What do you think?
Rate this book
Stepping Out
These stories observe how people live through moments of realisation; how they negotiate the avenues of loss, with cowardice and courage and a fair amount of bewilderment. While fishing on a sunny loch, a woman is suddenly convinced and terrified that her lover is about to leave her. Parents in San Francisco learn that their son has been in a car accident, and may be dying. A girl loses her virginity the same day as the funeral of her much despised mother, and later understands which is the greater loss. Humour threads through these dark moments and days. Even death - especially death - is not exempt. And love is perfectly heaving with embarrassing poignancy. These are warm stories about real people. Loss changes them, but change makes them feel alive.
- GenresShort Stories
260 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
3 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rogerson
21 books10 followersAuthor also writes as Addison Jones
Cynthia Rogerson is a novelist, short story writer and poet. She is also a director at Moniack Mhor, the Arvon creative writing centre. She lives near Evanton in Easter Ross, Scotland.
Cynthia Rogerson is a novelist, short story writer and poet. She is also a director at Moniack Mhor, the Arvon creative writing centre. She lives near Evanton in Easter Ross, Scotland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 27, 2015
A well-written collection of character studies. Stepping Out didn't wow me, but it will no doubt make fans out of those who like character-driven, believable stories. It started very strongly with the story A Dangerous Place, a very real tale about a family of Scottish expats in California and how they react to learning their youngest son has been in a car accident, but the majority of the other stories lacked that punch. Rogerson's stories are mostly about life's little moments, but for me they became rather repetitive and dull, with the characters being the same types of people; usually a Scottish family, usually older people etc.
My favourites in this collection are A Dangerous Place, Homesick, In Abeyance and Bus Stop.
My favourites in this collection are A Dangerous Place, Homesick, In Abeyance and Bus Stop.
October 29, 2012
"Stepping Out is the first collection of short stories from novelist Cynthia Rogerson, a native Californian who has lived in the Scottish Highlands for the past thirty years.
The book is composed of thirty-three stories divided into seven sections, with the stories in each section linked either thematically, or by the recurring characters they feature." (Excerpt from full review at For Books' Sake.)
The book is composed of thirty-three stories divided into seven sections, with the stories in each section linked either thematically, or by the recurring characters they feature." (Excerpt from full review at For Books' Sake.)
January 6, 2013
4 stars based on the quality of the writing. I always feel frustrated with short stories - 5-10 pages just isn't enough for me to enjoy a tale. I want depth, plot, development! Still, this is a limitation of the genre, and I was sent this book to review for NewBooks and DID honestly enjoy the stories, especially those where several were connected to one family. I found the writing very honest and sometimes could see my own voice and thoughts coming out in the characters.
It's still not a genre I like much but I'm glad I read this collection.
It's still not a genre I like much but I'm glad I read this collection.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews