Smile

by Deborah Moggach

A collection of stories, involving ante-natal classes, Volvo cars, estate agents' placards and threadbare marriages. The author's other novels include "You Must Be Sisters", "A Quiet Drink" and "Stolen".

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Deborah Moggach is a British writer, born Deborah Hough on 28 June 1948. She has written fifteen novels to date, including The Ex-Wives, Tulip Fever, and, most recently, These Foolish Things. She has adapted many of her novels as TV dramas and has also written several film scripts, including the BAFTA-nominated screenplay for Pride & Prejudice. She has also written two collections of short stories and a stage play. In February 2005, Moggach was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by her Alma Mater, the University of Bristol . She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a former Chair of the Society of Authors, and is on the executive committee of PEN.

Reviews

[Sarah Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this excerpt from Lost Boys:
"She was always Lily, never Granny. She wouldn't let them call her that because she felt the wings of mortality brushing her face; she said this touching her rouged cheek. . . . . To idolise anyone is the worst thing one can do, because then they are lost to us."

[Sara G · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite stories were: Smile, Lost Boys, and Snake Girl. I didn't really like Making Hay. All the others I enjoyed.

I really, really like Deborah Moggach's writing, I have a few more of her books on my "to read" list and I can't wait. I think she does the everyday, ordinary life so, so well but I'm eager to pick up some of her other things, too.

[Alison]

short stories about marriage (or not)and family life, good observation and writing though not gripping. Cameo glimpses of lives, believeable people, very varied situations.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of eleven great stories, mostly on the subject of love - lost, found and unrequited. 8.5/10.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author's writing, but I'm not a huge fan of short stories. Some of these are very good though.