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True?
Aussie. Apps. Poets. Parole. Trysts. Travel. Rehab. Refugees. Jail. Journos. Strippers. Celebs. Drugs. More drugs. Sixteen short stories by an author described by Takahe literary journal as "One of the most original story writers of his generation in New Zealand."
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2018
7 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Michael Botur
19 books100 followersMichael Botur, born 1984 in Christchurch, New Zealand, living in Whangarei, Northland, is the author of eight short story collections, five novels, a children's book and the poetry collection 'Loudmouth: Page & Pub Poems.' He has won awards for short fiction in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Botur has published journalism in most major newspapers and magazines in New Zealand and is an emerging screenwriter.
Botur has published creative writing in most NZ literary journals, has won various prizes for short stories and poems since beginning writing in 2005 and has been included in numerous anthologies.
Botur has published news articles in VICE World News, the Listener, New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Star-Times, The Spinoff, Noted, Mana and North & South.
In 2021 Botur was the first Kiwi winner of the Australasian Horror Writers Association Short Story Award for 'Test of Death' and has been runner-up twice since.
Botur has published creative writing in most NZ literary journals, has won various prizes for short stories and poems since beginning writing in 2005 and has been included in numerous anthologies.
Botur has published news articles in VICE World News, the Listener, New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Star-Times, The Spinoff, Noted, Mana and North & South.
In 2021 Botur was the first Kiwi winner of the Australasian Horror Writers Association Short Story Award for 'Test of Death' and has been runner-up twice since.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 5, 2019
TRUE? is a self published selection of sixteen hard hitting and brutally honest short stories by Northland based indie author Michael Botur.
In a style described by the literary world as ‘dirty realism,’ this collection examines sometimes difficult and taboo subjects such as sex, drugs, poverty and questionable life choices whilst encouraging readers to contemplate the lessons that can be learnt from the glamorous aspects of life.
A stand out feature of this selection is Boturs’ ability to create believable dialogue and realistic characters which demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature.
The rawness of the characters is tenderly captured through a sometimes uncomfortable yet natural use of language and their qualities and flaws are elegantly brought to life with consistent ease throughout these brief but entirely captivating windows into their lives.
Overall True? is an engaging short story collection that will be relatable to some and leave others with a new appreciation for those on a different path.
In a style described by the literary world as ‘dirty realism,’ this collection examines sometimes difficult and taboo subjects such as sex, drugs, poverty and questionable life choices whilst encouraging readers to contemplate the lessons that can be learnt from the glamorous aspects of life.
A stand out feature of this selection is Boturs’ ability to create believable dialogue and realistic characters which demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature.
The rawness of the characters is tenderly captured through a sometimes uncomfortable yet natural use of language and their qualities and flaws are elegantly brought to life with consistent ease throughout these brief but entirely captivating windows into their lives.
Overall True? is an engaging short story collection that will be relatable to some and leave others with a new appreciation for those on a different path.
February 3, 2019
"Plenty of grit," the author told me when I bought his book. I guess he could see at a glance that dirty realism probably wasn't my favored genre. I explained that I read widely and for different purposes. This was research – and it paid off.
The pace of these short stories almost causes whiplash. Keep up! It's worth the ride.
True? Yes – true enough to warrant the title and the punctuation.
The pace of these short stories almost causes whiplash. Keep up! It's worth the ride.
True? Yes – true enough to warrant the title and the punctuation.
February 2, 2019
Each story is captivating, introducing you to characters so sharply drawn they stomp up and down the page - you will either love, or love to hate them. The dialogue, including the slang, is so real it rolls around your tongue like its belongs there. I couldn't pick a favourtie. Sixteen neat, pacy little packages of pure reading pleasure.
April 2, 2019
Great mix of short stories.
Various stories, with different themes. Some funny, some shocking. Others make you think. Like the last two. The monster was deported, long live the Monster. The last one, with the strippers was interesting.
Various stories, with different themes. Some funny, some shocking. Others make you think. Like the last two. The monster was deported, long live the Monster. The last one, with the strippers was interesting.
November 12, 2023
Rated 6/10 Short stories are frustrating things as seem to almost go somewhere but not quite. This collection is fairly blunt and to the point about sex and drugs. Perhaps the final story was the kindest, a sort of Once were Warriors hard men meet the Wiggles. Probably the most enjoyable.
December 17, 2019
Different
This book has some weird stories in it, a lot of adult content as well. Some of the stories were ok.
This book has some weird stories in it, a lot of adult content as well. Some of the stories were ok.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews