 | Even when they’re having sex, Susan’s husband doesn’t give her his full attention. So no wonder she’s jealous of Wendy – not the other woman in the love triangle, but the phone that rarely leaves Kurt’s hand. But Susan has her own obsession: a case of letters that have gone astray when the couple moved house. |
Susan isn’t anti-technology but, as a librarian, she much prefers books. And snail mail as opposed to email – or is that because she’s mourning the loss of the letters from her first love?
As her twin boys become more independent, and Kurt more absorbed in his phone, Susan becomes reckless in her search for the missing letters. But what is she really looking for? Is it Antony’s devotion or the girl she used to be?
I might not have chosen to read a novel about relationships with screens and devices had I not enjoyed the author’s quirky debut, How to Be Human. With poignancy and deadpan humour, both novels explore the desperation for intimate connection and the internal and external barriers that get in the way. I did find the chronology in Speak to Me occasionally confusing but, overall, it was a fabulously entertaining and touching read. Thanks to publishers Tinder Press for my advance proof copy.
As her twin boys become more independent, and Kurt more absorbed in his phone, Susan becomes reckless in her search for the missing letters. But what is she really looking for? Is it Antony’s devotion or the girl she used to be?
I might not have chosen to read a novel about relationships with screens and devices had I not enjoyed the author’s quirky debut, How to Be Human. With poignancy and deadpan humour, both novels explore the desperation for intimate connection and the internal and external barriers that get in the way. I did find the chronology in Speak to Me occasionally confusing but, overall, it was a fabulously entertaining and touching read. Thanks to publishers Tinder Press for my advance proof copy.
| I struggled to find a way into a story for this week’s flash fiction challenge about grains of sand. But phones, along with Susan’s predicament, must have been marinating in my unconscious, because I’ve come up with this. Somewhat silly, but I hope you find it fun. |  |
The loss of love
One million thirty-five thousand four hundred and twenty-one. One million thirty-five thousand four hundred and twenty-two. If she counts them all he’ll come back to her. He’ll be the man she married all those years ago.
The grains sneak under her fingernails. They stick to her sweaty palms. But that’s nothing compared to the loneliness. The loss of love.
Piercing as a baby’s cry, the ring tone ruptures her reverie. It’s him! But a recorded voice warns her that her computer could have a virus. She flings the phone into the sand.
Begin again. One, two, three, four …
One million thirty-five thousand four hundred and twenty-one. One million thirty-five thousand four hundred and twenty-two. If she counts them all he’ll come back to her. He’ll be the man she married all those years ago.
The grains sneak under her fingernails. They stick to her sweaty palms. But that’s nothing compared to the loneliness. The loss of love.
Piercing as a baby’s cry, the ring tone ruptures her reverie. It’s him! But a recorded voice warns her that her computer could have a virus. She flings the phone into the sand.
Begin again. One, two, three, four …
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