This Paradise

by Ruby Cowling

***LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL FICTION AND SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 EDGE HILL PRIZE***
A family prepares for Assessment; an au pair in the Caribbean wrestles with duty as a hurricane makes landfall; a game designer aches with bodily longing. Amidst it all, twins, heroines, mothers and rebels play out their lives under the strange grips of technology, governments, corporations and the capricious planet on which we all, in our different ways, just about manage to live. This Paradise is a rare and beautiful collection of stories about people fleeing towards places or times or situations they hope might be better – trying to outrun their nature, to deny the undeniable. Written with an arresting eye for detail, a rich sense of compassion and a darkly comic understanding of the human psyche, the stories in this volume propose a series of haphazard questions, not least of which is: where do we run to when there’s nowhere left to run?

“No other writer of short fiction has such a firm finger on the unsteady pulse of the suppurating British body politic.” – Joanna Walsh, author of Words From The World’s End.

“With these stories, Ruby Cowling shows a brilliantly instinctive understanding that a story can be anything, go anywhere, and say the things you were least expecting it to say. These are stories that will tip the ground out from beneath your feet.” – Jon McGregor, author of Reservoir 13.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

Paperback

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional collection of stories, bang up to date with some composed of emails, tweets, WhatsApp, news reports. Others concern switching off children, man meshes with machine, strange rituals. A family has to lower their weight in order to gain benefits - the mother has organs removed to reach required totals. Sharp, tricky, delivered with power and gusto. Top stuff. 4.5 stars

[Jack Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? Some of these stories landed and some of them didn’t. The ground is considerably distorted was probably my fav with the schizo page layout. Generally speaking, the themes were not subtle and felt a bit heavy handed to me. ‘Phone bad’ as a story line certainly feels very late 2010s now - I suppose there isn’t really anyone who needs convincing anymore.

[Mark Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was an enjoyable short story collection. Several of the stories are experimental in form, which can be annoying, but is generally done well here. In particular, 'The ground is considerably distorted', is told using both conventional narrative, and in social media updates that run down the sides of the page. This creates an interesting contrast between what the characters are thinking and what they are publically announcing, and also enables the story to be viewed in different ways, depending on which order the narrative is read.

For me, the standout story was 'Flamingo Land', a close to reality tale about a family whose social security payments require them to be within a particular weight range, forcing them to take a series of desperate measures around weighing time.

A few of the stories didn't work quite as well; I'm not convinced that the author has an accurate view of computer games, for example, meaning that her stories focused on that subject weren't as effective. However, this was an original and interesting collection, that I hope the author builds on.

[Ben Pester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoted this Easter weekend to short stories in between doing stuff with the kids.

Finishing this collection was top of my list. Ruby Cowling has had stories doing well online for a while, and won the prestigious White Review short story prize for The Biophile - which is included in the collection.

I read it from start to finish (in order) but I reckon you can jump around if you prefer to dip.

I gave it five stars because all of the stories have taken it in turns to haunt me over the last couple of months since I received the book (it came out with the fiction list from Boiler House press which I bought as a very fine set).

Cowling’s work is full of the weird, haunting things I love.
She explores frequently the detachment of modern work, alienating experiences inside and outside of close families, voices set apart from their origins, and the fractured relationship between body, technology and voice.

[Sussi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why short stories aren't more popular. They are perfect for a busy life, for a train or bus ride or just for those ten minutes with a burning hot cup of coffee on the sofa.

This collection though. This is more than a collection of random stories. This is goddamn literature. This high end word magicianery - ok so that is not actually a word, but it should be. The language is simple, yet intense and complex. The subject matters are every day, yet universal and unique at the same time.

Admittedly I have a soft spot for short stories, and this collection - it could make you have one too. Be prepared for beauty, challenge and for wanting to give it to all your friends.

Also, if you don't like this book. We can no longer be friends. There I said it

[Joshua Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of these stories, such as Superfar, to be almost incomprehensible. In Superfar's case, it feels like it's trying too hard with its language, too busy trying to create a new future to be an engaging story. Which is a shame, as it's the last story in the collection, and comes after the titular story: a truly engaging read about the betrayal of the younger generations and worldly violence.

For me personally, the two stand-out stories are The Two Body Problem, a tale of twins struggling with their own individualisms, and Flamingo Land. The latter is a classic tale of a family scraping by and doing their best, set to a dystopian backdrop.

Overrall, there are some truly rich and gorgeous stories in this collection, the odd dud, and a lot of stories that are simply just good.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of ten short stories is exceptional. Ruby Cowling's stories are imaginative yet always grounded in a recognisable reality with characters you care about. Her writing is edgy, with a hint of magic realism the stories are sometimes comic yet there is always a darker undercurrent. Several stories are cleverly set in an alternative future which allows Cowling to interrogate contemporary issues without being overtly politic. Flamingo Land was one of my favourites and scarily believable. I also loved the title story This Paradise, which I wanted to be even longer.
I hope more short stories and/ or a novel will be coming soon from this writer.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are stories with something to say. To me, they speak about society, equality and justice, but also the micro level mechanics of how we relate, get cut off from ourselves and each other, and how we come back into connection. There is beauty, depth, and darkness. Disturbing dystopias which are often left just out of sight, yet seem worryingly plausible. Flamingo Land was one of my favourites. It deeply horrified, only to delight with the last paragraph.
Summary: astonishing stories. Buy. Read. Ponder.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I hoovered up in one day during my commute and lunch time. The writing is such that each story demands to be finished before you do anything else. All the tales are contemporary or inhabit a near future and address relationships in new and uncanny ways. ‘The Ground is Considerably Distorted’ is the standout story, ranging over different mediums and character effortlessly with the confidence and panache of Ali Smith. A must read.

[Rachel Genn]

When you read This Paradise, you discover how many ways Ruby Cowling can seduce you to scrutinise power without knowing it. Her ability to shift shapes between stories and styles hides the near-clairvoyance into what we are most afraid of and what we most want. For arbiters of style, and those who intimately know desire's tussle with justice, this is your collection.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book exquisitely written. I loved all the stories and they are the kind that will stay with you for a long time. The topics were unique and quirky, surprising and sometimes shocking, but very current and totally relevant to today’s world. I look forward to seeing what else this author writes!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the distilled essence of the short form - felt often a distant view towards a broken world - the abrupt sense for violence simmering under the surface of otherwise normal feeling exchanges - the whole thing felt vital - well worth a read imo

[Jls33]

Short story collections are so difficult to rate. Some of these stories took on weird formats that didn’t work for me. But I enjoyed the last few Black Mirror-esque dystopia of the last few stories a lot. Flamingoland, This Paradise and Biophile were standouts for me.

[Jude Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and innovative collection of short stories-well worth a read!

[SM]

Loved “The Ground is Considerably Distorted,” “Flamingo Land,” and “This Paradise.”

[A L]

Great middle stories, and formally interesting; some went into Black Mirror territory.

[Rowena Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, well-observed, satisfying stories.

[ReadingwhileWalking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection by the experimental Bradford-born writer Ruby Cowling. Apart from odd mentions of Colne and Saddleworth the themes are more universal than northern, including the excellent We Are Part of This (first published at Forge Lit Mag) about a group of women 'finding themselves' on a wild and woolly meditation break. Other stand-outs include The Ground is Considerably Distorted, about a young Japanese journalist covering a political scandal in UK, told in tweets, emails, what's app messages and journal reports. Some stories are slightly weaker but overall this is an outstanding read.