Milk and Other Stories

by Simon Fruelund, K. E. Semmel (Translator)

The 14 stories in this collection display the often quiet, inconspicuous way in which terrible truths and experiences are intimated: the death of a sailboarder makes a widower see deeper into love and loss; a young poet visits his former teacher only to discover he is literally not the person he used to be; a middle-aged man glimpses the terrible humdrum of his third marriage as his son embarks on a new chapter in his life. Conveyed without grandeur or pathos, the revelations in these minimalist stories demonstrate clearly and effectively Fruelund’s gift of subtlety and nuance; like scenes from life, characters’ dramas are played out in brief but brilliant flashes. Ranging across the wide arc of human experience, from the comic to the tragic, each piece explores the complex emotions of the human heart.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Simon Fruelund er født i 1966 og debuterede i 1997 med novellesamlingen Mælk. Siden er udkommet Planer for sommeren (noveller mm) og romanerne Borgerligt tusmørke og Verden og Varvara. Han har modtaget Statens Kunstfonds treårige legat, Henri Nathansens Fødselsdags Legat og Otto Rungs Forfatterlegat. Han er uddannet på Københavns Universitet, University of California, Irvine og Forfatterskolen. Fra 1997-2006 arbejdede han som forlagsredaktør på Gyldendal, men har siden ernæret sig som forfatter og oversætter. Hans egne værker er oversat til bl.a. italiensk og engelsk.

Reviews

[Anushree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always thought plotless stories are spineless unless they are poetic in prose at the least with some parting message to reflect on. I have been so wrong! I owe this epiphany to this short story anthology which is unlike anything I have read before. Slice of life genre, these (fourteen) stories possess body language, a certain way of communicating by a way of mannerism which is unique and refreshing. The stories are neither plot-driven nor do they possess poetic fineness. It's the milieu and characters of these stories that let us experience something between the light and shadow in random clippings from everyday life, something like an inaudible sigh, a muffled scream, a dull ache or a non-committal shrug. These stories exude an effervescent afterthought that lingers on not unlike an exquisite perfume on last night's shirt. It is near impossible to pick a favourite; most of the stories will stick with me for a long long time because of the unusual, minimalistic narrative style that accentuates the core dissatisfaction and elemental fatigue of everyday existence. A must-read if you like literary fiction!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and for the most part really enjoyed the many thrillers and mysteries written by Nordic author. This, however, is the first time I read a book of short stories by one. Short book, many of the stories are three or four pages and yet I was enthralled. I really enjoyed these stories, the bleak atmosphere, lyrical prose, no words wasted and all stories of moments in a relationship. Snapshots of understanding or enlightenment,

I liked them all, I cannot say I understood them all, but I was compelled to continue reading. They are after all, short enough for me to re-read some of them and when I do I will probably see things I have missed. Hard to do stories this short, and still keep them interesting.

[Cecilie Bech · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought the book because I was meeting the author, and he was so nice, and signed my book! But I was suprised, how much I accually liked it. It was really good. I enjoy reading about love, but I've never read a collection of novels before, so it was nice reading something new.

[Donny Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of stories that focus on the mundane nature of life's hardest lessons.

[Doris Friis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realisme i korte noveller - ikke alle umiddelbart forståelige, men spændende. Brugt i projekt med litteraturcoaching for 3. G‘ere