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Seven for Reflection
These seven short stories delve into relationships, whether they are familial, with friends, or with strangers. They ask the reader to reflect upon each relationship and hopefully relate to one or more as having had a similar experience.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 3, 2016
Mehreen' review: PDF copy
Betty Mermelstein's, Seven for reflection is like the colours of the rainbow reflecting shades of all seven colours of multifarious human emotions. If each colour of the rainbow were to represent an emotion, then there they were enmeshed in one book of diverse feelings of jeopardy, betrayal, love, anger, fear, jealousy and finally boredom. Each story is knitted in a string of pearls together, yet individualistic in nature, descriptions, and locations. The story about a disastrous boat trip in Expectation on a fine nippy morning is shortly followed by an uphill journey in The Risings. And then the bittersweet theme of relationships in The Choices of Spring. Such tales leave a sense of nostalgia, as this reader moved on to the next one.
Betty Mermelstein's, Seven for reflection is like the colours of the rainbow reflecting shades of all seven colours of multifarious human emotions. If each colour of the rainbow were to represent an emotion, then there they were enmeshed in one book of diverse feelings of jeopardy, betrayal, love, anger, fear, jealousy and finally boredom. Each story is knitted in a string of pearls together, yet individualistic in nature, descriptions, and locations. The story about a disastrous boat trip in Expectation on a fine nippy morning is shortly followed by an uphill journey in The Risings. And then the bittersweet theme of relationships in The Choices of Spring. Such tales leave a sense of nostalgia, as this reader moved on to the next one.
June 4, 2016
This is a delightful collection of beautifully-written short stories with well-defined characters and vivid imagery.
Although the title suggests a theme of reflection, the narrative binding these stories together spoke to me of loss and regret, tinged with a hint of poignancy and sadness. These essential elements all have a deep association with the human condition which the author successfully manages to extract and weave into a cohesive whole.
The unique psychological insight into each character’s life combined with the authenticity of the author’s voice make it hard to imagine they could not have been influenced to some degree by her own personal experience.
Betty’s broad, descriptive style and focus on the fragility of relationships reminded me of the writing of Raymond Carver and his tales of the dispossessed. This book is ideal for those who enjoy immersing themselves in stories about the human experience with all its trials and complexities.
Although the title suggests a theme of reflection, the narrative binding these stories together spoke to me of loss and regret, tinged with a hint of poignancy and sadness. These essential elements all have a deep association with the human condition which the author successfully manages to extract and weave into a cohesive whole.
The unique psychological insight into each character’s life combined with the authenticity of the author’s voice make it hard to imagine they could not have been influenced to some degree by her own personal experience.
Betty’s broad, descriptive style and focus on the fragility of relationships reminded me of the writing of Raymond Carver and his tales of the dispossessed. This book is ideal for those who enjoy immersing themselves in stories about the human experience with all its trials and complexities.
January 7, 2016
A lovely collection of myriad characters, settings and emotions. Each story is distinct and individual in its portrayal. It was a pleasure to read metaphor, analogy and other literary devices that add so much depth to the smooth flow of well written words. "The wave bypassed the surfers to accomplish its mission on the shore. It spread over the sand to lay out its fine wares to interested wanderers of the beach." being a fine example. It would be tough to choose a favourite in this collection but if I had to, it would be a tie between Dying Wish and Close to Sainthood.
Even though at times, some of the stories draw to a natural or expected conclusion, they make their way to the end with utmost subtlety and grace. A good read, definitely.
Even though at times, some of the stories draw to a natural or expected conclusion, they make their way to the end with utmost subtlety and grace. A good read, definitely.
February 1, 2016
Overall the author is a capable writer and has a keen eye for world building. When she is writing natural, everyday events she does so wonderfully and the characters are real and vivid. For my taste it is when the author delves into more supernatural phenomenon that I am less sure but we all have different tastes.
The first story in this collection is written with confidence and in a clear, straightforward manner that gives a wide sense of what inhabits the world the author creates without bogging you down in superfluous text.
The second story is bold in its undertaking but doesn't quite pull off the feat. There are two very different phases in the story and I don't think they quite work together. But the story certainly paints a scene and articulates a strong desire in almost everyone to have more certainty over what comes with death.
'The Reunion' is my favourite of the collection. It is well crafted and populates the scenes with interesting characters who you could walk off with onto another story if you weren't already in the middle of one. The central story is compelling and I was happy to see it unfold. The descriptions of aging were also interesting to read and made me think I probably don't read much from the point of view of older people.
'Close to Sainthood' was a neat piece between two characters primarily and I got the sense they knew each other and had a history together. Their relationship worked for me. Perhaps a little too much was said early on but that might just be me.
The next tale was enjoyable and the main character was one I liked finding out about. On one or two occasions I felt something was out of place but they were minor pieces related to how a character said something.
The final two stories are perhaps the ones I liked the least. But both had their moments of interest and appeal. These are two of the author's earlier pieces and that made sense to me once I saw read that. The confidence and ability that becomes the writer later is there but sometimes a foot is misplaced and you are taken out of the story.
The first story in this collection is written with confidence and in a clear, straightforward manner that gives a wide sense of what inhabits the world the author creates without bogging you down in superfluous text.
The second story is bold in its undertaking but doesn't quite pull off the feat. There are two very different phases in the story and I don't think they quite work together. But the story certainly paints a scene and articulates a strong desire in almost everyone to have more certainty over what comes with death.
'The Reunion' is my favourite of the collection. It is well crafted and populates the scenes with interesting characters who you could walk off with onto another story if you weren't already in the middle of one. The central story is compelling and I was happy to see it unfold. The descriptions of aging were also interesting to read and made me think I probably don't read much from the point of view of older people.
'Close to Sainthood' was a neat piece between two characters primarily and I got the sense they knew each other and had a history together. Their relationship worked for me. Perhaps a little too much was said early on but that might just be me.
The next tale was enjoyable and the main character was one I liked finding out about. On one or two occasions I felt something was out of place but they were minor pieces related to how a character said something.
The final two stories are perhaps the ones I liked the least. But both had their moments of interest and appeal. These are two of the author's earlier pieces and that made sense to me once I saw read that. The confidence and ability that becomes the writer later is there but sometimes a foot is misplaced and you are taken out of the story.
September 21, 2012
In this collection, there are surprise endings, romance, whimsey, and strong emotion. 'The Choices of Spring' has the most in-depth character development, and 'The Risings' makes you think harder about family relationships.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews