Bard: The Short Story Collection

by Claire Fuller, Chigozie Obioma, Marina Lewycka

Genres: Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published April 1, 2018

About the author

Claire Fuller is the author of six novels: The Memory of Animals; Unsettled Ground, which won the Costa Novel Award 2021, and was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction; Our Endless Numbered Days, which won the 2015 Desmond Elliott prize; Swimming Lessons, shortlisted for the Encore Prize; Bitter Orange longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award; and forthcoming in May 2026 Hunger and Thirst.

Reviews

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection. The Secrets, The Wood Between the Worlds and Responsible Adult were my favourites.

[I am Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi Claire Fuller!
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[Dougie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six short stories of varying quality. I thoroughly enjoyed the last two by Sarah Hall and Joanne Harris, as well as the second one by Marina Lewycka. The remaining three were still enjoyable in their own way but without as much to make them stand out. It would be a recommendation even if I'd paid for it so I was delighted that it's a freebie on Audible, there's really no reason for you not to listen to it. Go now, listen to it, it's good!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another collection of short stories, which are available free of charge to Audible members. Much better than the "Skald" collection of short stories on Audible. My favourite story in this "Bard" collection is "Birdlime" by Chigozie Obioma - that's a 5 star story, very compelling.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting set of quite Gothic otherwordly short stories. The first story Responsible Adult by Claire Fuller was not a bad story but I felt didnt really go anywhere and the climax of the story was a bit of an anti-climax. I gave this story 3/5. The second story The Secrets was OK but spectatcular and I thought it was just a touch predictable. I gave this story 2/5. Birdlime the third story in the collection was good I thought as it was an interesting look at what happens when lies expand and they change lives so fundamentally that they have the potential to ruin lives. I though this was a solid story and gave it 3.5/5. The Story with Cacti, the fourth story in this collection was good but nothing extraordinary and to be fair was the most weird of the six stories contained within this collection. However some of the themes contained within this story were expertly told and it was a lovely tale. 4/5 stars for this story. The fifth story, Sudden Traveller was brilliant and caught the emotions of grief, loss and ultimately trying to move forward after a bereavement so well. There was also something about the narration of this story that made this story sing to me. This story for me was a 4.5 story and also my favourite of the collection. The final story in this collection, The Wood Between The Worlds dissappointed me due to the fact that it didnt really go anywhere and it just didn't gel with me on any level. I found it to be quite boring and didnt really listen to and pay attention to it towards the end as it really didn''t go anywhere. I give this story 1.5/5 stars. Therefore overall I give this collection 3/5 stars as I feel that although this collection of short stories has a couple of brilliant stand out stories it is let down slightly by the others.

[Catriona Kelch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a free series of contemporary fiction short stories, read aloud; available to members on Audible.

I liked 'Episode 1: Responsible Adult' read by Mark Meadows the best. It's about a 9 year old boy, called Charles, who goes on holiday with a neglectful aunt whilst his parents go to a vineyard for their own holiday. It's also the boy's very first time flying in a plane.

[Micol Benimeo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean, there were some good stories like Responsible Adult and The Secrets and there was a really good story (The Wood between the Worlds) but the other three story were a waste of time...
My advice: listen to Ep. 6, four stars!

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six stories from six authors. From warm and touching to sad and weird.

[Aadya Dubey]

The only story I liked was Sudden Traveller by Sarah Hall.