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Enclaves: Short Stories Rooted in Time and Place
A collection of six short works of fiction to read in stolen moments, with the unusual bonus of an extensive appendix. Each story stands alone and can be read without reference to the extra notes in the back of the book. However, those left wishing for more will enjoy reading the author's thoughts on setting and characters, and then maybe even giving the story another read-through!
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 30, 2019
This is such an awesome concept! I'm wishing all my favorite authors did a collection like this to 'lift the veil' so to speak and write about the inspiration for particular stories. So in Enclaves you begin with a collection of short stories and then if you are inclined to learn more you can reference the appendix in the back of the book. Was your intuition about the time and place where the story was set correct? Did you discover something new? If you're at all like me you'll feel inclined to reread the story and see if your new information has changed your perspective. You may also be inclined to Google -ahem Kinshachi and Greylings- certain things and seek out the author via her website and social media to look up photographs. I really enjoyed the layers of discovery the author invites with this collection, hopefully you will too.
February 20, 2020
Like a teacher might do, I give this collection of short stories an "A" for effort, an "A+" for originality; however, I've ended up at a 3 star rating here on Goodreads. Let me explain.
The dedication within this book made me tear up. I'm part of this author's writer's group. The author writes that the encouragement she receives gives her the courage to try new things. What a gift to be traveling in the same circle together. To be open, honest, and have trust. To be each other's cheerleaders. What a gift to watch someone self-publish their way into reaching their goals, checking things off their "bucket list", and working towards the next stage within their writing careers and various life roles! It's such a joy to watch it all taking place.
In part than, my rating could be viewed as skewed. That's why I've waited to write my review. I wanted the newness of this book to wear off. For time to have passed. I read it when I was gifted a copy by the author and it was hot off the presses and I've read it again as of last night (Tuesday, February 18th, 2020). I've done my best to go from an excited, first reader, to an objective one in order to review this book properly.
Also, knowing the writer's non-fiction book, "Dinner at Home: Advice and Encouragement for the Untrained Home Cook" gave me expectations of grandeur. This author's first non-fiction title was one of the easiest 5 star ratings I've ever given! That book will forever have a permanent place in my home. It's so good! Everyone I personally know who has read it has walked away encouraged and inspired. They have felt as though they were gifted with a morale and confidence boost and that they're more than capable of learning the art of cooking. They also closed the book feeling as though the author had become a friend of theirs. There are almost no higher accolades than the above to be given out, am I right?
There's no comparison to be made between the two books this author has published. They are radically different. However, I'd be lying if I didn't see the two books this author has written and rate this short story collection taking into account each book's effectiveness and calibration. With the non-fiction offering of this author I had no choice but to give 5 stars. It was simply that well done; to me, flawless even! With this short story offering I'm unwilling to rise above a 3; and, yet, a 3 still rates as a "GoodRead" to me.
"Every story is just a beginning" (Anjanette Barr). I love this line! It can be taken, read, understood, and applied in many different ways with varying degrees of depth attached to it. However, when applied to these short stories, that's how I was left feeling within the majority of them outside of the "Fish Prince". Within each short story I was left wanting more. This is both a good and a bad thing. The "Fish Prince" was the only short story I felt that was fully complete, as a story within itself, fully fleshed out from start to finish.
My three favorite stories from this collection? "Ashes", "A Soul for A Kiss", and "Threads of Heaven". These three stories I would've rated as 4 stars apiece, if they had stood on their own outside of a collection, despite my feeling as though they were left incomplete.
The appendix is something the likes I've never seen before and in part why I have given this author an "A+" for originality. To receive insights of the where's and why's of each story written enriches and enhances each piece immensely! To read a bit of the history behind each story breathes more life into them too.
I read this book straight through my first time. On my second read through I read the story and then it's correlating appendix piece. I believe reading the story, and then it's correlating part within the appendix (prior to moving onto the next story), is the best way to approach each of the short stories the author shares within this collection. By doing so, it gifts this thin read more mettle, depth, and volume as you traverse through each time and place.
My 3 star rating could be attributed to a preference thing (typically appreciating non-fiction reads more so than fiction); but, I think what's at play for me is that this is an author's first foray into short story fiction. The stories read above that of a novice but also lack a master's touch. Nonetheless, the collection is well done.
One final note, all items in the short stories are brought to culmination within the Appendix offerings. (The behind the scenes of what inspired the author to write each piece.) I would've liked to have seen the same tie in given in regards to the cover art. Why did the author choose the photograph she did to represent the words she shared within? There must be a story there as well. A depth of meaning that goes beyond what one sees. Given background information, in regards to the cover art, I feel would help to enrich the stories themselves and would help me to appreciate the cover too.
Again, a solid three stars from me and kudos to the author for attempting, trying, doing; and, ultimately, completing something new.
The dedication within this book made me tear up. I'm part of this author's writer's group. The author writes that the encouragement she receives gives her the courage to try new things. What a gift to be traveling in the same circle together. To be open, honest, and have trust. To be each other's cheerleaders. What a gift to watch someone self-publish their way into reaching their goals, checking things off their "bucket list", and working towards the next stage within their writing careers and various life roles! It's such a joy to watch it all taking place.
In part than, my rating could be viewed as skewed. That's why I've waited to write my review. I wanted the newness of this book to wear off. For time to have passed. I read it when I was gifted a copy by the author and it was hot off the presses and I've read it again as of last night (Tuesday, February 18th, 2020). I've done my best to go from an excited, first reader, to an objective one in order to review this book properly.
Also, knowing the writer's non-fiction book, "Dinner at Home: Advice and Encouragement for the Untrained Home Cook" gave me expectations of grandeur. This author's first non-fiction title was one of the easiest 5 star ratings I've ever given! That book will forever have a permanent place in my home. It's so good! Everyone I personally know who has read it has walked away encouraged and inspired. They have felt as though they were gifted with a morale and confidence boost and that they're more than capable of learning the art of cooking. They also closed the book feeling as though the author had become a friend of theirs. There are almost no higher accolades than the above to be given out, am I right?
There's no comparison to be made between the two books this author has published. They are radically different. However, I'd be lying if I didn't see the two books this author has written and rate this short story collection taking into account each book's effectiveness and calibration. With the non-fiction offering of this author I had no choice but to give 5 stars. It was simply that well done; to me, flawless even! With this short story offering I'm unwilling to rise above a 3; and, yet, a 3 still rates as a "GoodRead" to me.
"Every story is just a beginning" (Anjanette Barr). I love this line! It can be taken, read, understood, and applied in many different ways with varying degrees of depth attached to it. However, when applied to these short stories, that's how I was left feeling within the majority of them outside of the "Fish Prince". Within each short story I was left wanting more. This is both a good and a bad thing. The "Fish Prince" was the only short story I felt that was fully complete, as a story within itself, fully fleshed out from start to finish.
My three favorite stories from this collection? "Ashes", "A Soul for A Kiss", and "Threads of Heaven". These three stories I would've rated as 4 stars apiece, if they had stood on their own outside of a collection, despite my feeling as though they were left incomplete.
The appendix is something the likes I've never seen before and in part why I have given this author an "A+" for originality. To receive insights of the where's and why's of each story written enriches and enhances each piece immensely! To read a bit of the history behind each story breathes more life into them too.
I read this book straight through my first time. On my second read through I read the story and then it's correlating appendix piece. I believe reading the story, and then it's correlating part within the appendix (prior to moving onto the next story), is the best way to approach each of the short stories the author shares within this collection. By doing so, it gifts this thin read more mettle, depth, and volume as you traverse through each time and place.
My 3 star rating could be attributed to a preference thing (typically appreciating non-fiction reads more so than fiction); but, I think what's at play for me is that this is an author's first foray into short story fiction. The stories read above that of a novice but also lack a master's touch. Nonetheless, the collection is well done.
One final note, all items in the short stories are brought to culmination within the Appendix offerings. (The behind the scenes of what inspired the author to write each piece.) I would've liked to have seen the same tie in given in regards to the cover art. Why did the author choose the photograph she did to represent the words she shared within? There must be a story there as well. A depth of meaning that goes beyond what one sees. Given background information, in regards to the cover art, I feel would help to enrich the stories themselves and would help me to appreciate the cover too.
Again, a solid three stars from me and kudos to the author for attempting, trying, doing; and, ultimately, completing something new.
June 7, 2019
A collection of very short stories that make you wish they were longer
The writer is skilled at painting a character and a scene. While each story is barely a page, you get just enough to wish there was more to read.
The writer is skilled at painting a character and a scene. While each story is barely a page, you get just enough to wish there was more to read.
October 13, 2021
7/10. I was flip-flopping between rounding up or down, but the last story sold me.
The stories here are definitely short fiction! And while the brevity of some was beautiful, others felt lackluster.
Definitely interested in checking out some of the author's other books, though.
The stories here are definitely short fiction! And while the brevity of some was beautiful, others felt lackluster.
Definitely interested in checking out some of the author's other books, though.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews