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Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Stories
Humorous and horrifying, tender and absurd, the stories in Quickly, While They Still Have Horses offer a fresh, irreverent look at life in post-conflict Northern Ireland. From first loves to strained relationships to the thrills and terrors of growing up to the dangers and challenges of parenthood, Carson infuses her stories with empathy, dark wit, and a surreal edge.
In “A Certain Degree of Ownership,” a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously toward the sea. In “Grand So,” the ghost of a car’s previous owner haunts the backseat. In “Troubling the Water,” a rumor of miraculous healing creates chaos at a public swimming pool.
Carson never fails to shock and delight as kids go missing in jungle gyms, a baby washes up on a riverbank in a biscuit tin, and a bloody hand appears (and reappears) in a refrigerator. Every so often, these stories travel into alternative versions of our world, where pillars of fire are a new treatment for mental illness and animals deemed nonessential are going extinct by legislative orders. While the legacy of the Troubles is never far from Carson’s mind, it is only a backdrop to the worlds she’s woven in these stories, driven by characters who feel real enough to touch.
In “A Certain Degree of Ownership,” a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously toward the sea. In “Grand So,” the ghost of a car’s previous owner haunts the backseat. In “Troubling the Water,” a rumor of miraculous healing creates chaos at a public swimming pool.
Carson never fails to shock and delight as kids go missing in jungle gyms, a baby washes up on a riverbank in a biscuit tin, and a bloody hand appears (and reappears) in a refrigerator. Every so often, these stories travel into alternative versions of our world, where pillars of fire are a new treatment for mental illness and animals deemed nonessential are going extinct by legislative orders. While the legacy of the Troubles is never far from Carson’s mind, it is only a backdrop to the worlds she’s woven in these stories, driven by characters who feel real enough to touch.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2024
88 people are currently reading
5251 people want to read
About the author
Jan Carson
28 books240 followersJan Carson is a writer and community arts development officer currently based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University Belfast and an MLitt. In Theology and Contemporary Culture from St. Andrew’s University, Scotland. Jan has had short stories published in literary journals on both sides of the Atlantic, has had two of her plays produced for the Belfast stage and is a current recipient of the Arts Council NI’s Artist’s Career Enhancement Bursary. Her first novel, “Malcolm Orange Disappears” will be published by Liberties Press, Dublin on June 2nd 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
July 29, 2024
More Than Just Troubled
“Quickly, While They Still Have Horses” is a wildly robust collection. Short story compilations are often such a mixed bag. It can be dizzying making the adjustment from one selection to the next. Even with a master like George Saunders, I remember reading “Tenth of December” and loving one, only to lose a step when reading the next. Sometimes it is the shifting tone, sometimes a question of quality; some pieces are brilliant, some are just so-so. Here, I admit I kept expecting to write off an upcoming story as a clunker… or, at the least, one that was not going to land with me. Happily, I was wrong. I was drawn into each one right away.
These are set in Northern Ireland, and while this is not a book about The Troubles, life here is lived in its echoes. In “Grand So,” I was struck by a phrase one of the characters used, “He holds his silence like a riot shield...” This was said casually, but of course, this reflects how the conflict still permeates this world. I never had occasion to use that description while growing up in suburbia.
“Grand So” was my first favorite among these. We have a grumpy spirit, of the Catholic persuasion, still riding in the back seat of what was his car. The driver is a Protestant grandmother, oblivious to the ghost, selling homemade jam to people, regardless of what neighborhood they live in. Her granddaughter sees and communicates with the ghost, melting his heart and dissolving the lines that have divided these people for hundreds of years.
In the first offering, “A Certain Degree of Ownership,” we find a woman watching an infant crawl its way into the sea, justifying it with the belief it has nothing to do with her– that the parents did not deserve the baby or this beach. The final entry, “Family Circle,” also has an infant in danger with equally harsh characters withholding vital assistance.
Not all of these people are as despicable. “Caravan” is about a ten-year-old girl who throws herself into refurbishing an old caravan, making it all her own. What we witness is her learning some life lessons and redefining her relationship with her parents. “Tinged” has a family struggling with a mother’s cancer, their religious convictions versus the hopes that superstitions tempt them with. There are sixteen stories total, with not a bad one in the bunch,
And here is the caveat I find myself inserting into quite a few Irish literature reviews: This stuff is funny. With all the heartbreak and suffering, there is always a saving sense of humor running through. In Colin Barrett’s fantastic collection, “Homesickness,” we have story after story of hard times, but the people never lose that twinkle in their eyes, never lose their way of lightening the seriousness of it all. Last year’s “Queen of Dirt Island” by Donal Ryan centered around a woman and her mother-in-law, women under a lot of pressure who constantly bickered and fought in what would seem a miserable existence– remarkably, this turned out to be the most loving and joyous relationship.
So, “Quickly, While They Still Have Horses” delivers a variety of slices of life in Northern Ireland, showing glimpses of a land trying to define itself as more than The Troubles.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Quickly, While They Still Have Horses” is a wildly robust collection. Short story compilations are often such a mixed bag. It can be dizzying making the adjustment from one selection to the next. Even with a master like George Saunders, I remember reading “Tenth of December” and loving one, only to lose a step when reading the next. Sometimes it is the shifting tone, sometimes a question of quality; some pieces are brilliant, some are just so-so. Here, I admit I kept expecting to write off an upcoming story as a clunker… or, at the least, one that was not going to land with me. Happily, I was wrong. I was drawn into each one right away.
These are set in Northern Ireland, and while this is not a book about The Troubles, life here is lived in its echoes. In “Grand So,” I was struck by a phrase one of the characters used, “He holds his silence like a riot shield...” This was said casually, but of course, this reflects how the conflict still permeates this world. I never had occasion to use that description while growing up in suburbia.
“Grand So” was my first favorite among these. We have a grumpy spirit, of the Catholic persuasion, still riding in the back seat of what was his car. The driver is a Protestant grandmother, oblivious to the ghost, selling homemade jam to people, regardless of what neighborhood they live in. Her granddaughter sees and communicates with the ghost, melting his heart and dissolving the lines that have divided these people for hundreds of years.
In the first offering, “A Certain Degree of Ownership,” we find a woman watching an infant crawl its way into the sea, justifying it with the belief it has nothing to do with her– that the parents did not deserve the baby or this beach. The final entry, “Family Circle,” also has an infant in danger with equally harsh characters withholding vital assistance.
Not all of these people are as despicable. “Caravan” is about a ten-year-old girl who throws herself into refurbishing an old caravan, making it all her own. What we witness is her learning some life lessons and redefining her relationship with her parents. “Tinged” has a family struggling with a mother’s cancer, their religious convictions versus the hopes that superstitions tempt them with. There are sixteen stories total, with not a bad one in the bunch,
And here is the caveat I find myself inserting into quite a few Irish literature reviews: This stuff is funny. With all the heartbreak and suffering, there is always a saving sense of humor running through. In Colin Barrett’s fantastic collection, “Homesickness,” we have story after story of hard times, but the people never lose that twinkle in their eyes, never lose their way of lightening the seriousness of it all. Last year’s “Queen of Dirt Island” by Donal Ryan centered around a woman and her mother-in-law, women under a lot of pressure who constantly bickered and fought in what would seem a miserable existence– remarkably, this turned out to be the most loving and joyous relationship.
So, “Quickly, While They Still Have Horses” delivers a variety of slices of life in Northern Ireland, showing glimpses of a land trying to define itself as more than The Troubles.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2024
Each one of these stories still living in my head rent free
April 4, 2024
This is a compulsively readable collection of short stories - all set in Northern Ireland, detailing everything from grief, religion, superstitions, symbolism, family ties, among other things.
Each story was so beautifully written, and haunting in its own unique way. Some stories are incredibly realistic, whereas others reach further out towards the unreal - brushing upon ghosts, healing swimming baths, and vanishing children.
My personal favourites were Grand So, Fair Play, Jellyfish, Troubling the Water, and Family Circle. I’m, frankly, still reeling from them. Sometimes I’ll read through a short story collection and know that I’ll barely be able to recollect any of the stories a week down the line - in this case, I know that the majority of these stories have firmly lodged themselves into my memory. It is a brilliant collection of wonderfully written, emotive, short stories.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
Each story was so beautifully written, and haunting in its own unique way. Some stories are incredibly realistic, whereas others reach further out towards the unreal - brushing upon ghosts, healing swimming baths, and vanishing children.
My personal favourites were Grand So, Fair Play, Jellyfish, Troubling the Water, and Family Circle. I’m, frankly, still reeling from them. Sometimes I’ll read through a short story collection and know that I’ll barely be able to recollect any of the stories a week down the line - in this case, I know that the majority of these stories have firmly lodged themselves into my memory. It is a brilliant collection of wonderfully written, emotive, short stories.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
April 24, 2024
This was a thoroughly enjoyable short story collection. Carson has great insight into the everyday, human nature and the characteristics of relationships. She writes each of these stories with distinctive narrative voices ensuring each stays with you in its own unique way. I love her wry Irish humour and her observations of people. The stories were quirky and interesting reflecting Irish identity in all of its complexity, beauty and flaws. Would highly recommend.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
July 12, 2024
Great collection. A 4.5 I’m rounding up because almost everything here worked for me. And I’m impressed because there are both speculative/weird stories and slice of life stories. But the writing style consistently worked so well with my brain.
The only one I didn’t care for was the titular story. It may be that it went over my head, but it just made me shrug. Didn’t really feel anything.
A lot of the stories highlight misanthropes, and I’m realizing I really enjoy that POV. Especially in a short story. It’s just fun. Coasters and Fair Play are good examples of that.
Favorite stories:
A Certain Degree of Seriousness - Dark and unsettling behavior/thoughts from a woman on the beach watching parents and a toddler.
Mostly People Just Throw Bricks - Journalist investigates the backstory to a photo of a burning baby (doll?) at a riot.
In the Car with the Rain Coming Down - Ugh. Small drama of manners within a restrained family. Kind of a gut punch but ends with a loving moment.
The only one I didn’t care for was the titular story. It may be that it went over my head, but it just made me shrug. Didn’t really feel anything.
A lot of the stories highlight misanthropes, and I’m realizing I really enjoy that POV. Especially in a short story. It’s just fun. Coasters and Fair Play are good examples of that.
Favorite stories:
A Certain Degree of Seriousness - Dark and unsettling behavior/thoughts from a woman on the beach watching parents and a toddler.
Mostly People Just Throw Bricks - Journalist investigates the backstory to a photo of a burning baby (doll?) at a riot.
In the Car with the Rain Coming Down - Ugh. Small drama of manners within a restrained family. Kind of a gut punch but ends with a loving moment.
October 5, 2024
This is an eclectic collection of short stories that sits somewhere between the unsettling and the tender, weaving together moments of everyday life that have the power to devastate in quiet, profound ways. As someone whose track record with short stories is hit or miss, I approached this collection with some hesitation but Carson largely delivered.
While not every story resonated, many captured my attention with their delicate blend of the uncanny and the poignant, offering a series of small but deeply affecting devastations.
Carson's stories frequently dabble in the uncanny, a thread that runs through the collection and creates an atmosphere that feels slightly off-kilter, but never too far removed from reality. The title story, Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, along with Grand, So and A Certain Degree of Ownership, stood out as particularly affecting. These stories left a lasting impression, likely because of Carson's ability to infuse ordinary moments with deeper emotional undercurrents. These stories excel because they balance the strange with the relatable, grounding their more surreal elements in the lived realities of the characters.
However, as with most short story collections, there were a few pieces that didn’t fully grab my attention. Some stories felt less urgent or impactful, and I found myself skimming a few of them, searching for a stronger connection. The uncanny elements, while fascinating, sometimes made the narrative feel a bit distant, which in some cases weakened the emotional punch I was looking for.
That being said, what Carson does well—really well—is capture those “little devastations” that accumulate over time, a thematic thread that runs throughout the book. Her characters are often caught in moments of transition, grappling with change, regret, or loss in ways that feel both deeply personal and oddly universal. It’s this combination of the familiar and the strange that gives the collection its weight, even when some individual stories fall flat.
While not every story hit the mark for me, the ones that did made the entire collection worth it. If you're drawn to stories that play with the uncanny and explore the slow build-up of emotional turmoil in everyday life, Carson's latest work is well worth the read.
While not every story resonated, many captured my attention with their delicate blend of the uncanny and the poignant, offering a series of small but deeply affecting devastations.
Carson's stories frequently dabble in the uncanny, a thread that runs through the collection and creates an atmosphere that feels slightly off-kilter, but never too far removed from reality. The title story, Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, along with Grand, So and A Certain Degree of Ownership, stood out as particularly affecting. These stories left a lasting impression, likely because of Carson's ability to infuse ordinary moments with deeper emotional undercurrents. These stories excel because they balance the strange with the relatable, grounding their more surreal elements in the lived realities of the characters.
However, as with most short story collections, there were a few pieces that didn’t fully grab my attention. Some stories felt less urgent or impactful, and I found myself skimming a few of them, searching for a stronger connection. The uncanny elements, while fascinating, sometimes made the narrative feel a bit distant, which in some cases weakened the emotional punch I was looking for.
That being said, what Carson does well—really well—is capture those “little devastations” that accumulate over time, a thematic thread that runs throughout the book. Her characters are often caught in moments of transition, grappling with change, regret, or loss in ways that feel both deeply personal and oddly universal. It’s this combination of the familiar and the strange that gives the collection its weight, even when some individual stories fall flat.
While not every story hit the mark for me, the ones that did made the entire collection worth it. If you're drawn to stories that play with the uncanny and explore the slow build-up of emotional turmoil in everyday life, Carson's latest work is well worth the read.
April 3, 2024
Jan Carson is one of those writers who can publish anything and I’ll gleefully read it. Furthermore I’ll enjoy it. When i found out that that there was a new publication, in tis case a short story collection, I knew I had to have it.
Followers of this blog know that I don’t really review short stories on here, mainly because I tend to find them inconsistent but when one does appear here, that’s a good sign. Within the 16 stories in Quickly… there’s a ton of goodies.
One of the great things about these stories is that they are vehicles for more important matters and yet, there’s Jan Carson’s trademark surrealist touches. The title story is set in a dystopian future where most animals have died and a couple take a road trip to see the last remaining horse in Ireland ( as a note all the stories take place in Ireland) but in reality it’s a document of a relationship that’s falling apart.
Another one about relationship dynamics is Troubling the Water in where a wife wonders if gossip about a swimming pool with healing powers will help her ill husband, unfortunately it does not work out that well. This story also focuses on small town communities and their tendency to spread unproven rumours.
The story Grand So is also a road trip story focusing on a family out to get jam but evolves into an eerie allegory for The Troubles. Jellyfish may seem like a weird tale about someone finding jellyfish in their garden but in reality it’s about mental illness.
I could go on reeling different stories other highlights are Caravan, A Certain Degree of Ownership ( now THAT’s how to open a short story collection), Family Circle and Bat McElhatton Learns to Drive. All have a underlying message.
These stories are compulsively readable and have a way of seeping into one’s brain. At times strange, sometimes creepy and always with a smirk buried somewhere. Quickly … is a strong collection and another addition to Jan Carson’s colourful (and slightly frightening) world.
Followers of this blog know that I don’t really review short stories on here, mainly because I tend to find them inconsistent but when one does appear here, that’s a good sign. Within the 16 stories in Quickly… there’s a ton of goodies.
One of the great things about these stories is that they are vehicles for more important matters and yet, there’s Jan Carson’s trademark surrealist touches. The title story is set in a dystopian future where most animals have died and a couple take a road trip to see the last remaining horse in Ireland ( as a note all the stories take place in Ireland) but in reality it’s a document of a relationship that’s falling apart.
Another one about relationship dynamics is Troubling the Water in where a wife wonders if gossip about a swimming pool with healing powers will help her ill husband, unfortunately it does not work out that well. This story also focuses on small town communities and their tendency to spread unproven rumours.
The story Grand So is also a road trip story focusing on a family out to get jam but evolves into an eerie allegory for The Troubles. Jellyfish may seem like a weird tale about someone finding jellyfish in their garden but in reality it’s about mental illness.
I could go on reeling different stories other highlights are Caravan, A Certain Degree of Ownership ( now THAT’s how to open a short story collection), Family Circle and Bat McElhatton Learns to Drive. All have a underlying message.
These stories are compulsively readable and have a way of seeping into one’s brain. At times strange, sometimes creepy and always with a smirk buried somewhere. Quickly … is a strong collection and another addition to Jan Carson’s colourful (and slightly frightening) world.
March 5, 2025
It’s been a while since I last enjoyed a short story collection this much. The voices were clear and each story was satisfying. Sometimes authors choose to be ambiguous with endings, and while I can appreciate that, I find myself enjoying these types more. Carson’s writing has a lot of range and I quickly became invested in the lives of each of the characters.
My favorites were: A Certain Degree of Ownership, Pillars, Mostly People Throw Bricks, Bat McElhatton Learns to Drive, Caravan, Troubling Water, In the Car with the Rain Coming Down, and Family Circle. (And the ones I didn’t list are still good!)
This collection will join the ranks among my favorites of all time, including Bliss Montage, Salt Slow, Unaccustomed Earth, and Creature.
My favorites were: A Certain Degree of Ownership, Pillars, Mostly People Throw Bricks, Bat McElhatton Learns to Drive, Caravan, Troubling Water, In the Car with the Rain Coming Down, and Family Circle. (And the ones I didn’t list are still good!)
This collection will join the ranks among my favorites of all time, including Bliss Montage, Salt Slow, Unaccustomed Earth, and Creature.
July 15, 2024
I received a copy of this book through Scribner's Goodreads giveaway.
The short stories told in this book are entertaining in their own unique way. As I flip back through the title of each story upon completing it, I applaud Jan Carson's ability to have stories that are profoundly different from one another but still convey her excellent voice. The description of the book made it seem that the stories would focus on the Northern Irish experience. Though this was true in many of the stories, there were a handful that I felt spoke to the general human experience - "Donald decides to hold his silence. He has to be in the right mood for Kenneth, and he's not in that mood today." That, however, is no criticism. I enjoyed her Northern Irish voice in conjunction with the relatability of many of the stories.
These stories were sad, quirky, funny, and horrific- I couldn't tell you which was my favorite, but I can definitely recommend reading this collection. I will be checking out her other books soon!
The short stories told in this book are entertaining in their own unique way. As I flip back through the title of each story upon completing it, I applaud Jan Carson's ability to have stories that are profoundly different from one another but still convey her excellent voice. The description of the book made it seem that the stories would focus on the Northern Irish experience. Though this was true in many of the stories, there were a handful that I felt spoke to the general human experience - "Donald decides to hold his silence. He has to be in the right mood for Kenneth, and he's not in that mood today." That, however, is no criticism. I enjoyed her Northern Irish voice in conjunction with the relatability of many of the stories.
These stories were sad, quirky, funny, and horrific- I couldn't tell you which was my favorite, but I can definitely recommend reading this collection. I will be checking out her other books soon!
April 1, 2025
3.5. Really enjoy Jan Carson’s writing. I love the idea of a subscription based pillar that helps with depression. I also love the range of softness and hardness of the various characters. Such enjoyable writing.
April 13, 2024
Quickly, While They Still Have Horses is a collection of short stories by Jan Carson. This is the first book by this author that I have read. It's a departure from the police procedurals I usually read.
It contains an interesting collection of stories. All are set in Northern Ireland and all touch on the troubles.
From a second-hand car that comes with its previous owner, to a severed hand in a fridge, each story has a quirky theme.
A quick and easy read.
It contains an interesting collection of stories. All are set in Northern Ireland and all touch on the troubles.
From a second-hand car that comes with its previous owner, to a severed hand in a fridge, each story has a quirky theme.
A quick and easy read.
September 1, 2025
Per toeval dit boek in handen gekregen, maar wat heb ik me geamuseerd met die (Noord)Ierse personages. De ‘wee’s’ en de ’grands’ vliegen in het rond, kwallen in de tuin, volkse karakters, elk verhaal is puur plezier en origineel. Jan Carsons boeken, ik wil ze allemaal lezen.
April 21, 2025
it's funny cuz it's local?
really enjoyed this - couple stories in here I won't be forgetting anytime soon!
really enjoyed this - couple stories in here I won't be forgetting anytime soon!
September 24, 2025
A surprising collection of stories and a whole new appreciation from me for Jan Carson who I've only experienced through her interviews with other authors. Most of the stories begin with the reader anchored firmly on familiar territory and then she inserts something strange, unworldly and unsettling. Authentic voices, all told in different styles, reading the collection is an enjoyable page turning experience and has prompted me to read more from her.
April 14, 2025
I was still thinking about ‘Grand So’ long after I'd finished. It's a real standout in this excellent collection. Likewise ‘Victor Soda’, which I read with bated breath. ‘Quickly, While They Still Have Horses’ is my first foray into the work of Jan Carson - although I'd heard great things. All true, I must say! I thought this was a brilliant, eclectic bundle of high quality fiction. Thoroughly enjoyable read and one I would highly recommend.
August 10, 2024
I should remind myself not to read a collection of short stories all at once. It’s too jarring and the stories don’t settle in your mind, you are straight on to the next one. There were some gems in the book, the characters are spot on, but the last story absolutely floored me, it was so cruel, and it colours my opinion of the rest of the stories- which it shouldn’t.
February 3, 2024
A collection of short stories from the fertile mind of Jan Carson, this is a fascinating and at times haunting collection. With fabulous use of language from colloquial, turns of phrase to flights of magic realism, these stories cover a myriad of different subjects. Some of the down to earth stories are the most haunting, the father in Caravan is a familiar Northern Irish figure, clumsily using teasing humour to connect and 'teach'. Jellyfish is another story that stays long after reading. This collection is to be read slowly, individually and maybe not at night, else you'll have nightmares about soft play ballpits.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2024
I could literally relate to every one of these short stories in some shape or form. Great observation and skillful writing. 'Grand So' was a particular highlight.
November 17, 2024
"Pillars" made me bawl like a baby
July 9, 2024
This is my first collection from this author, but hopefully not my last. Carson’s stories are incredibly dark, but at many times relatable - even for someone living an ocean away.
I appreciated the raw honesty in this collection, and coming from the perspective of a Northern Irelander, I expected to see a lot more bias regarding the national conflict, but Carson presented both sides. I didn’t know a lot about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and found myself researching alongside these stories which was pretty unique for me.
I also loved how trippy some of these stories were. There was a wide range of subject matter in this collection, including horses, ghosts, and generational trauma. My two favorite stories were “Jellyfish” and “A Certain Degree Of Ownership.”
Check this collection out if you enjoy short stories, brutal honesty, and whimsy!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the eARC of this title!**
Quotes:
“We rarely talked. Instead, we watch each other watching each other as we tiptoe round our loneliness.”
“We may well be holding on by the skin of our teeth, but neither of us has any notion of letting go.
I appreciated the raw honesty in this collection, and coming from the perspective of a Northern Irelander, I expected to see a lot more bias regarding the national conflict, but Carson presented both sides. I didn’t know a lot about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and found myself researching alongside these stories which was pretty unique for me.
I also loved how trippy some of these stories were. There was a wide range of subject matter in this collection, including horses, ghosts, and generational trauma. My two favorite stories were “Jellyfish” and “A Certain Degree Of Ownership.”
Check this collection out if you enjoy short stories, brutal honesty, and whimsy!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the eARC of this title!**
Quotes:
“We rarely talked. Instead, we watch each other watching each other as we tiptoe round our loneliness.”
“We may well be holding on by the skin of our teeth, but neither of us has any notion of letting go.
April 12, 2025
This was a collection of 16 short stories set in Northern Ireland, mostly modern day from The Troubles onwards. I enjoyed some stories more than others - I suppose my problem with short fiction is that I expect more of a resolution to the tales than there was in some of these, which contributed to my disappointment. The writing however was excellent - all that I have come to expect of the best of Irish fiction, which I have developed quite a penchant for over recent years - great descriptions and precise and accurate observations of day-to-day life seen through the various characters in the stories. I particularly enjoyed the stories that were narrated by children, with their typically naive view of the world, yet they were still hard-hitting and evocative. Looking forward to reading some novels by this author that I already have on TBR - 7/10.
August 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This short story collection was equal parts dark, surreal, and real. As someone who lives an ocean away from Northern Ireland and isn't well-versed in any kind of Irish literature, I think a lot of the finer points (and even some of the non-finer points) of these stories went over my head, nevertheless, I found a quiet beauty in many of them.
My favorite by far is "Pillar." I think it was a wonderful look at mental illness and what it would look like if struggles with mental illness and the desire to get help were very visible.
I am very intrigued to explore Jan Carson's full length novels!
Publication Date: July 9, 2024
This short story collection was equal parts dark, surreal, and real. As someone who lives an ocean away from Northern Ireland and isn't well-versed in any kind of Irish literature, I think a lot of the finer points (and even some of the non-finer points) of these stories went over my head, nevertheless, I found a quiet beauty in many of them.
My favorite by far is "Pillar." I think it was a wonderful look at mental illness and what it would look like if struggles with mental illness and the desire to get help were very visible.
I am very intrigued to explore Jan Carson's full length novels!
Publication Date: July 9, 2024
December 7, 2024
My favourites: the creepy “Victor Soda” - argh! I don’t want to give too much away; and “One Hander” for its political commentary via magic realism.
August 8, 2025
I don't often read short stories, but these were brilliant! Quirky, relatable, moving, surprising.
March 22, 2025
unfortunately i only care for short stories for freaks, and too many of these were normal
September 20, 2024
Weird, wonderful, grim and funny - an excellent collection.
August 3, 2024
Well written, but I’m probably just not Irish enough to get it?
August 28, 2024
4.25/5 finished copy gifted by the publisher
following individuals in post-conflict Northern Ireland, HORSES is a unique collection that fuses the somber with humor, absurd with tender to explore the lives lost and saved during a tumultuous period. I admire Carson’s craft in exploring seemingly ordinary experiences in the backdrop of extraordinary times. While not every story is memorable, I loved following the unique journeys of each character as they traversed the ever-changing landscape—from realistic interactions to ghostly encounters
following individuals in post-conflict Northern Ireland, HORSES is a unique collection that fuses the somber with humor, absurd with tender to explore the lives lost and saved during a tumultuous period. I admire Carson’s craft in exploring seemingly ordinary experiences in the backdrop of extraordinary times. While not every story is memorable, I loved following the unique journeys of each character as they traversed the ever-changing landscape—from realistic interactions to ghostly encounters
August 12, 2024
Imagine if Derry Girls were set in present-day Northern Ireland and co-written by Carmen Maria Machado, George Saunders, and the ghost of Flannery O’Connor—that’s wait awaits you in Quickly, While They Still Have Horses by award-winning Irish writer Jan Carson. These stories offer a magnificent blend of surrealism with everyday horrors and disappointments that never fails to entertain while illuminating the social and political complexities of her setting. Upon my first read of the collection, Jan’s macabre, fantastical twists filled me with a mix of shock and delight, then horror at how delighted I was. But there is a quiet, earnest empathy racing through the heart of these stories, too, and I return to them often.
November 10, 2024
I was not mad about this. But then again, I am not mad about short stories because of the need to quickly, and frequently, change gear, as you move through the stories. This collection swings from enchanting to horrific and some embrace magic realism. I enjoyed the swimming pool story, the family picnic story and the story where a journalist goes to Belfast to interview teenagers involved in riots and gets his comeuppance. The stories are like little snapshots of the lives of everyday characters sprinkled with varyingly discreet references to ‘the troubles.
This is a good well written book but it did not really excite me.
This is a good well written book but it did not really excite me.
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