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Quartet: Four short stories, four explorations of the fantastic
A collection of four short stories by author Leo McBride. From a boy's supernatural connection to a grandfather clock, to a fantasy tale of an old man being hunted by knights, to a contemporary tale of the power of a photographer and a homeless man who may be more than he seems. Four tales to add a dash of wonder, a flash of fantasy, a question of what might be...
- GenresFiction
69 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 21, 2018
This gets five stars for imagination, execution and ideas. I have no idea how to talk about the stories without spoilers. So all I will say is this little volume takes mythologies and turns them on their heads.
Very highly recommended
Very highly recommended
September 6, 2016
I really enjoyed the short stories I found in this interesting collection. The author does a great job. If you are not a writer of short stories, you may not know that a lot goes into the process. The author has surpassed expectations by making the stories feel complete and each is like reading a complete book. I won't go into each stoy, but they are compelling and make the reader think, definitely a plus and a challenge. Leo McBride has met the challenge of writing great short stories and I hope others will grab this book and take a journey with the author. I love the added bits of why the author wrote the stories and the questions asked and answered at the end that give readers an insight into the author.
August 13, 2016
A quartet of tales.
It's a landscape without monsters, without elves or orcs... but still a fantasy landscape telling a myth that might have been.
I think I misled myself from the sub-title 'Four short stories of the fantastic' into expecting these would be fantasy genre stories. Of course the use of the word 'fantastic' is in its original sense of something that is imaginative and not real, but I would also apply it in its more modern meaning 'extraordinarily good or attractive'.
To say too much about each individual story would be to betray its secrets before their time - they are all well worth reading. 'A Place To Rest' is a story set in history and is about the pressures of life we may not always consider when we look at those great names of the past. 'Acquiescence' is a strange, snap-shot of a story, highlighting a single thought and extending it to a new possible conclusion. I liked 'Percy' the best and would really hope that he could walk on from this short-story into a novel - or two or three - of his own one day. The book closes with a story about endings 'The Grandfather Clock'.
“I’m trying to figure you out, Percy. You’re a strange man, you know that?”
I enjoyed the four stories in 'Quartet' and would recommend them to anyone who loves a good tale that is well told.
It's a landscape without monsters, without elves or orcs... but still a fantasy landscape telling a myth that might have been.
I think I misled myself from the sub-title 'Four short stories of the fantastic' into expecting these would be fantasy genre stories. Of course the use of the word 'fantastic' is in its original sense of something that is imaginative and not real, but I would also apply it in its more modern meaning 'extraordinarily good or attractive'.
To say too much about each individual story would be to betray its secrets before their time - they are all well worth reading. 'A Place To Rest' is a story set in history and is about the pressures of life we may not always consider when we look at those great names of the past. 'Acquiescence' is a strange, snap-shot of a story, highlighting a single thought and extending it to a new possible conclusion. I liked 'Percy' the best and would really hope that he could walk on from this short-story into a novel - or two or three - of his own one day. The book closes with a story about endings 'The Grandfather Clock'.
“I’m trying to figure you out, Percy. You’re a strange man, you know that?”
I enjoyed the four stories in 'Quartet' and would recommend them to anyone who loves a good tale that is well told.
June 27, 2017
This is a charming collection of short stories, well worth the read. Like his other work, Leo McBride shows his skills in creating worlds that provide a different slant on this one, taking the reader into a world where the fantasy element seems quite at home and the most likely explanation.
I liked the author notes, it is always interesting to get an insight into the creative processes behind a story. Here he explains the overall theme of time, and fits each story into place, both into the theme, and into his personal memories.
Possibly the only jarring element is the story about the camera. Well written in itself, the choppy style sits at odds with the other more descriptive prose stories. I thought the style suited the story really well, and it is a good story in itself. Perhaps a few poems or another story in the style of the others would have been better suited to the overall collection.
The standout story is 'Percy' with a mysterious homeless man that is more than he seems. The elements of history, mystery, chivalry and fantasy are blended in a tale not easily forgotten.
I look forward to reading more of Leo McBride's work.
I liked the author notes, it is always interesting to get an insight into the creative processes behind a story. Here he explains the overall theme of time, and fits each story into place, both into the theme, and into his personal memories.
Possibly the only jarring element is the story about the camera. Well written in itself, the choppy style sits at odds with the other more descriptive prose stories. I thought the style suited the story really well, and it is a good story in itself. Perhaps a few poems or another story in the style of the others would have been better suited to the overall collection.
The standout story is 'Percy' with a mysterious homeless man that is more than he seems. The elements of history, mystery, chivalry and fantasy are blended in a tale not easily forgotten.
I look forward to reading more of Leo McBride's work.
March 23, 2019
Quartet by Leo McBride has four short stories, probably closer to magical realism than straight fantasy. I've enjoyed a couple of McBride's short stories before - 'Professor Whitlock's Exotic and Fabulous Grand Tour of the Underworld' in Tales From the UnderGround and, in particular, 'Cold was the Ground' in Gods of Clay, so I was looking forward to these ones.
My first impression from this earlier collection was that McBride has grown as an author. My second impression was, that apart from the fact they were perhaps too short, I loved these stories. My favourite is 'A Place to Rest' that starts out with an old man escaping a search party. I enjoyed the gradual realisation of the identity of this escapee (fantastic name) & the relationship between the man and the boy. 'Percy' would be my close second. Percy is such a great character especially against the backdrop of modern American society. I do hope that the author explores his story further. The other two stories 'Acquiescence' and 'Grandfather Clock' offer interesting reflections and questions about the nature of reality, time and identify.
This is a gentle and thought-provoking collection of four short stories well worth reading.
My first impression from this earlier collection was that McBride has grown as an author. My second impression was, that apart from the fact they were perhaps too short, I loved these stories. My favourite is 'A Place to Rest' that starts out with an old man escaping a search party. I enjoyed the gradual realisation of the identity of this escapee (fantastic name) & the relationship between the man and the boy. 'Percy' would be my close second. Percy is such a great character especially against the backdrop of modern American society. I do hope that the author explores his story further. The other two stories 'Acquiescence' and 'Grandfather Clock' offer interesting reflections and questions about the nature of reality, time and identify.
This is a gentle and thought-provoking collection of four short stories well worth reading.
March 20, 2019
Recap: Four short, very different stories.
Review: My only criticism is that the writing is too short! Just as I settled into the stride of the story, the end was nigh and yes, I know, they're short stories but I wanted more. This is my first introduction to Leo's writing and I'm super pleased that I have more short stories in various anthologies from him to read.
Review: My only criticism is that the writing is too short! Just as I settled into the stride of the story, the end was nigh and yes, I know, they're short stories but I wanted more. This is my first introduction to Leo's writing and I'm super pleased that I have more short stories in various anthologies from him to read.
August 22, 2016
Four easy to read short stories with a central theme that spans the generation gap. A delightful insight into the relationships of young and old, the past and the present. Each story is unique in character and setting, and the additional information provided by the author as to the reason behind each tale gave a nice, authentic touch to his relaxed and easy style.
December 20, 2015
I had no expectations as I just needed to read something for my A-Z Challenge quickly but for a kindle freebie this was a pleasant surprise! Four short stories with a little twist. Nice writing style.
January 6, 2019
I picked "Quartet" up during a recent promo and enjoyed it. This collection four short stories (three fantasy pieces and one character portrait) illustrates why today's indie publishing is so vibrant and full of unique ideas and writers. I love stories that are heavy on mood and that slowly reveal their characters' more interesting sides, and McBride delivers in this regard. The author takes the time to let his characters breathe and unfold in ways that you don't see from a lot of today's more movie-paced fare. In that regard, consider this a collection of literary-minded fantasy pieces that don't need flashing swords or wizards battling dragons to tell an interesting tale. (Emotion > escapism for me.) I also liked the unique, read-in-a-weekend package size. (That's another thing you won't get from the traditional publishing industry.) In terms of writing style, McBride's writing engages the reader, flows smoothly, and conveys much while maintaining an economy of words. It's clear he's not only talented but an experienced writer and editor.
March 13, 2019
Quartet is (as the title suggests) four short stories, each one beautifully written. From fantasy to contemporary to a touch of religion, the imagery reels you in to where you want the stories to continue. Easily read on a rainy or snowy afternoon.
June 27, 2019
Quartet is an entertaining collection of stories. I'd classify the writing as more literary than mainstream, and the genre as more experimental than fantasy. McBride doesn't follow specific rules, but instead takes us on journeys filled with emotion and memorable characters.
February 18, 2018
Great quick read. Four unrelated yet equally interesting stories. I particularly liked the one with Percy, but each had an intriguing twist to share.
March 25, 2019
A wonderful collection of short stories!
December 13, 2016
This was a fun read. It is short stories that I enjoyed enough to want to read more. I will try to add more when I have more time.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews