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The Call
Thrilling novella, THE CALL, tells the story of fourteen people and the fourteen phone calls that could change their lives forever.
Praise for THE
"An engrossing story which brings a company of interconnected people into focus one after another. It is intended to be, and is, truly moving." (Amazon)
"...beautifully observed and stylishly written with flair and energy. There so much in this book - about the way we live our lives...a really satisfying read." (The Book Club)
"I was instantly gripped into the first story and naturally wanted to read more. Corinna's stories are written with authenticity and an empathy for the various difficult life issues & dilemmas. Everyone will spot a character they will relate to." (Goodreads)
ONE MORNING, FOURTEEN PEOPLE, FOURTEEN PHONE CALLS, INFINITE FATES.
When Pippa comes across a young man standing on the edge of a deserted bridge, little does she know that her next phone call willbe part of a chain of events that will reverberate through the lives of thirteen people she will never meet.
Travelling through the lives of a range of fascinating characters, including a chef, a refugee and a young woman dealing with an abusive father; thrilling novella, The Call , explores how modern life's most ubiquitous object, the phone, can be a bringer of joy and change, or stasis and disappointment.
Praise for THE
"An engrossing story which brings a company of interconnected people into focus one after another. It is intended to be, and is, truly moving." (Amazon)
"...beautifully observed and stylishly written with flair and energy. There so much in this book - about the way we live our lives...a really satisfying read." (The Book Club)
"I was instantly gripped into the first story and naturally wanted to read more. Corinna's stories are written with authenticity and an empathy for the various difficult life issues & dilemmas. Everyone will spot a character they will relate to." (Goodreads)
ONE MORNING, FOURTEEN PEOPLE, FOURTEEN PHONE CALLS, INFINITE FATES.
When Pippa comes across a young man standing on the edge of a deserted bridge, little does she know that her next phone call willbe part of a chain of events that will reverberate through the lives of thirteen people she will never meet.
Travelling through the lives of a range of fascinating characters, including a chef, a refugee and a young woman dealing with an abusive father; thrilling novella, The Call , explores how modern life's most ubiquitous object, the phone, can be a bringer of joy and change, or stasis and disappointment.
176 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2017
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Corinna Edwards-Colledge
5 books26 followersI was born and brought up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester. We lived close to wonderful rugged countryside and regularly went on long family hikes exploring forests and moors. Kitted out with my own little rucksack and walking boots, I would go on ahead with my Kendal Mint-Cake for sustenance, and seek out secret little places. The feeling of magic and mystery that surrounded areas like Alderley Edge and Stile Woods are still with me.
I was an only child for the first ten years of my life and found comfort and company in books. I loved fantasy and adventure best, but would devour anything that had a good story and engaging characters. Imagination was, and always has been an integral part of my sense of self.
I studied English and Media at the University of Sussex and have lived in Brighton for over 30 years. I've had a varied career encompassing acting, campaigning, TV journalism, work in local government, and now, leading the UNISON branch at Brighton & Hove City Council. I write across literary genres, including novels, short stories and increasing recently, poetry .
In the last couple of years I have been commissioned by The Royal Literary Society with a piece called Secrets, Relics and Lost Lives, featured on Radio 4’s hugely popular Saturday Live talking about a family history project called The Findings, and had a poem adapted into a song by renowned musician, Ted Barnes.
Most recently I brought my campaigning and writing together with a short film of a poem about the importance of local government, which has now had thousands of views. I play an active part in the Brighton & Hove cultural scene, regularly reading live, performing in festivals, and collaborating with artists, historians and schools through my writing.
I call myself a ‘Mancunian Brightonian’ having made my home in the city-by-the-sea 25 years ago. I live with my husband in a loving if sometimes hectic, patchwork family including two kids each, a dog, two cats and a semi-domesticated Seagull called Gerald!
I was an only child for the first ten years of my life and found comfort and company in books. I loved fantasy and adventure best, but would devour anything that had a good story and engaging characters. Imagination was, and always has been an integral part of my sense of self.
I studied English and Media at the University of Sussex and have lived in Brighton for over 30 years. I've had a varied career encompassing acting, campaigning, TV journalism, work in local government, and now, leading the UNISON branch at Brighton & Hove City Council. I write across literary genres, including novels, short stories and increasing recently, poetry .
In the last couple of years I have been commissioned by The Royal Literary Society with a piece called Secrets, Relics and Lost Lives, featured on Radio 4’s hugely popular Saturday Live talking about a family history project called The Findings, and had a poem adapted into a song by renowned musician, Ted Barnes.
Most recently I brought my campaigning and writing together with a short film of a poem about the importance of local government, which has now had thousands of views. I play an active part in the Brighton & Hove cultural scene, regularly reading live, performing in festivals, and collaborating with artists, historians and schools through my writing.
I call myself a ‘Mancunian Brightonian’ having made my home in the city-by-the-sea 25 years ago. I live with my husband in a loving if sometimes hectic, patchwork family including two kids each, a dog, two cats and a semi-domesticated Seagull called Gerald!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 17, 2017
I know this is only a short book but it was so good it didn't take me long to read as I had to keep turning the pages. 14 chapters each dealing with a different but connected character. Who knew that one phone call could have such an effect on 13 seemingly unrelated people. Very clever an I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this book.
July 20, 2017
This is the first book by this author that I've read, and one that is written in way that I've not found in many other books. Each chapter is devoted to a different character and they are linked via family or work connections to the character in the following chapter.
I enjoyed reading this novella and meeting the personalities within it. I've been left wondering what happened to some of them and if any of them will make appearances in other books.
I liked the style of writing. It's not a particularly pacy read, but rather explores each persons thoughts processes and reasoning about the situations they find themselves in.
This has been a great introduction to Corinna's writing and I also like the description of another of her books, The Soul Room, so I'll be reading that soon too.
I enjoyed reading this novella and meeting the personalities within it. I've been left wondering what happened to some of them and if any of them will make appearances in other books.
I liked the style of writing. It's not a particularly pacy read, but rather explores each persons thoughts processes and reasoning about the situations they find themselves in.
This has been a great introduction to Corinna's writing and I also like the description of another of her books, The Soul Room, so I'll be reading that soon too.
July 13, 2017
An engrossing story which brings a company of interconnected people into focus one after another. It is intended to be, and is, truly moving. The writer has the gift of bringing places and situations to life by throwing the reader into them instead of painting them with lengthy descriptions.
In the copy I read there were some grammar and punctuation errors, but not enough to ruin the reading experience. In some ways this reads like a first novel (though I’ve found out it is not) and could be improved by an editor’s touch to smooth out a little awkward roughness in places and perhaps subdue the writer’s own voice.
But what a great read! The characters are all very different and, as in the best selection boxes, there is true variety including both hard and soft centres. The basic premise of the focus moving between characters makes it natural to see first one and then another point of view for the same situation. It’s not necessary to ‘pick sides’ and my sympathies shifted as the basic warm-heartedness of the story won through.
I felt this story could well have continued. Not as a second volume in a series but simply carrying on for another 100 pages, revisiting some of the characters we’ve come to know. I wanted more! I want to see what happens to these people next, especially as there are quite a few unresolved story lines – as in real life.
The Call is a brilliant idea and should be rendered as a pilot for an ongoing TV show.
In the copy I read there were some grammar and punctuation errors, but not enough to ruin the reading experience. In some ways this reads like a first novel (though I’ve found out it is not) and could be improved by an editor’s touch to smooth out a little awkward roughness in places and perhaps subdue the writer’s own voice.
But what a great read! The characters are all very different and, as in the best selection boxes, there is true variety including both hard and soft centres. The basic premise of the focus moving between characters makes it natural to see first one and then another point of view for the same situation. It’s not necessary to ‘pick sides’ and my sympathies shifted as the basic warm-heartedness of the story won through.
I felt this story could well have continued. Not as a second volume in a series but simply carrying on for another 100 pages, revisiting some of the characters we’ve come to know. I wanted more! I want to see what happens to these people next, especially as there are quite a few unresolved story lines – as in real life.
The Call is a brilliant idea and should be rendered as a pilot for an ongoing TV show.
March 14, 2020
do u know of her writing? (can some1 tell me, when u review on AMAZON USA, does it go over to the UK and CA (Canada) and AU (Australian) versions? i wonder??!) i am new to Corinna Edwards-Colledge writing ... great cover. love it ... totally awesome cover. "fourteen people, fourteen phone calls, one morning, infinite fates." this book is under contemporary urban fiction, psychological thrillers, psychological fiction on Amazon. released on April 30, 2017. i was taken in on such an amazing ride. love that. i really enjoy finding new authors. i think if i recall ... it was a FB giveaway that i won. was contacted by the author, and got this amazing book. "this is a collection of stories that means a lot to me, i hope you enjoy it", i got a bookmark, business card, and a personalized note!! i get really excited finding new Canadian as well as UK authors (which CEC is a UK author!!) i wanna support all authors equally ... love giving support all over ..if that make any sense what so ever!! but i really appreciate the time when an author give a personalized anything. u know??! that makes my book heart even happier. u know i love hard back books. that makes my book heart drool ...but paper backs are great too. love the text used in this book. "tarantula named Doris" what, really. now that is cool. but Beth doesn't like spiders ... i am trying not to scream. can u imagine. makes me think of the Home Alone scene. scary. i know, i know, what a wimp! i don't enjoy spiders or snakes. i appreciate their colors and uniqueness but they still creepy me out. i think this collection would be fun to hear like audio book i mean. i wonder??! i will need to check more into CEC. she rocks!! and we share a common name "Edwards". check her out asap!! so glad i did find her and i am such a new fan. ( ;
May 7, 2017
This is a perfectly crafted story. It touches intimately on 14 characters all linked by a phone call or text and effortlessly drifts from one character to the next chapter by chapter. Each character's story is nicely fleshed out and draws you in to their particular situation before leaving to the next point of contact. Turning the page to the new character you leave the last wanting more but somehow being fulfilled by jumping to the next person that comes quickly to life in the following pages.
The stories are modern and current to the present day and intelligently observed. The way the individual stories cut short is true to how real life plays out, we don't always get to hear conclusions, there aren't always endings or resolutions and we trust our imaginations to envisage possible futures.
The story as a whole follows round to the beginning in a satisfying conclusion, there could be room for the author to pick up some of the stories in future novels or to use the structure again with a different cast. Either way I will be looking out for more from her and can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in people.
The stories are modern and current to the present day and intelligently observed. The way the individual stories cut short is true to how real life plays out, we don't always get to hear conclusions, there aren't always endings or resolutions and we trust our imaginations to envisage possible futures.
The story as a whole follows round to the beginning in a satisfying conclusion, there could be room for the author to pick up some of the stories in future novels or to use the structure again with a different cast. Either way I will be looking out for more from her and can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in people.
May 7, 2017
This is the third offering from this author that I have been lucky enough to read - and my favourite to date (though I much enjoyed the others) - there are a number of seemingly separate stories being told
with the common factor that each main character receives or makes a phone call. I love that the stories encompass a broad range of "everyday" tales and that, as the stories develop, we find links between them (or not in some cases). The writer has a vivid and colourful writing style - such that I often re-read sections as they were beautifully observed and stylishly written with flair and energy - I don't do this very often so I must have really liked it!!! There so much in this book - about the way we live our lives and thus its a really satisfying read - but it gives us the freedom to make up our own minds about some of the "endings" so that's a real treat too.
with the common factor that each main character receives or makes a phone call. I love that the stories encompass a broad range of "everyday" tales and that, as the stories develop, we find links between them (or not in some cases). The writer has a vivid and colourful writing style - such that I often re-read sections as they were beautifully observed and stylishly written with flair and energy - I don't do this very often so I must have really liked it!!! There so much in this book - about the way we live our lives and thus its a really satisfying read - but it gives us the freedom to make up our own minds about some of the "endings" so that's a real treat too.
July 19, 2017
From the off, we meet a very engrossing collection of characters - each playing their own part and stemming from an initial phone call between ‘The Driver’ and her husband.
The characters are all very different and are all dealing with their own tribulations, these include dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis, sexual abuse and a cheating spouse. Each chapter creates a turmoil of emotion and I found some of the characters hard to let go of after their chapter was over - to me, a sign of brilliant writing and I could have easily read more!
There were a couple of grammar and punctuation errors, but not enough to ruin the reading experience.
All in all, a very clever tale worthy of 5 stars.
The characters are all very different and are all dealing with their own tribulations, these include dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis, sexual abuse and a cheating spouse. Each chapter creates a turmoil of emotion and I found some of the characters hard to let go of after their chapter was over - to me, a sign of brilliant writing and I could have easily read more!
