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Confessions: Fact or Fiction?: a collection of short stories and memoir
A priest sleeps with a parishioner…a boy loses faith in his father…a little girl ruins her cousin’s marriage…a man is imprisoned with Frog Woman…a married woman knows she’s a slut.
These twenty-two stories of love, lies, loss and betrayal explore the fragile boundary between truth and fiction. Confessions: Fact or Fiction? invites the reader to decide which stories are “true” and which are not.
These twenty-two stories of love, lies, loss and betrayal explore the fragile boundary between truth and fiction. Confessions: Fact or Fiction? invites the reader to decide which stories are “true” and which are not.
- GenresShort Stories
166 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2010
1 person is currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Herta B. Feely
4 books12 followersSee also Herta Feely
I'm a writer who secretly wishes she was a full-time adventurer and world traveler. Writing (and reading) allows me to travel to distant lands and meet fascinating people, visit exotic places, and explore the far reaches of my mind. This began in childhood when I read dozens of books in the backyard, lying under a leafy tree, leading an adventurous life! Anything was possible. Now I yearn to sit behind my computer/typewriter while looking out at the ocean (or lake or river or sea) and let my imagination soar.
Just finished my novel, Saving Phoebe Murrow, a contemporary story of Facebook gone wrong, mothers and daughters, girls and mean girls...a mystery, a psychological domestic thriller...a book to read while sitting before a turbulent ocean or a quiet lake.
I've also written short fiction and memoir, that's been published in literary journals and anthologies.
I'm a writer who secretly wishes she was a full-time adventurer and world traveler. Writing (and reading) allows me to travel to distant lands and meet fascinating people, visit exotic places, and explore the far reaches of my mind. This began in childhood when I read dozens of books in the backyard, lying under a leafy tree, leading an adventurous life! Anything was possible. Now I yearn to sit behind my computer/typewriter while looking out at the ocean (or lake or river or sea) and let my imagination soar.
Just finished my novel, Saving Phoebe Murrow, a contemporary story of Facebook gone wrong, mothers and daughters, girls and mean girls...a mystery, a psychological domestic thriller...a book to read while sitting before a turbulent ocean or a quiet lake.
I've also written short fiction and memoir, that's been published in literary journals and anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 5, 2012
A collection of 22 stories of love, lies, loss and betrayal that explore the fragile boundary between truth and fiction. An exciting and unique read, "Confessions" invites the reader to decide which stories are "true" and which are not.
August 23, 2012
This review is re-posted from http://elucidreams.blogspot.com/
It’s a cliché to say that the truth is stranger than fiction, the truth has to work within the bonds to reality, but fiction can be anything we wish…
Teaser/Why you’ll love it: This book is an anthology of wonderfully talented writers. Each story could easily work as a standalone. You’ll find yourself wanting to know more, as each tale varies in length and some end abruptly. Many of the accounts are personal tales, and the authors do an excellent job walking the line between fantasy and reality. Even though you’re aware that not all of the stories in the anthology are real, you’ll find yourself wondering about is each one. Considering that the stories are short, this anthology that can be enjoyed over a period of weeks. It’s an excellent choice someone that likes reading a little at time but also being thoroughly entertained.
One important thing to consider when reading this book: “Does your perception of the stories and the authors vary based upon which ones seem real and which seem contrived?” Stories like the ones presented in this anthology are sent to publishers every day, most are rejected as novels. However, it is often true that same story would be accepted is submitted as memoir or true story. Consider that when reading this book.
Did I like it?: Overall yes, I found each story engaging, some of them blended together seamlessly, others ended abruptly when I was looking for more. When I was reading, it was easy to forget that many of the accounts were not all real. In fact I had a difficult time discerning which of the authors wrote factual story and which were simply spinning a tale. The use of person narration works well in this anthology, and adds to the illusion of realism. After finishing the entire collection I still have no idea which stories were true, however that is part of the fun. I would both recommend and read this book again.
Caveats: None
Who’s it for:
• Casual readers
• Advent readers
• All ages
• Anthology/short story lovers
Overall Rating: 5/5
It’s a cliché to say that the truth is stranger than fiction, the truth has to work within the bonds to reality, but fiction can be anything we wish…
Teaser/Why you’ll love it: This book is an anthology of wonderfully talented writers. Each story could easily work as a standalone. You’ll find yourself wanting to know more, as each tale varies in length and some end abruptly. Many of the accounts are personal tales, and the authors do an excellent job walking the line between fantasy and reality. Even though you’re aware that not all of the stories in the anthology are real, you’ll find yourself wondering about is each one. Considering that the stories are short, this anthology that can be enjoyed over a period of weeks. It’s an excellent choice someone that likes reading a little at time but also being thoroughly entertained.
One important thing to consider when reading this book: “Does your perception of the stories and the authors vary based upon which ones seem real and which seem contrived?” Stories like the ones presented in this anthology are sent to publishers every day, most are rejected as novels. However, it is often true that same story would be accepted is submitted as memoir or true story. Consider that when reading this book.
Did I like it?: Overall yes, I found each story engaging, some of them blended together seamlessly, others ended abruptly when I was looking for more. When I was reading, it was easy to forget that many of the accounts were not all real. In fact I had a difficult time discerning which of the authors wrote factual story and which were simply spinning a tale. The use of person narration works well in this anthology, and adds to the illusion of realism. After finishing the entire collection I still have no idea which stories were true, however that is part of the fun. I would both recommend and read this book again.
Caveats: None
Who’s it for:
• Casual readers
• Advent readers
• All ages
• Anthology/short story lovers
Overall Rating: 5/5
September 4, 2014
LOVE the concept! The editors are playing with the gray area between fact and fiction by placing narrative at the center of both kinds of writing (stories or memoirs). A thoroughly intriguing premise, and the book did not disappoint. I did find myself wishing I liked it a bit better (I was really predicting a 5-star book based on the premise), but a solid 4 is nothing to be ashamed of. I just felt a bit as though the "answers" were telegraphed. The stories tended to be much more deliberately crafted and the memoirs were told as exactly that--narrative memories (without as many of the stylized aspects of the fictional stories). So despite being a mild disappointment (which had as much to do with my expectations as anything else), a worthy experiment and a very recommendable book.
November 19, 2013
This is fantastic. This collection of short stories (some fiction, some non-fiction) challenge the reader's view on the soul of fiction. No author writes fiction without personal experience, just as no author's non-fiction is entirely free of a bit of finesse around the edges. At the end of the book, you learn whether the story was fact or fiction, along with a personal note from each author on the inspiration behind the tale. The stories in the book were thoughtfully chosen, full of vibrant imagery and rich experiences. These stories stand on their own, but in the context of fact vs. fiction, it makes an especially interesting read. Loved it.
June 1, 2012
Great anthology! This book is filled with some great short stories from extremely accomplished writers. It was a unique concept, and I enjoyed exploring the difference between fact and fiction and testing myself to see which stories were true. I would definitely recommend this book!
October 26, 2014
Took me a while to get to it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. A very thought provoking collection of stories. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews