frailty; I wanted him to find some comfort in the worst way. Instead, he remained trapped in a situation from which there is only one escape really.
As I stated, both stories are well-written and explore subject matter that most of us can relate to, at least to some extent, on some level. Personally, I read mainly to escape and I prefer to be left feeling happy, or at least with a feeling of satisfaction or the sense that justice has prevailed. These left me saddened and morose – not feelings I personally wish to hold on to. Thought-provoking and disturbing but, honestly speaking, not something I would care to re-read.
This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I read the entire book in a single afternoon. After finishing Still Life I felt an almost suffocating sense of melancholia and sadness. I could not identify with the main character to any great extent. I felt more empathy for her maligned spouse. This couple never should have married, in my opinion. I read on with the thought that perhaps the next story would be less intense.
The Usurper evoked in me a feeling of hopeless disillusionment and inescapable abandonment. I really felt Simon’s fear, consternation and frailty; I wanted him to find some comfort in the worst way. Instead, he remained trapped in a situation from which there is only one escape really.
As I stated, both stories are well-written and explore subject matter that most of us can relate to, at least to some extent, on some level. Personally, I read mainly to escape and I prefer to be left feeling happy, or at least with a feeling of satisfaction or the sense that justice has prevailed. These left me saddened and morose – not feelings I personally wish to hold on to. Thought-provoking and disturbing but, honestly speaking, not something I would care to re-read.
This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
July 29, 2015
Originally posted at Butterfly-o-Meter Books on Nov 8 2011:
Wow!
Ok, so I’m gonna start by saying I wouldn’t be able to pick one story I liked the most out of the two. But it was a strange love/hate relationship between me and not the stories as written works, but the stories of the characters involved. And I bet you’re already like .
The writing is very, very good. It has it all, substance, poise, elegance, great rhythm, gorgeous descriptive mad skillz, beautiful imagery (in places), slightly horrifying imagery (in others). That is to say, the stories are such that they juggle with both beauty and ugliness in that very human way, you know? I’m not going to give you a lot of details on this, or I’d ruin your read and I’d hate to do that.
But I am going to say that the stories are rather harsh reads; they’re quick, beautifully done, but harsh. Now, this being a time of the year I’m not exactly a cheery smurf, these sort of harsh reads are something I generally avoid. I need feel-good reads when I’m in my dark mood part of the year. So had I read this more like during summer or spring, I’m sure it would have been a 5 butterflies read for sure. The 4 butterflies are my emotional-response rating, as all my ratings are in fact. The writing is beautifully done, it’s just I wasn’t really in the proper mood to fully enjoy a harsh read, that’s all.
If you like short stories with substance, and memorable stories, and if you’re rather brave of heart, I say you must read these, they’re beautiful though painful as well.
Wow!
Ok, so I’m gonna start by saying I wouldn’t be able to pick one story I liked the most out of the two. But it was a strange love/hate relationship between me and not the stories as written works, but the stories of the characters involved. And I bet you’re already like .
The writing is very, very good. It has it all, substance, poise, elegance, great rhythm, gorgeous descriptive mad skillz, beautiful imagery (in places), slightly horrifying imagery (in others). That is to say, the stories are such that they juggle with both beauty and ugliness in that very human way, you know? I’m not going to give you a lot of details on this, or I’d ruin your read and I’d hate to do that.
But I am going to say that the stories are rather harsh reads; they’re quick, beautifully done, but harsh. Now, this being a time of the year I’m not exactly a cheery smurf, these sort of harsh reads are something I generally avoid. I need feel-good reads when I’m in my dark mood part of the year. So had I read this more like during summer or spring, I’m sure it would have been a 5 butterflies read for sure. The 4 butterflies are my emotional-response rating, as all my ratings are in fact. The writing is beautifully done, it’s just I wasn’t really in the proper mood to fully enjoy a harsh read, that’s all.
If you like short stories with substance, and memorable stories, and if you’re rather brave of heart, I say you must read these, they’re beautiful though painful as well.
November 15, 2012
Karin Cox worked as an editor in Australia and the UK before turning to writing full time. She has written dozens of titles including travel guides, poetry, children's books and fiction. Cage Life is an electronic publication containing two short stories that explore the common theme of love. I thought them both well structured within the constraints of the format, and elegantly written.
In the first story 'Cage Life', after which the book is titled, Cox thoughtfully explores the emotional restlessness of a young wife and mother who is chafing against the confines of her quiet life, and the dramatic consequences she faces when she takes that life for granted. Unexpectedly dark and emotionally raw I ultimately thought Cage Life to be a moving tale of redemption and hope.
In 'The Usurper', Cox questions the surety of unconditional love in the face of aging as Basil questions his young mistress's loyalty to their relationship. The unexpected twist in this story in particular is stunning, the shift in perspective took me completely by surprise but worked brilliantly.
Cage Life can be quickly devoured in a lunch time or commuter trip but will leave a lasting impression. If this collection is representative of Karin's writing talent, I am sure she will find success as an author of fiction.
January 30, 2014
This book had two very unique stories in it. The first one was simply amazing… The character started with nothing.. Hanging out in a dope short stop close to college and ended up in elite life with all she could ever want desire or ask for. She felt caged… adored, loved provided for within her marriage and child … and yet the invisible bars were there. Her free spirit was a memory that she brought forth one afternoon. A long time visitor came… with a tragic story and together they went down memory lane and then… the sudden happening… so terrifying… unexpected and neither had the ability to undo it…or deal with it and I found myself turning page after page to find out… to get to the end… hoping it would all end up…
The second story was well written and the characters pulled at your mind and heart. The main character found life close to the end result and love in a younger woman who took him home to love and take care of.. until Simon… and the weaker Basil got… losing his ability to manage and control certain body functions…you find yourself inside Basil head and thoughts, you view his actions and want to urge him on to safety… the neglect, humiliation and abuse, caring and love keeps you wanting to control and change what is not real….it’s a book…only a book and yet you feel like you had actually walked beside Basil.
This book was bought via Amazon.
The second story was well written and the characters pulled at your mind and heart. The main character found life close to the end result and love in a younger woman who took him home to love and take care of.. until Simon… and the weaker Basil got… losing his ability to manage and control certain body functions…you find yourself inside Basil head and thoughts, you view his actions and want to urge him on to safety… the neglect, humiliation and abuse, caring and love keeps you wanting to control and change what is not real….it’s a book…only a book and yet you feel like you had actually walked beside Basil.
This book was bought via Amazon.
January 20, 2013
More like 3.5 stars. This book included 2 short stories: Cage Life and Usurper. The first story is about a young married woman who feels like she's living in a cage. She takes a few hours out of her normal day to unwind a bit when the unthinkable happens. I won't say any more as it will ruin it for others.
In Usurper (second short story), an 80-something year old man has a much younger woman who was his care-taker before becoming his mistress. I'm not sure exactly how to explain this one...the story was just strange.
I enjoyed the first short story much better than the second (hence the 3.5 stars). I'd be willing to try this author's full length novels at some point. I'm curious to know if her writing style changes or if the reader is left hanging at the end.
In Usurper (second short story), an 80-something year old man has a much younger woman who was his care-taker before becoming his mistress. I'm not sure exactly how to explain this one...the story was just strange.
I enjoyed the first short story much better than the second (hence the 3.5 stars). I'd be willing to try this author's full length novels at some point. I'm curious to know if her writing style changes or if the reader is left hanging at the end.
September 2, 2013
These two short stories fit the title of the book perfectly.
Still Life was amazing! It tells the story of a young single mother, disillusioned with her marriage and her husband. It's very believable, and I really felt her frustration throughout. My heart sank at some of the tragedies she had to endure, and I cheered inwardly at some of the victories that she won.
The Usurper was also very good. It's about an ailing old man who's been taken in by a much younger women, who loves him and whom he falls in love with. It's the story of their relationship together, and the trials that it faces.
Definitely a great couple of stories, well worth the read. Karin Cox's writing style is... well, not quite unparallelled, but very pleasant indeed!
Still Life was amazing! It tells the story of a young single mother, disillusioned with her marriage and her husband. It's very believable, and I really felt her frustration throughout. My heart sank at some of the tragedies she had to endure, and I cheered inwardly at some of the victories that she won.
The Usurper was also very good. It's about an ailing old man who's been taken in by a much younger women, who loves him and whom he falls in love with. It's the story of their relationship together, and the trials that it faces.
Definitely a great couple of stories, well worth the read. Karin Cox's writing style is... well, not quite unparallelled, but very pleasant indeed!
November 13, 2011
Engaging characters in both novellas. Good stories.
October 12, 2012
The book was 2 short stories I enjoyed the 1st one but the 2nd one just confused me until the end when you realize the main character wasn't what you thought he was.
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February 25, 2016on kindle, 2 short stories.
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