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If You're Happy
From the 2020 QLA Glendower winner comes a timely and insightful collection of stories about how we pursue happiness in a turbulent world. The stories in this impressive, thoughtful collection explore the human heart and its desire and capacity for joy. A divorced woman discovers a growing sinkhole in her yard, a lonely man finds an abandoned toddler, a second wife in a fundamentalist community questions her religion, a young Australian veteran of the Afghanistan conflict is haunted by a memory from his last mission. Fiona Robertson's stories traverse the globe to reveal people at moments of change or crisis, as they struggle to repair fractures in their lives and search for something close to happiness.
- GenresShort Stories
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2022
9 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Robertson
1 book24 followersFiona Robertson is a writer from Brisbane, Australia. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK, and has been shortlisted for international story competitions.
'If You're Happy' won the Glendower Award for an unpublished manuscript at the 2020 Queensland Literary Awards, and was shortlisted for the Steele Rudd award in the 2022 Queensland Literary Awards.
The collection If You're Happy is comprised of 24 stories about people from all walks of life who are unhappy in some way, or facing a crisis. They make mistakes and sometimes make amends. All are seeking something close to happiness.
Links to purchase the collection:
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/if-you-r...
The Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/If-You...
'If You're Happy' won the Glendower Award for an unpublished manuscript at the 2020 Queensland Literary Awards, and was shortlisted for the Steele Rudd award in the 2022 Queensland Literary Awards.
The collection If You're Happy is comprised of 24 stories about people from all walks of life who are unhappy in some way, or facing a crisis. They make mistakes and sometimes make amends. All are seeking something close to happiness.
Links to purchase the collection:
Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/if-you-r...
The Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/If-You...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 6, 2022
What’s most impressive in this collection is Robertson’s incredible empathy for her characters. Their desires and foibles are honoured and handled gently, making even the most eccentric and unusual among them relatable. If You’re Happy is an intriguing read, and reading it is like peeking into the windows of strangers and learning all about their lives at a glance.
My full review of If You're Happy appeared first on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of If You're Happy appeared first on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
January 19, 2022
Queensland Literary Award winner Fiona Robertson, the debut author of a truly eclectic and poignant short story collection, IF YOU’RE HAPPY (UQP 2022), gifts readers an expansive, wide-ranging and yet intimate selection of diverse stories that demonstrates her skills as a writer and the life experience that informs her stories.
IF YOU’RE HAPPY is an impressive anthology, covering geographical scope, both historical and contemporary stories, and a range of issues. Themes of the collection as a whole include happiness (of course) in its many and varied forms, loneliness, yearning, ageing and the compromise that often results, conflict and relationship dynamics, and many stories are informed by Robertson’s other life as a medical doctor. Nearly every story is characterised by a deliciously ambiguous or unresolved ending that leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
If you are passionate about short stories, then I am preaching to the converted. But if a collection such as this is not normally a book towards which you would gravitate, I would encourage you to open the pages of IF YOU’RE HAPPY to introduce you to the genre. Like authors Laura Elvery and Julie Koh, Robertson writes of the pain and joy and tension of the human condition, and explores many different scenarios with pathos, hope, uncertainty and a clear-eyed perspective and insight into emotion and behaviour. Short stories are a wonderful form because you can dip in and out at will; you can read one story in one sitting, and then allow yourself to ponder the meaning and significance of what you have read. Each of these stories leaves room for doubt about what happens next…and space to consider the options of a different outcome.
The stories are set across the world, and Robertson has an uncanny ability to persuade the reader she is most certainly writing from that particular country, even though the following story might be set on a different continent. Such is her skill at not only depicting setting, but also her use of language and idioms, as well as cultural practices. Every story involves change or conflict, with the protagonists struggling to understand their motivations, to repair their fractured lives, or to connect with others in a meaningful way.
The title story, IF YOU’RE HAPPY, is the truly sad and poignant tale of a man who discovers an abandoned toddler. In TEMPEST, a dangerous storm emphasises the lost dreams of a fading woman. In some of the stories, such as ALL THIS BEAUTY and CONSTANT SMALL ADJUSTMENTS, the reader experiences a creeping sense of menace, which often ends in a surprising way. SNOWFALL also swerves in an unexpected direction, challenging stereotypes. And AFTERSHOCK takes the reader to one place and then swiftly reveals a hidden history that shifts our perspective. DESCENT depicts outward transgressions and concealed secrets. A man’s emotional pain is exposed in A SHIFT IN THE ICE. One of my favourites, THE LESSON, takes us into a classroom at a juvenile detention facility, where a teacher is stretched to her limits; where reality hits hard. The most surreal story, with a touch of magic realism, is THE FLUTTERING, a sinister tale of an ill child and the possible spiritual connection with a flock of birds. SEA CHANGE also wanders into slightly unreal territory, with a moving resolution that will give you goosebumps. A sinkhole opens up in a woman’s backyard in THE GROUND BENEATH. Religious vows and marriage are explored in SWEET BOUNTIFUL. Another favourite is BIRTHDAY WISHES, which navigates the shrinking lives of older people with dementia and their carers, yet simultaneously celebrates the small joys of life. SHINY THINGS, HAPPY HOUR, PLUME and PITTER PATTER each give us a glimpse into the lives of others. A SLOW EXHALATION is an eerie story that reads like a six-page thriller and ends on a cliff-hanger. LAST GAME is an unsettling ghost story that will send shivers up your spine. CHRISTMAS PARTY and BOXING DAY both end in unforeseen tragedies. ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON examines the terrible and traumatic legacy of war. Robertson explores an unusual and interesting cyclic structure in AND YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF, in which the story follows first one character and then another, until finally we are returned full circle to the original protagonist – one of those ‘aha!’ moments that are so precious when reading.
The quality of writing in this collection is very high. Stories are concise, sharp and biting; they deliver a metaphorical punch to the stomach. We are drawn into the inner minds and subconscious thoughts of rich and layered characters; we are asked to put ourselves in their place. What decision would we make? Which would we choose? How would we react? How could we live with ourselves if that had happened to us? The prose is beautiful, with evocative description, authentic dialogue and many ethical and moral questions. In many of these stories, the ending only makes us want to return to the beginning, to spot what we have missed, or to enjoy a more informed second reading. A brilliant collection. Fiona Robertson is definitely a writer to watch.
IF YOU’RE HAPPY is an impressive anthology, covering geographical scope, both historical and contemporary stories, and a range of issues. Themes of the collection as a whole include happiness (of course) in its many and varied forms, loneliness, yearning, ageing and the compromise that often results, conflict and relationship dynamics, and many stories are informed by Robertson’s other life as a medical doctor. Nearly every story is characterised by a deliciously ambiguous or unresolved ending that leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
If you are passionate about short stories, then I am preaching to the converted. But if a collection such as this is not normally a book towards which you would gravitate, I would encourage you to open the pages of IF YOU’RE HAPPY to introduce you to the genre. Like authors Laura Elvery and Julie Koh, Robertson writes of the pain and joy and tension of the human condition, and explores many different scenarios with pathos, hope, uncertainty and a clear-eyed perspective and insight into emotion and behaviour. Short stories are a wonderful form because you can dip in and out at will; you can read one story in one sitting, and then allow yourself to ponder the meaning and significance of what you have read. Each of these stories leaves room for doubt about what happens next…and space to consider the options of a different outcome.
The stories are set across the world, and Robertson has an uncanny ability to persuade the reader she is most certainly writing from that particular country, even though the following story might be set on a different continent. Such is her skill at not only depicting setting, but also her use of language and idioms, as well as cultural practices. Every story involves change or conflict, with the protagonists struggling to understand their motivations, to repair their fractured lives, or to connect with others in a meaningful way.
The title story, IF YOU’RE HAPPY, is the truly sad and poignant tale of a man who discovers an abandoned toddler. In TEMPEST, a dangerous storm emphasises the lost dreams of a fading woman. In some of the stories, such as ALL THIS BEAUTY and CONSTANT SMALL ADJUSTMENTS, the reader experiences a creeping sense of menace, which often ends in a surprising way. SNOWFALL also swerves in an unexpected direction, challenging stereotypes. And AFTERSHOCK takes the reader to one place and then swiftly reveals a hidden history that shifts our perspective. DESCENT depicts outward transgressions and concealed secrets. A man’s emotional pain is exposed in A SHIFT IN THE ICE. One of my favourites, THE LESSON, takes us into a classroom at a juvenile detention facility, where a teacher is stretched to her limits; where reality hits hard. The most surreal story, with a touch of magic realism, is THE FLUTTERING, a sinister tale of an ill child and the possible spiritual connection with a flock of birds. SEA CHANGE also wanders into slightly unreal territory, with a moving resolution that will give you goosebumps. A sinkhole opens up in a woman’s backyard in THE GROUND BENEATH. Religious vows and marriage are explored in SWEET BOUNTIFUL. Another favourite is BIRTHDAY WISHES, which navigates the shrinking lives of older people with dementia and their carers, yet simultaneously celebrates the small joys of life. SHINY THINGS, HAPPY HOUR, PLUME and PITTER PATTER each give us a glimpse into the lives of others. A SLOW EXHALATION is an eerie story that reads like a six-page thriller and ends on a cliff-hanger. LAST GAME is an unsettling ghost story that will send shivers up your spine. CHRISTMAS PARTY and BOXING DAY both end in unforeseen tragedies. ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON examines the terrible and traumatic legacy of war. Robertson explores an unusual and interesting cyclic structure in AND YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF, in which the story follows first one character and then another, until finally we are returned full circle to the original protagonist – one of those ‘aha!’ moments that are so precious when reading.
The quality of writing in this collection is very high. Stories are concise, sharp and biting; they deliver a metaphorical punch to the stomach. We are drawn into the inner minds and subconscious thoughts of rich and layered characters; we are asked to put ourselves in their place. What decision would we make? Which would we choose? How would we react? How could we live with ourselves if that had happened to us? The prose is beautiful, with evocative description, authentic dialogue and many ethical and moral questions. In many of these stories, the ending only makes us want to return to the beginning, to spot what we have missed, or to enjoy a more informed second reading. A brilliant collection. Fiona Robertson is definitely a writer to watch.
July 18, 2025
If you’re happy…
The title of this book immediately evokes nostalgia. We are transported back to the preschool song, “If you’re happy and you know it…”, where we gleefully acted out our happiness by clapping our hands, stomping our feet and nodding our heads.
And so begins our lifelong obsession with happiness. Happiness is not just an emotion. It is not a fleeting mood, but something lasting, something substantial. Is it something that should constantly be sought? Or is it a byproduct of leading an authentic life? A life that we can assign significance and meaning to?
“If You’re Happy” is a novel built on paradox - a series of short stories exploring life’s inherent difficulties. Each story is poignantly written from the perspective of a different character, all authentically and uniquely voiced, and all struggling through a moment of crisis.
It is a collection of stories that capture larger moments of existential suffering, and reflect that it is the small moments of pleasure in life that can redeem us and allow us to create meaning again.
A cyclone that quells feelings of dissatisfaction and reconnects a married couple. The stained glass window wings of a Monarch butterfly that transforms a moment of trauma into a moment of resilience. A sporadic glacier walk in Iceland to heal the soul after loss. A mystical painting of the ocean from an ex wife that offers insight, or a caving near-miss that leads to clarity…
What ties these characters’ life moments together is their acknowledgment of the beauty that exists within life’s complexity. The joy that exists in the struggle. The light that can only be seen after one experiences the darkness.
This book reassures us that finding complete joy is challenging, and that true happiness exists within life’s ephemeral, chaotic moments.
The title of this book immediately evokes nostalgia. We are transported back to the preschool song, “If you’re happy and you know it…”, where we gleefully acted out our happiness by clapping our hands, stomping our feet and nodding our heads.
And so begins our lifelong obsession with happiness. Happiness is not just an emotion. It is not a fleeting mood, but something lasting, something substantial. Is it something that should constantly be sought? Or is it a byproduct of leading an authentic life? A life that we can assign significance and meaning to?
“If You’re Happy” is a novel built on paradox - a series of short stories exploring life’s inherent difficulties. Each story is poignantly written from the perspective of a different character, all authentically and uniquely voiced, and all struggling through a moment of crisis.
It is a collection of stories that capture larger moments of existential suffering, and reflect that it is the small moments of pleasure in life that can redeem us and allow us to create meaning again.
A cyclone that quells feelings of dissatisfaction and reconnects a married couple. The stained glass window wings of a Monarch butterfly that transforms a moment of trauma into a moment of resilience. A sporadic glacier walk in Iceland to heal the soul after loss. A mystical painting of the ocean from an ex wife that offers insight, or a caving near-miss that leads to clarity…
What ties these characters’ life moments together is their acknowledgment of the beauty that exists within life’s complexity. The joy that exists in the struggle. The light that can only be seen after one experiences the darkness.
This book reassures us that finding complete joy is challenging, and that true happiness exists within life’s ephemeral, chaotic moments.
March 13, 2022
This book is a wonder to read! Fully-realised characters dealing with natural disasters, infertility, PTSD, a robbery, a third wife, and much more. The settings range from Australia to Canada and Iceland. The stories may be short, but it's easy to feel empathy for each of these characters. A masterclass in short story writing.
March 29, 2022
Every character in these stories comes from a different social "box" or "label". Fiona made me care deeply about them with such compassionate writing, and showed how sad and dehumanising it is when we refuse to look over the fence.
May 6, 2022
Such a strong collection. Read the first story; it will make you want to read them all. My favourite was Constant Small Adjustments, following a police officer as she carries out a welfare check on an elderly person: this duty forces forward the memory of a recent similar situation, prompting a reflection on her marriage, her work life, and the decisions she has made. My kind writing; and my kind of people. I loved spending time with them.
February 16, 2022
IF YOU’RE HAPPY is a collection of heartfelt and tender short stories that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m never sure about short story collections because I often feel that I don’t get the chance to connect with the characters in such a short space of time, but it didn’t feel that way in this collection.
These stories explore compassion, joy, and human connection.
I thought all of characters had real heart, compassion and they very much felt like real people.
The writing in IF YOU’RE HAPPY is spectacular and I found myself unable to put it down. The titular story really stole my heart and I think that extensive geological range that was included was impressive, and I would highly recommend taking the time to explore this collection!
These stories explore compassion, joy, and human connection.
I thought all of characters had real heart, compassion and they very much felt like real people.
The writing in IF YOU’RE HAPPY is spectacular and I found myself unable to put it down. The titular story really stole my heart and I think that extensive geological range that was included was impressive, and I would highly recommend taking the time to explore this collection!
March 5, 2022
The irony of IF YOU’RE HAPPY is that these are actually quite sad short stories. And I loved them. Robertson has a wonderful way of surprising the reader usually right at a story’s conclusion and I really enjoyed the unexpected jolt. The characters are often lonely and sad and we meet them in moments where something out of the ordinary has happened in their otherwise ordinary lives. Robertson shows real restraint with these stories and they are all delightfully short short stories (without being flash fiction). We don’t talk about the length of short stories enough (and don’t ever get me started on unannounced novellas in short story collections). Sometimes a short story feels like the first chapter of a novel and I mean that as a criticism but that was never the case here. A mighty fine collection.
March 5, 2022
Fiona Robertson's debut collection of twenty-four short stories is a delight. Carefully crafted and beautifully written the stories have immediate impact and linger long afterwards. The collection was awarded the Queensland Literary Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer (2022).
You can read my full review at
https://maureenhelen.com/if-youre-hap...
You can read my full review at
https://maureenhelen.com/if-youre-hap...
October 3, 2023
Another recommendation from one of the boys.
From national disasters down to tiny tragedies, this collection of short stories nailed them all.
Incredibly evocative, each character was unique and believable and had personal stakes. The mood through the book stayed consistent - a little hopeless, a little hopeful. Wistful and brutal by turn, each story wove such a complex atmosphere that you could almost hear the mice in the hay shed and the cries of the cockatoos circling at dusk.
This was very skillfully written, and I will be recommending it too.
From national disasters down to tiny tragedies, this collection of short stories nailed them all.
Incredibly evocative, each character was unique and believable and had personal stakes. The mood through the book stayed consistent - a little hopeless, a little hopeful. Wistful and brutal by turn, each story wove such a complex atmosphere that you could almost hear the mice in the hay shed and the cries of the cockatoos circling at dusk.
This was very skillfully written, and I will be recommending it too.
March 6, 2022
Amazing and very talented author, would recommend to everyone! :)
June 29, 2022
People who say they don't like short stories need to read this book! It's like a brilliant collection of postcards - little snapshots from a range of worlds, some near and others far. I loved dipping in and out of this collection and allowed myself one story per night. I laughed, I learned, I was moved. Wonderful.
April 28, 2023
I picked up this book in the local library and had no idea how much I needed to read it! I finished it in one day. This book was a compilation of beautiful, engaging short stories about trials and tribulations of life.
March 6, 2022
This is a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories. Fiona Roberston has a talent for really getting into her characters souls with thought provoking story-telling.
September 6, 2022
pure, strange, brief, 99% hits & I loved this collection
September 4, 2023
A deeply moving collection of beautifully written short stories.
March 30, 2022
A precise and emotive short story collection!
This book of 24 short stories is a phenomenal read, each deserving their own review. And the title alone provides much food for thought. But there’s just not enough space to talk about every story.
Here are my thoughts on some faves:
If You’re Happy
A change of heart turns this character from hero to villain but I feel compassion for him and wonder what led to his actions. What has happened to him?
The Lesson
Good intentions don’t always work out. A lesson in the pressures of social acceptance and the impact of devaluing yourself in order to fit in.
The Ground Beneath
The damage of sadness and the blessing of fate.
Sea Change
How close you can be to the edge before the smallest kindest can save you.
Pitter-Patter
How an empty womb can be calmed without being filled.
Boxing Day
An emotive showing of how people can be taken before their issues are resolved.
Overall this is a sharp, witty and complex collection of stories featuring life-like characters facing external and internal problems.
You have to read Fiona’s work to appreciate her skill and the way she leaves you questioning so many things about life long after you finish reading.
A brilliant collection you’ll want to take your time digesting and will probably read more than once!
This book of 24 short stories is a phenomenal read, each deserving their own review. And the title alone provides much food for thought. But there’s just not enough space to talk about every story.
Here are my thoughts on some faves:
If You’re Happy
A change of heart turns this character from hero to villain but I feel compassion for him and wonder what led to his actions. What has happened to him?
The Lesson
Good intentions don’t always work out. A lesson in the pressures of social acceptance and the impact of devaluing yourself in order to fit in.
The Ground Beneath
The damage of sadness and the blessing of fate.
Sea Change
How close you can be to the edge before the smallest kindest can save you.
Pitter-Patter
How an empty womb can be calmed without being filled.
Boxing Day
An emotive showing of how people can be taken before their issues are resolved.
Overall this is a sharp, witty and complex collection of stories featuring life-like characters facing external and internal problems.
You have to read Fiona’s work to appreciate her skill and the way she leaves you questioning so many things about life long after you finish reading.
A brilliant collection you’ll want to take your time digesting and will probably read more than once!
July 24, 2022
A wide-ranging collection of stories that delights, gently provokes, and entertains. Like all good literature, it helped me feel more connected to the world. Absolutely marvelous.
February 14, 2022
What an absolute & utter delight it was to discover this divine collection of short stories!
Fiona Robertson writes exactly the kind of short stories I love. There’s moments in time, moments of realisation and moments of reckoning. Some stories are atmospheric, quietly powerful, poignant & tender or utterly eerie (hello, ‘The Fluttering’ 😳).
Written in an unassumingly beautiful way that has absence and silence saying so much, some of these stories almost had me throwing my hands up in despair, lamenting that I’ll never write so exquisitely. If You’re Happy is a masterclass in story-telling.
Amongst these moving and accomplished stories, I had a couple of stand-outs. ‘Descent’ had an especially powerful reveal and ‘All This Beauty’ so perfectly reflected the experience of my family that I had a good cry & quietly thanked Fiona Robertson for putting this experience on paper in such a note perfect way.
Compelling, powerful, beautiful. If You’re Happy is very highly recommended!
A very big thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book.
Fiona Robertson writes exactly the kind of short stories I love. There’s moments in time, moments of realisation and moments of reckoning. Some stories are atmospheric, quietly powerful, poignant & tender or utterly eerie (hello, ‘The Fluttering’ 😳).
Written in an unassumingly beautiful way that has absence and silence saying so much, some of these stories almost had me throwing my hands up in despair, lamenting that I’ll never write so exquisitely. If You’re Happy is a masterclass in story-telling.
Amongst these moving and accomplished stories, I had a couple of stand-outs. ‘Descent’ had an especially powerful reveal and ‘All This Beauty’ so perfectly reflected the experience of my family that I had a good cry & quietly thanked Fiona Robertson for putting this experience on paper in such a note perfect way.
Compelling, powerful, beautiful. If You’re Happy is very highly recommended!
A very big thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book.
October 26, 2023
4.5 stars
I picked up this book in the book store and starting reading the first page and proceed to inhale the first short story.
I can't quite put my finger on what hooked me in that first story in particular, it was so simple yet captured a very particular feeling about the pull to be living wild/free vs safe/cosy that I very much resonated with.
(5 stars for the first story! - the others were beautiful too)
I picked up this book in the book store and starting reading the first page and proceed to inhale the first short story.
I can't quite put my finger on what hooked me in that first story in particular, it was so simple yet captured a very particular feeling about the pull to be living wild/free vs safe/cosy that I very much resonated with.
(5 stars for the first story! - the others were beautiful too)
June 3, 2022
I loved this collection of short stories: the simplicity of the language used, the themes of finding happiness, and the way in moved through different places - showing us all that we are all just looking for some joy. Would totally recommend this one!
May 8, 2022
Well written, good variety of stories for every taste and every walk of life. The stories are about choosing happiness without being corny
October 25, 2022
Australian short story collections are growing in popularity, more widely read now than they were, say five years ago. And we seem to have landed in a place where, for the moment at least, these locally published collections offer quality pieces that speak to both our sense of individuality and community, exploring the significant themes of life such as grief, loneliness, love and sacrifice.
Against this context, and without fanfare, Fiona Robertson achieves a book profound and powerful in subject. The joy of it is that you can open the collection at any page and read shorter texts such as Boxing Day, or All This Beauty, or take your time with longer more complicated narratives, such as The Fluttering.
Boxing Day might be my favourite. Robertson places us in an at once familiar scenario: somewhere on holiday at an exotic beach destination, trying to rekindle romance with a long-term partner and feeling mildly uncomfortable about one’s own entitlement, "'Thank you -' she paused to read his name badge '-Kiet.' Why hadn't she used his name before now? She hurried out before she could see his expression...".
But life turns deadly in an instant. We shift from lazy, slightly stifling sun filled days on the beach to unadulterated terror. And I love how Robertson is equally proficient at writing the small every day stuff and then evoking the instant where a moral decision must be made and everyone must 'run'. In this story, like most of them, we are immediately engaged by the central character and feel empathy for her. In such a few short pages we know her, like her, recognise her. Then we run beside her as the terribleness and the tragedy unfolds. We are grateful for the sacrifice, yet experience a dreadful distressing sense of sadness.
The Fluttering is a far knottier piece. A widower tries to take care of his young son while grieving for the wife he recently lost. Using another unexpected and sudden illness, this time centred in the boy, the confusion, fear and rage of grief is unfolded, the natural world symbolising our helplessness in the face of death and the power and fancy we seize upon in the moments when we are at our most vulnerable. It is a brave and nuanced piece that works on several levels. The relationship depicted between father and son is convincing and will break your heart.
Robertson creates flocks of hopeful, sometimes malevolent birds that fly across her pages, suggesting that life is brief and sweet, sadness and death a fingertip's length away. Yet her stories are balanced with flashes of brilliant illumination that make the hard parts bearable. She loves her characters and deals with them generously and that is something lovely. Her vision of our world is poignant; humanity is to be loved and pitied.
I look forward to more of such wisdom in her next book.
Against this context, and without fanfare, Fiona Robertson achieves a book profound and powerful in subject. The joy of it is that you can open the collection at any page and read shorter texts such as Boxing Day, or All This Beauty, or take your time with longer more complicated narratives, such as The Fluttering.
Boxing Day might be my favourite. Robertson places us in an at once familiar scenario: somewhere on holiday at an exotic beach destination, trying to rekindle romance with a long-term partner and feeling mildly uncomfortable about one’s own entitlement, "'Thank you -' she paused to read his name badge '-Kiet.' Why hadn't she used his name before now? She hurried out before she could see his expression...".
But life turns deadly in an instant. We shift from lazy, slightly stifling sun filled days on the beach to unadulterated terror. And I love how Robertson is equally proficient at writing the small every day stuff and then evoking the instant where a moral decision must be made and everyone must 'run'. In this story, like most of them, we are immediately engaged by the central character and feel empathy for her. In such a few short pages we know her, like her, recognise her. Then we run beside her as the terribleness and the tragedy unfolds. We are grateful for the sacrifice, yet experience a dreadful distressing sense of sadness.
The Fluttering is a far knottier piece. A widower tries to take care of his young son while grieving for the wife he recently lost. Using another unexpected and sudden illness, this time centred in the boy, the confusion, fear and rage of grief is unfolded, the natural world symbolising our helplessness in the face of death and the power and fancy we seize upon in the moments when we are at our most vulnerable. It is a brave and nuanced piece that works on several levels. The relationship depicted between father and son is convincing and will break your heart.
Robertson creates flocks of hopeful, sometimes malevolent birds that fly across her pages, suggesting that life is brief and sweet, sadness and death a fingertip's length away. Yet her stories are balanced with flashes of brilliant illumination that make the hard parts bearable. She loves her characters and deals with them generously and that is something lovely. Her vision of our world is poignant; humanity is to be loved and pitied.
I look forward to more of such wisdom in her next book.
December 16, 2023
Full disclosure. Fiona Robertson is a mate, but I wouldn't post a review here if I didn't like what she has written. It's excellent. When a reader knows the author, a funny thing happens when you read their work. You gain a surprising perspective on the person. In the case of Fiona, who is always so lovely and positive and happy, I didn't expect that she'd explore sadness and unhappiness and do it in a way that rips back the facade of coping, the way that If You're Happy does. Each short story is a nuanced vignette full of questions that can't always be answered and in various cases must be dealt with through sad acceptance. It's really very enjoyable (ironically) to read these stories and to know that life is complex for other people too and that if you're happy, you're bloody lucky and to keep going.
March 10, 2022
Exquisitely clear writing which is observant, thoughtful and empathetic. The stories collectively cover a broad range of subjects, giving an intimate look at the fragilities, flaws and strengths of ordinary people. I was really impressed with the quality of the writing, and quite often I went back to reread a story, to enjoy seeing how the pieces of the puzzle came together, or simply because the writing is so evocative and poignant. Highly recommend these short stories - they're elegantly composed and satisfyingly ruminant. I can definitely see why Fiona Robertson won the QLD Literary Award - a very talented writer indeed. Can't wait to see what she does next!
May 9, 2022
If You’re Happy is an outstanding collection that explores the highs and lows of life, but it’s also more than that—there seems to be a nuanced understanding of the protagonist in each story, an empathy for whomever they are that’s vividly passed on to the reader. This is the case whether you’re reading about the discovery of an abandoned baby or an elderly woman with a questionable past. Robertson’s prose also deserves a mention, it’s tight and spare but with just the right amount of detail to provide powerful emotional insight. The title story was a favourite but then also ‘Happy Hour’ and actually . . . you know what, there are too many to list.
May 23, 2022
I'm enjoying short story collections more and more, especially Australian short story collections. Are there a lot of them at the moment, or maybe it's just me paying attention. I'm also learning how best to read them so I enjoy them most. One or two at a time, I can't gulp them all down, or I get lost as do the stories. I need to savour them like good chocolates.
I particularly enjoy realistic short stories and this book is predominantly full of them. Fiona Robertson has lived in many countries and the stories reflect that, with mostly Australian settings, but some North American settings too. The protagonists are a range of ages in situations covering the past 40 or so years.
I particularly enjoy realistic short stories and this book is predominantly full of them. Fiona Robertson has lived in many countries and the stories reflect that, with mostly Australian settings, but some North American settings too. The protagonists are a range of ages in situations covering the past 40 or so years.
March 20, 2022
Like all the best short stories, this impressive debut collection of 24 captures moments in time when lives are taken on altogether different trajectories by split-second choices and actions. The stories reveal the vulnerability and flaws of what it is to be human, but also the joy and wonder to be found if we follow our hearts. Each story is unique, the characters diverse and richly crafted and the endings are often unexpected. I loved it.
March 5, 2022
I absolutely loved this book by Fiona Robertson. Each well crafted story kept me hooked until the end. Fortunately for my sleep, Fiona’s gripping short stories are a perfect length for bedtime reading - some escapism and immersion, yet closure is within reach. What are you writing next Fiona?!
August 29, 2022
Fiona Robertson is a lovely human from Brisbane, Australia who has written a series of delightful stories that capture life's little joys hidden amongst some of the most painful moments we can ever experience. Beautifully written, each story focuses on a separate character and the moment where they realise happiness can exist, even in the darkest of times. If you are time-poor, and want to read something of substance, then this anthology is for you.
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