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A Short Way From Home
Short Stories
What to do About Clara? The certainty of old love, or the uncertainty of new? Frankie has two women in his life and he needs to make a choice.
Over The Moon. It’s Pattie’s birthday, but will all her wishes come true? Events are planned, but Pattie simply longs to escape, preferably to the man next door!
Two Hearts One Soul. Celtic fantasy, inspired by the many Druid circles and standing stones scattered across the Welsh hillsides. The bond of a twin can never be broken, not even by death. Belief is a powerful, invisible tool.
A Piece of Cake . Alpha male thinks he’s in control, but the day brings some surprising revelations! Lead sixteen ramblers along an easy section of the coastal path. It should have been easy, but saving his life at the same time, made for a more challenging route.
Genesis. Adam is flawed, obsessed by Eve and his search for the unattainable. Can new love and a new beginning re-write his future or will he succumb yet again to the lure of forbidden fruit?
A Short Way From Home. Age is just a number, until it catches up with you.
Christmas Present. Flash Fiction. Christmas spirit; is it a present, or a presence? Some poignant thoughts about family and the pride of those elderly and alone.
What to do About Clara? The certainty of old love, or the uncertainty of new? Frankie has two women in his life and he needs to make a choice.
Over The Moon. It’s Pattie’s birthday, but will all her wishes come true? Events are planned, but Pattie simply longs to escape, preferably to the man next door!
Two Hearts One Soul. Celtic fantasy, inspired by the many Druid circles and standing stones scattered across the Welsh hillsides. The bond of a twin can never be broken, not even by death. Belief is a powerful, invisible tool.
A Piece of Cake . Alpha male thinks he’s in control, but the day brings some surprising revelations! Lead sixteen ramblers along an easy section of the coastal path. It should have been easy, but saving his life at the same time, made for a more challenging route.
Genesis. Adam is flawed, obsessed by Eve and his search for the unattainable. Can new love and a new beginning re-write his future or will he succumb yet again to the lure of forbidden fruit?
A Short Way From Home. Age is just a number, until it catches up with you.
Christmas Present. Flash Fiction. Christmas spirit; is it a present, or a presence? Some poignant thoughts about family and the pride of those elderly and alone.
- GenresRomance
Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Jan Ruth
19 books126 followersJan Ruth lives in Snowdonia, a mountainous area of North Wales, UK. Jan writes contemporary fiction about the darker side of the family dynamic, often blending life in rural Wales with a touch of city business. Her style is best described as fast-paced and realistic, with a sprinkling of dry humour.
The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.
Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of editor Anne Dewe, Andrew Mann Literary Agency, London. Dewe’s own company, Love Stories Ltd, was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Summer in October was contracted immediately but sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing and the company dissolved.
Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane C Judd Literary Agency, London. Despite Judd’s enthusiasm, the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher – one brave enough to expand on those established, traditional genre stereotypes. And then Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing and Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction under her own imprint, Celtic Connections. After a brief partnership with Accent Press in 2015, Jan chose to return to the freedom of independent publishing.
Wild Water won the Cornerstones competition for the most popular self-published book in 2011, and Midnight Sky won the Romantic Review Magazine Award (2013). Silver Rain (2015) and Wild Water (2016) were both finalists in the Wishing Shelf Awards.
Jan’s books are available globally via Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks.
The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.
Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of editor Anne Dewe, Andrew Mann Literary Agency, London. Dewe’s own company, Love Stories Ltd, was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Summer in October was contracted immediately but sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing and the company dissolved.
Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane C Judd Literary Agency, London. Despite Judd’s enthusiasm, the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher – one brave enough to expand on those established, traditional genre stereotypes. And then Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing and Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction under her own imprint, Celtic Connections. After a brief partnership with Accent Press in 2015, Jan chose to return to the freedom of independent publishing.
Wild Water won the Cornerstones competition for the most popular self-published book in 2011, and Midnight Sky won the Romantic Review Magazine Award (2013). Silver Rain (2015) and Wild Water (2016) were both finalists in the Wishing Shelf Awards.
Jan’s books are available globally via Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 28, 2013
This was a step away from my usual choice of reading, but I enjoyed the journey very much. Both the shorts and the novel extracts are engaging and fluently written and carry the reader along with ease - bleak one moment, hilarious the next. It's a rich, colourful mix, too, with lots of highlights to savour, from the revelation about Helga to the delightful chaos of a nightmare wedding. If I had to pick a favourite, it would probably be 'A Piece of Cake', though only by a short head. Excellent pace, appealing characters, and romantic Welsh settings to boot - what's not to like?
September 9, 2013
As a forty-something male reader of thrillers, I'm not the obvious target audience for a book that fits into the broad category of 'romance'. But I found myself taken, indeed captivated, by this little collection of five short stories and three first-chapter excerpts from Ms Ruth's novels.
'Quirky' and 'evocative' seem odd words to find together in a description of a story, but that's this author's great achievement: she succeeds in portraying utterly believable and familiar human relationships against a background of rich, earthy geographical location. We can see the mist-wreathed North Welsh hills, smell the soil and the rain.
The opening story, What To Do About Clara?, is a sad and funny tale of marital faithlessness crowned with an ending as completely right as it's unexpected. Middle age comes up against youth in Over The Moon, while Celtic mysticism saturates the tragic Two Hearts, One Soul. The collection's high point, A Piece Of Cake, introduces physical danger and bawdy, almost Tom Sharpesque farce to a very British account of a man's midlife crisis. Christmas Present, the punningly titled final story, is the shortest, yet packs an astonishing range of emotion into its two pages.
The excerpts are all fine introductions to Ms Ruth's three novels, confirming what the short stories have suggested: that hers is a major talent, and one well worth investing time in. Whatever your age or usual reading habits.
'Quirky' and 'evocative' seem odd words to find together in a description of a story, but that's this author's great achievement: she succeeds in portraying utterly believable and familiar human relationships against a background of rich, earthy geographical location. We can see the mist-wreathed North Welsh hills, smell the soil and the rain.
The opening story, What To Do About Clara?, is a sad and funny tale of marital faithlessness crowned with an ending as completely right as it's unexpected. Middle age comes up against youth in Over The Moon, while Celtic mysticism saturates the tragic Two Hearts, One Soul. The collection's high point, A Piece Of Cake, introduces physical danger and bawdy, almost Tom Sharpesque farce to a very British account of a man's midlife crisis. Christmas Present, the punningly titled final story, is the shortest, yet packs an astonishing range of emotion into its two pages.
The excerpts are all fine introductions to Ms Ruth's three novels, confirming what the short stories have suggested: that hers is a major talent, and one well worth investing time in. Whatever your age or usual reading habits.
December 29, 2012
I'm generally not a great fan of short stories but I am a great fan of Jan Ruth's longer novels and was therefore very pleased when I saw she had brought out this anthology. The collection contains five stories based around people who have reached a certain crossroads in their lives. People who need to find space to reacquaint themselves with their inner person and make the right decision about the future. And as usual, the physical space is provided in the shape of the wild and wonderful Welsh landscape. In Jan Ruth's stories this landscape becomes almost a character in its own right.
Against this dramatic backdrop we meet Frankie, torn between the decision to forge a new life with Clara or pick up the pieces of his shattered life with Ella; the selfless Pattie, whose birthday candles illuminate more than just the cake and Tom in my favourite story, 'A Piece of Cake', who takes responsibility for sixteen rambler-pensioners who lead him to a turning point in his life. There is also the rather haunting story of Mari, half a twin coping with tragedy in a mysterious way and the final (almost a flash-fiction piece) involving Sylvia an abandoned wife who almost manages to convince herself that solitude is a desirable state.
All Jan Ruth's characters live and breathe in their realistic complexity, but I always find her male characters more interesting and better developed than her female ones. I found myself wanting to know much more about Frankie and Tom than the rest in this collection and wishing those stories were longer.
For an introduction to a writer's work, this short collection is ideal and it also includes the opening chapters of her longer novels, all of which are highly recommended by this particular reader and one of which (Wild Water) remains firmly in my top ten of best reads of 2012 - and possibly ever!
Against this dramatic backdrop we meet Frankie, torn between the decision to forge a new life with Clara or pick up the pieces of his shattered life with Ella; the selfless Pattie, whose birthday candles illuminate more than just the cake and Tom in my favourite story, 'A Piece of Cake', who takes responsibility for sixteen rambler-pensioners who lead him to a turning point in his life. There is also the rather haunting story of Mari, half a twin coping with tragedy in a mysterious way and the final (almost a flash-fiction piece) involving Sylvia an abandoned wife who almost manages to convince herself that solitude is a desirable state.
All Jan Ruth's characters live and breathe in their realistic complexity, but I always find her male characters more interesting and better developed than her female ones. I found myself wanting to know much more about Frankie and Tom than the rest in this collection and wishing those stories were longer.
For an introduction to a writer's work, this short collection is ideal and it also includes the opening chapters of her longer novels, all of which are highly recommended by this particular reader and one of which (Wild Water) remains firmly in my top ten of best reads of 2012 - and possibly ever!
December 12, 2012
These are five festive related short stories, four Christmas themed, one the Pagan religion of Yule themed.
Best of all they are all FREE, and I got it from Smashwords. These are ideal for coffee or lunch breaks and so typical of Jan Ruth's ability to use relationships, people's decisions and consequences, the season, and in the setting of beautiful Snowdonia in North Wales to tell such good, though brief stories. Two Hearts, One Soul is beautiful, sad, lovely and I'm still filling up with tears, as it tugged at my heartstrings! The shortest, Christmas Present, shows the season can be painful at times for some people too. Piece of Cake, had me laugh aloud not least as I know the area from Red Wharf Bay to Llandonna on Angelsey where it is set.
Having just read Midnight Sky, one of Jan's main novels about horses and people, I noted the bonus read introductory chapter included this as well as those for her other novels.
This is well written using UK spellings and grammatical conventions, and a good 4.5+ stars from me. Hence rounded to 5.
Best of all they are all FREE, and I got it from Smashwords. These are ideal for coffee or lunch breaks and so typical of Jan Ruth's ability to use relationships, people's decisions and consequences, the season, and in the setting of beautiful Snowdonia in North Wales to tell such good, though brief stories. Two Hearts, One Soul is beautiful, sad, lovely and I'm still filling up with tears, as it tugged at my heartstrings! The shortest, Christmas Present, shows the season can be painful at times for some people too. Piece of Cake, had me laugh aloud not least as I know the area from Red Wharf Bay to Llandonna on Angelsey where it is set.
Having just read Midnight Sky, one of Jan's main novels about horses and people, I noted the bonus read introductory chapter included this as well as those for her other novels.
This is well written using UK spellings and grammatical conventions, and a good 4.5+ stars from me. Hence rounded to 5.
February 5, 2013
Great characters slipped into ordinary situations, with an immediate tension palpable from the first paragraphs. Storytelling at its most compulsive, and I felt connections with all the characters on an emotional level - Jan Ruth makes them believable, whether it's Clara and Frank hitting a crossroads in their new relationship, with his wife Ella hovering in the ether, or Teddy Roberts stripped to the waist catching the eye of Pattie over the hedge.
The motivations and desires of these characters are captured in close-up, with the reader sucked into the inner workings of their minds where all their frailties are revealed.
And there is a mischievous quality - the stories make you smile, but also provoke thought around how people exist in their everyday lives mostly in bubbles of longing for the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Recommended.
The motivations and desires of these characters are captured in close-up, with the reader sucked into the inner workings of their minds where all their frailties are revealed.
And there is a mischievous quality - the stories make you smile, but also provoke thought around how people exist in their everyday lives mostly in bubbles of longing for the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Recommended.
July 12, 2013
I enjoy short stories as well as novels so Ms Ruth's book is delightful on both counts as she indulges us with five short stories and the first chapters of three of her novels. I have to confess, I devoured the 'shorts' and was so taken with the first chapter of 'Wild Water' that I had to buy it before reading anymore!
All the stories are beautifully written. Each character is brought to life by their words and actions against the back drop of the Welsh countryside and every story will keep you guessing to the end.
Ms Ruth's style is so easy, a joy to read and I'm looking forward to reading more.
All the stories are beautifully written. Each character is brought to life by their words and actions against the back drop of the Welsh countryside and every story will keep you guessing to the end.
Ms Ruth's style is so easy, a joy to read and I'm looking forward to reading more.
January 12, 2013
Want a great read? Look no further. Jan Ruth has the skill to dig deep where characterisation is concerned and the result is good, enjoyable telling of stories that will stop and make you think. Intelligent writing at a very high standard, and the editing ain't bad either.
February 18, 2015
This is a collection of contemporary stories from Jan Ruth. There are five short stories and three first chapters from some of Jan's full length novels.
What to do about Clara is set in Wales around Christmas, Frankie brings his girlfriend back to his childhood home hoping to capture some of the magic of his youth. He's battling with the betrayal of his wife, a pending divorce and confusion for his future.
Over The Moon introduces us to Pattie, whose birthday celebrations fill her with a cold chill as those around her rush to make the perfect party.
Two Hearts, One Soul is the tale of twins, separated by a tragedy and how Mari has coped until she feels ready to move on.
A Piece of Cake sees Tom escaping from a struggling marriage, a boring job and a guilty conscience as he leads a group of walkers on a ramble.
Christmas Present is a short piece about Sylvia, left alone by her husband, her children decide to invite themselves for Christmas.
Part two gives the reader the first chapter of the following full length novels.
Wild Water is about Jack Redmond who struggles to hold together his family, his estate agent business and his desires for an old school friend.
Midnight Sky mixes characters from a rugged Welsh countryside, a busy horse yard and an interior design company.
White Horizon introduces us to Daniel and Tina and their roller-coaster relationship in a tale where Dan finds there are some people you can't live with but there are others you can't live without.
What to do about Clara is set in Wales around Christmas, Frankie brings his girlfriend back to his childhood home hoping to capture some of the magic of his youth. He's battling with the betrayal of his wife, a pending divorce and confusion for his future.
Over The Moon introduces us to Pattie, whose birthday celebrations fill her with a cold chill as those around her rush to make the perfect party.
Two Hearts, One Soul is the tale of twins, separated by a tragedy and how Mari has coped until she feels ready to move on.
A Piece of Cake sees Tom escaping from a struggling marriage, a boring job and a guilty conscience as he leads a group of walkers on a ramble.
Christmas Present is a short piece about Sylvia, left alone by her husband, her children decide to invite themselves for Christmas.
Part two gives the reader the first chapter of the following full length novels.
Wild Water is about Jack Redmond who struggles to hold together his family, his estate agent business and his desires for an old school friend.
Midnight Sky mixes characters from a rugged Welsh countryside, a busy horse yard and an interior design company.
White Horizon introduces us to Daniel and Tina and their roller-coaster relationship in a tale where Dan finds there are some people you can't live with but there are others you can't live without.
July 7, 2013
This books serves as an introduction to Jan Ruth’s work with a selection of short stories and the first chapters of three novels to entice you to read more. It’s a good idea and works well.
The shorts are what I’d call life-slices, like eavesdropping, a fly on the wall of somebody’s life. We see the indecisions, the moments of clarity, the realities of everyday life and yet there’s a turning point in each, where our main characters – Frankie, Pattie, Mari, Tom or Sylvia – each make life-changing decisions that may or may not be for the best. And like real life – we never know. How would your life have turned out if you’d turned left instead of right, married one person instead of another? Clever, satisfying stories that make you think.
And the longs? Well that would be spoilers. Go read them and find out!
The shorts are what I’d call life-slices, like eavesdropping, a fly on the wall of somebody’s life. We see the indecisions, the moments of clarity, the realities of everyday life and yet there’s a turning point in each, where our main characters – Frankie, Pattie, Mari, Tom or Sylvia – each make life-changing decisions that may or may not be for the best. And like real life – we never know. How would your life have turned out if you’d turned left instead of right, married one person instead of another? Clever, satisfying stories that make you think.
And the longs? Well that would be spoilers. Go read them and find out!
August 2, 2013
I can recommend this anthology as superb value for money! All the stories are well-written and meet all the criteria for a good short story, but 'A Piece of Cake' is absolutely brilliant - one of the best I've read this year. I wonder if this has been submitted for any competitions? It should have been.
Jan's writing is great yet doesn't fit neatly into standard genres. It's well-crafted contemporary fiction, romantic but not slushy, certainly not chick-lit but not quite literary! We are well aware of this problem of finding our audience and gaining wider recognition, and Jan is certainly deserving of such.
The book also contains the first chapter of several of her novels. 'Tasters' for what is to come, and they did the trick of tempting me to buy one. I am reserving 'Midnight Sky' for my next day off! (Jones)
Jan's writing is great yet doesn't fit neatly into standard genres. It's well-crafted contemporary fiction, romantic but not slushy, certainly not chick-lit but not quite literary! We are well aware of this problem of finding our audience and gaining wider recognition, and Jan is certainly deserving of such.
The book also contains the first chapter of several of her novels. 'Tasters' for what is to come, and they did the trick of tempting me to buy one. I am reserving 'Midnight Sky' for my next day off! (Jones)
January 8, 2013
Really enjoyed Jan Ruth's three novels so was glad she had something new out. Wasn't sure whether I would like short stories because I always enjoy her gradual character and chemistry development in her novels and was sure I would be left wanting more at the end of each story. I don't tend to read short stories usually either.
The stories vary in length but all are just right, enough depth to the characters and enough detail but not so much that we are left with loose ends etc at the end of the stories. I was quite impressed because I'm sure it must be quite a different style of writing, but she has done it as well as she writes the novels. I really enjoyed it, something to dip in and out of for a change.
The stories vary in length but all are just right, enough depth to the characters and enough detail but not so much that we are left with loose ends etc at the end of the stories. I was quite impressed because I'm sure it must be quite a different style of writing, but she has done it as well as she writes the novels. I really enjoyed it, something to dip in and out of for a change.
January 14, 2013
Five short stories, all very different and original, all beautifully crafted. I am so pleased to see that fine examples of a shorter form of quality writing are available - sometimes, they just hit the spot. The setting is generally rural, with the emotional drama played out against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape. Add a little of the supernatural, and some affinity with horses, and it makes for an engaging and agreeable read.
The five stories are followed by tasters for three full length novels. I'm not sure if I would ever have consciously sought out a story of lost love and discontent starring a Cheshire estate agent, but if any taster might convince me to try it, this is the one (Wild Water). Accomplished writing, that draws the reader into its world.
The five stories are followed by tasters for three full length novels. I'm not sure if I would ever have consciously sought out a story of lost love and discontent starring a Cheshire estate agent, but if any taster might convince me to try it, this is the one (Wild Water). Accomplished writing, that draws the reader into its world.
March 29, 2013
Jan has taken 5 instances of human emotion and thrown some Celtic magic over them. Each of the short stories takes the reader to a different emotional space, ones that you recognise even if you have not experienced them, and pulls you in. The stories may be short but they are fully formed, Jan Ruth has not skimped on detail and you are fulfilled at the end.
My favourites were Over the Moon and Two Hearts, One Soul which, though touching different emotional triggers, left me with a sense of satisfaction in each case.
The bonus of this book is the three chapters, one from each of Jan Ruth's full length works, that tempt you to savour them.
My favourites were Over the Moon and Two Hearts, One Soul which, though touching different emotional triggers, left me with a sense of satisfaction in each case.
The bonus of this book is the three chapters, one from each of Jan Ruth's full length works, that tempt you to savour them.
January 16, 2013
I'm generally not a fan of short stories, but I have enjoyed Jan Ruth's full-length novels so much I decided I would have to try her shorts (as it were).
Five short stories, all completely different in tone and length, but all have a gently diffused Celtic atmosphere that adds to the mood of each story. My favourites are 'Over the Moon' and 'What to do about Clara, but all five stories are beautifully paced and very well written.
The opening chapters of Jan Ruth's three novels are each a delicious taster, enticing the reader to sit down and enjoy the full banquet. The shorts are excellent and the novels each a treat in themselves.
Five short stories, all completely different in tone and length, but all have a gently diffused Celtic atmosphere that adds to the mood of each story. My favourites are 'Over the Moon' and 'What to do about Clara, but all five stories are beautifully paced and very well written.
The opening chapters of Jan Ruth's three novels are each a delicious taster, enticing the reader to sit down and enjoy the full banquet. The shorts are excellent and the novels each a treat in themselves.
February 23, 2016
The short stories in this collection feature the crises that can so easily come to us at different stages in our lives. Some of the characters are endearing, some annoying and all have flaws just like us. My favourite was What to do about Clara and I do so want to know more about her, especially what she will do next. Pattie and Teddy in Over the Moon follow their dreams for the first time in their lives while A Short Way from Home is such a bittersweet tale. I really enjoyed all the stories, but I still prefer Jan Ruth's novels since they give you so much involvement in the feelings and emotions of the main characters.
July 19, 2013
I love all Jan Ruth's books. They are a satisfying read. All very romantic but without the slush. They concern real people whom she often puts under real stresses we can all identify with. In this book you get a taster of them all and I defy you not to want to read on. The shorts are also great. I think Christmas Present, the shortest story of them all, is a masterpiece. Show not tell, less is more - a masterclass in both disciplines. Highly recommended for dipping your toe in the creative pool of this author before plunging in for a deep water swim in her novels.
January 3, 2013
This is an e-book containing five short stories of varying length. I enjoyed all the stories but the one called A Piece of Cake was my favourite. At the end of the book is the first chapter of Wild Water, Midnight Sky and White Horizon.
I'd recommend this e-book as it'll give you a taster of the quality of writing by the Author and the first chapters of the three books at the end will give you an idea of the content and subject matter of the books.
I'd recommend this e-book as it'll give you a taster of the quality of writing by the Author and the first chapters of the three books at the end will give you an idea of the content and subject matter of the books.
June 16, 2013
"The Long and Short of it" by Jan Ruth really serves as a showcase for the author, which admittedly in parts was a little frustrating since you are left with a teaser rather than a complete work.
The selection of short stories and first chapters however shows a skilled writer with a great reflective mind and wonderful powers of observation on human nature. Deep and thoughtful at times, entertaining and magic at others.
The selection of short stories and first chapters however shows a skilled writer with a great reflective mind and wonderful powers of observation on human nature. Deep and thoughtful at times, entertaining and magic at others.
January 31, 2014
This really isn't my genre. To my great surprise, I really enjoyed these short stories and first chapters of novels. Jan Ruth writes very well-observed stories about recognisable characters. As a writer, she knows how to turn up the heat on her protagonists in a believable way. There often seems to be a wonderfully sordid undercurrent of sex and infidelity, which is played very well. I shall be recommending these to people I know are into this genre. Lovely work.
February 23, 2014
This was free when I downloaded it and was very glad I did. The short stories are all wonderfully real and great page turners. The sample chapters of the other books are good too and I'll definitely be downloading them soon. Looking forward to re-acquainting myself with the characters and situations. Jan Ruth is an excellent descriptive writer and understands human nature very well. Transferring this onto the page is not always easy so well done to her for her skill.
March 12, 2014
I read these a while back - all in one afternoon!
They're ideal for the purpose of the title. Jan writes in a genre that is so broad but often gets overlooked - general contemporary women's fiction (I hope that's right!). They're romantic, but without any slush at all, more 'real life'. I think this collection would be most suited to women of, shall we say, over 30. My favourite was Two Hearts, One Soul. I rather liked 'Over The Moon' too, which was light and amusing.
They're ideal for the purpose of the title. Jan writes in a genre that is so broad but often gets overlooked - general contemporary women's fiction (I hope that's right!). They're romantic, but without any slush at all, more 'real life'. I think this collection would be most suited to women of, shall we say, over 30. My favourite was Two Hearts, One Soul. I rather liked 'Over The Moon' too, which was light and amusing.
April 11, 2021
Many people think short stories lack emotional depth, that the concise form doesn’t allow for sufficient character development to make the reader fully engage. Others think that a story won’t be a gripping read unless it has an exotic setting or an action-packed narrative. Not so! Jan Ruth has created some beautiful stories, written from the heart, which are a joy to read. But don’t just take my word for it - read them yourself.
February 16, 2023
Interesting view of human/family relations.
July 6, 2013
I found this book through one of my reader's services and it looked intriguing so I ordered it. I wasn't sure what I was getting into but thought it might be interesting to read something from a British novelist.
I will say that it was rather confusing in the sense that none of what was included in The Long and The Short of It was ever really complete. I get the fact that it includes some short stories and a first chapter from each of Ms. Ruth's novels. However, the short stories seemed incomplete; rather, they just abruptly ended leaving the reader wondering what happened. I was highly disappointed and would have rather the author come full circle and include a few more pages to really finish each of the individual shorts.
In terms of the first chapters, I have to admit that I didn't quite understand what I was reading until after the fact and I did some further research on what The Long and The Short of It was really supposed to be. Had I have known, perhaps I would have had a better appreciation of what I had read. Nevertheless, since I didn't I can only say I was disappointed because I felt "cheated" in the sense that these stories again seemed incomplete.
Frankly, I'm not sure what the point of this book was really. I would have rather seen a collection of just the short stories (full and complete ones that is) than what was presented in this anthology. That way, I could choose to continue on with the rest of her novels and would probably liked them better than just reading a single chapter of each. To me, presentation is everything, and this book really lacked in the category.
I will say that it was rather confusing in the sense that none of what was included in The Long and The Short of It was ever really complete. I get the fact that it includes some short stories and a first chapter from each of Ms. Ruth's novels. However, the short stories seemed incomplete; rather, they just abruptly ended leaving the reader wondering what happened. I was highly disappointed and would have rather the author come full circle and include a few more pages to really finish each of the individual shorts.
In terms of the first chapters, I have to admit that I didn't quite understand what I was reading until after the fact and I did some further research on what The Long and The Short of It was really supposed to be. Had I have known, perhaps I would have had a better appreciation of what I had read. Nevertheless, since I didn't I can only say I was disappointed because I felt "cheated" in the sense that these stories again seemed incomplete.
Frankly, I'm not sure what the point of this book was really. I would have rather seen a collection of just the short stories (full and complete ones that is) than what was presented in this anthology. That way, I could choose to continue on with the rest of her novels and would probably liked them better than just reading a single chapter of each. To me, presentation is everything, and this book really lacked in the category.
October 22, 2016
There are so many good books out there that short stories normally fall outside of my reading radar: that was my first mistake.
I bought this on a whim a few months ago. Something as a go to reliable on my Kindle when I had a few minutes in the schoolyard between pick-ups: therein lay my second mistake.
These stories aren’t to be read in short spurts like a dripping tap they are good enough to be savoured with a decent cup of coffee and perhaps a smidgen of cake (chocolate preferably).
The first story ‘What to do about Clara’ is well written but that’s a given with my book reviews. As you know if I can’t get passed page five I don’t read and I therefore don’t review.
Clara’s story made me want to fling my Kindle across the room in disgust. The indignity of her story heartfelt. So many relationships end up in this mire of misunderstanding and angst but it takes a writer with Ms Ruth’s skill to deliver feelings like this, taut anxious feelings delivered by a consummate wordsmith.
‘Over the moon’ had me laughing out loud, in fact between you, me and the bedsheets I now have a tea stained white duvet cover because of it. What with tastefully arranged carrots and turnips I was beside myself after the first page. And yet there’s pathos here to. My mother counts her birthday cards each year and woe betide anyone that forgets to send her one. To her, birthdays are everything as they are for most of you. For me they mean nothing, they mark yet another tragedy – but that’s another story.
I bought this on a whim a few months ago. Something as a go to reliable on my Kindle when I had a few minutes in the schoolyard between pick-ups: therein lay my second mistake.
These stories aren’t to be read in short spurts like a dripping tap they are good enough to be savoured with a decent cup of coffee and perhaps a smidgen of cake (chocolate preferably).
The first story ‘What to do about Clara’ is well written but that’s a given with my book reviews. As you know if I can’t get passed page five I don’t read and I therefore don’t review.
Clara’s story made me want to fling my Kindle across the room in disgust. The indignity of her story heartfelt. So many relationships end up in this mire of misunderstanding and angst but it takes a writer with Ms Ruth’s skill to deliver feelings like this, taut anxious feelings delivered by a consummate wordsmith.
‘Over the moon’ had me laughing out loud, in fact between you, me and the bedsheets I now have a tea stained white duvet cover because of it. What with tastefully arranged carrots and turnips I was beside myself after the first page. And yet there’s pathos here to. My mother counts her birthday cards each year and woe betide anyone that forgets to send her one. To her, birthdays are everything as they are for most of you. For me they mean nothing, they mark yet another tragedy – but that’s another story.
March 2, 2013
This was a very entertaining read, although I must admit that the endings to the stories were a bit abrupt. On the other hand the way they ended did leave room for my own imagination to get to work, because they could go either way. However the romantic souls among us will lean towards the happy possibilities left open.
What did phase me was reading the first chapter of another book while under the impression I was reading another short. It would have been nice to know up front, because coming at the end I wanted to read more and there wasn’t. I do not like this way of trying readers to buy another book, but that’s just a pet peeve of mine and should not distract from my overall very pleasant read.
So apart from the teaser chapters a solid four star book and one I certainly recommend to all who want a light yet compelling read delivered in bite size chunks.
What did phase me was reading the first chapter of another book while under the impression I was reading another short. It would have been nice to know up front, because coming at the end I wanted to read more and there wasn’t. I do not like this way of trying readers to buy another book, but that’s just a pet peeve of mine and should not distract from my overall very pleasant read.
So apart from the teaser chapters a solid four star book and one I certainly recommend to all who want a light yet compelling read delivered in bite size chunks.
September 26, 2016
I know its taken me a long time to read this set of short stories but that is the beauty of short stories you can pick the book up anytime you want to dive into. This is a set of seven short stories and Jan set's her stories around the glorious welsh countryside. I enjoyed each one of these stories about people and relationships, Jan quickly got you into the story with great narrative with some wonderful warmth and humour and there were always little twists along the way which you didn't quite expect. A lovely set of stories that wet your appetite for Jan's writing. Will definitely look for more works from Jan.
It's great to have a set of short stories on the going for tea break reads and for 'inbetween' full length novel reads.
It's great to have a set of short stories on the going for tea break reads and for 'inbetween' full length novel reads.
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