There were a couple of grammar and punctuation errors, but not enough to ruin the reading experience.
All in all, a very clever tale worthy of 5 stars.
July 16, 2017
I read an ARC of this book and loved every minute of it - in fact, as an author myself, I kept thinking 'damn, I wish I'd come up with this idea!' In chapter one, during the throes of a very distressing scene, a phone call is made, what happens next is the impact that phone call has on thirteen other lives, drawing it back, in the finale, to the original characters. Intelligent, sensitive and unique, I adore Corinna's books, this a strong contender for my favourite, which is The Soul Room. A novella in length it delivers on impact and is bigger than many novels I've read in recent years.
July 31, 2017
I am no writer, I pride myself on my talent being reading, but if I ever wrote a book, this would be the book I would have wished to write.
I adored the way that all these lives were seamlessly connected. Each story was unique and well thought out and beautifully written.
I cannot wait to read more by Corinna Edwards-Colledge.
I adored the way that all these lives were seamlessly connected. Each story was unique and well thought out and beautifully written.
I cannot wait to read more by Corinna Edwards-Colledge.
June 18, 2018
Intriguing
I didn't know anything about this book when I started it, I hadn't even read the blurb, just been recommended. I am so glad I went into it this way, it weaves its way through, chapter by chapter, creating layer upon layer. I am not going to give anything away about the story but it is a great read.
I didn't know anything about this book when I started it, I hadn't even read the blurb, just been recommended. I am so glad I went into it this way, it weaves its way through, chapter by chapter, creating layer upon layer. I am not going to give anything away about the story but it is a great read.
July 30, 2017
I loved this short book. Each chapter gave us enough to find out about the character and their situation. I really enjoyed the way each chapter phased into the next one and I desperately want to know what happened to some of the characters, what became of them, what was the conclusion for them?
January 1, 2020
Interesting
A very interesting read where each short story is connected to each other. Would have liked a different ending explaining the ending of each story but was still a good read.
A very interesting read where each short story is connected to each other. Would have liked a different ending explaining the ending of each story but was still a good read.
May 5, 2020
Very different
I really enjoyed this book as it is a very different concept. I felt that I got to know each character. I gave a 4 star rating because I felt that some characters needed their own endings.
I really enjoyed this book as it is a very different concept. I felt that I got to know each character. I gave a 4 star rating because I felt that some characters needed their own endings.
July 6, 2024
I picked it up randomly in an airbnb I was staying at and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down and cried twice during reading. I've been struggling with reading regularly again, but this made me remember how enjoyable it is to sit down in a park and just lose yourself in the story.
May 6, 2017
What an amazing book. A series of short stories that can each stand alone but are skillfully woven into an amazing novella. It blew my mind. Very very clever, the author is an amazing talent. Read it.
July 12, 2017
This book is like a breath of fresh air: well-written, compelling and intelligent. I loved it.
Many thanks to the author and TBC for the advanced copy.
Many thanks to the author and TBC for the advanced copy.
July 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this book about a tale of troubled souls and a phone call that will change everything
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2021
I’ve just finished The Call. I loved it!!
Looking forward to hearing what holds in store next for this very talented author!!
Looking forward to hearing what holds in store next for this very talented author!!
September 17, 2021
Loved every page
January 14, 2020
Read it in about 3 hours. Just had to keep going. Fantastic prose and wonderful concept. Once I knew that the key characters are all connected in some way my mind was awash with thoughts of who would come up next and how they would be woven into the core story. Some real edge of seat moments. And some interesting commentary on modern Britain.
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May 7, 2017Corinna's short stories are written with an authenticity & empathy for the various difficult life issues & dilemmas of the various characters she portrays who are all interlinked with a life changing phone call or text. I think everyone will spot a character they relate to and I particularly enjoyed how some of the stories were left open ended and gave me space to reflect. A fantastic accessible read.
August 4, 2017
The call by Corinna Edwards-colledge.
Fourteen people, Fourteen phone calls, one morning, infinite fontes.
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved how it went from person to person. I had no idea just one phone call could do that. It was very cleverly written. 5*. Tbc on fb.
Fourteen people, Fourteen phone calls, one morning, infinite fontes.
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved how it went from person to person. I had no idea just one phone call could do that. It was very cleverly written. 5*. Tbc on fb.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews