After I mentioned this book by Gary Duncan in the previous post (when I was interviewed by Fiona Mcvie), I thought it would be a good idea to write a book review – as hopefully, you will already be aware, I try to keep a balanced blend of books, travel pieces and my own writing on this site, and I haven’t reviewed any new books for almost a year!
So why this one? Obviously, I really enjoyed reading it or I wouldn’t be posting this; but what was so special about it? This book is actually a collection of flash fiction – around 60 in total, each one beautifully crafted and insightful from writer and editor Gary Duncan, who runs the website Spelk, which is dedicated to amazing pieces of flash fiction. Do I have a personal favorite? , Yes of course, for me it got to be Better Than This, in which a young man with sex on his mind, is lured into babysitting for a woman who appears to have no moral qualms about deceiving him, or leaving her young children with someone she barely knows; in order to enjoy a night out with her equally horrible boyfriend. The story made me smile, but horrified me at the same time!
In this collection, the situations and characters are very flawed and human, and there are many layers of complexity, which draw you into a fragmented, but instantly recognizable, fictional world. But instead of me wittering on endlessly about how much I enjoyed it, here is my actual review:
This superb collection of flash fiction offers readers a perfectly formed, miniature world of other people’s wishes, desires, dreams and regrets. The elegant but understated writing style creates a dynamic tension between the simplicity of the stories, and the complexity of the lives and actions of the beautifully formed characters, which we are observing. Each story, memory, fragment and feeling, has been crafted with a very poignant sense of emotional intelligence. Some stories are subtle; some will make you smile, while others are uncompromisingly honest. This book is a kaleidoscope of multifaceted characters and situations, whom you will remember long after you have finished reading; finding their hopes, fears and very human humiliations, have somehow, quite imperceptibly, blended into your own.
Yes – it really is that good – but don’t just take my word for it! – check it out for yourself…
Sonia Kilvington 
I’m curious as to if the title is a reference to a unifying theme between all of these stories or if it is mainly an anthology of his work without too much connection. Fantastic review!
Thank you very much for your comments: I think that it is a theme, but I will pass this on to Gary and see what he has to say about it! Best wishes Sonia!
The title comes from one of the stories (“The Streets”) but could be applied to others too. Some of the stories are loosely linked and touch on the same themes – helplessness, trying to put a brave face on a bad situation, people on the brink, etc., etc. There’s a fair bit of black humour as well, so it’s not all doom and gloom! I agree with you – it’s a great review from Sonia!