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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

TELL ME MORE

Ten more mini reviews and a fun flash about the flying penis

26/11/2021

10 Comments

 
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These ten new reviews might be condensed, but the books they represent are vast in scope. The settings range from a small town half an hour’s drive from me (where I hope to go tomorrow to sing choruses from the Messiah) to Scotland, Belgium, Libya, Southern Africa, the Philippines and North America, from past atrocities to a hi-tech future. Themes range from scarred families, writers’ fragile egos, identity, corruption and the climate crisis. My selection includes one memoir, one literary translation and two novels aimed at young adults. Let me know if any take your fancy.

The Breath of NightThe Breath of Night by Michael Arditti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A man is sent from England to the Philippines to collect evidence about a deceased missionary priest whose family hopes he'll be made a saint. A mystery story exposing corruption and injustice, described as a psychological thriller that didn't get exciting until towards the end.

The Water GardenThe Water Garden by Louise Soraya Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In rural Surrey, a man's infidelity has unexpected repercussions for daughter and granddaughter. Beautiful descriptions of the setting.

The Night PorterThe Night Porter by Mark Barry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this because it was recommended and I know the hotel where it is based. I liked the opening and the ending was fun, but it was three times longer than needed for the story.

Under the Tripoli SkyUnder the Tripoli Sky by Kamal Ben Hameda
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Tripoli in the 1960s, recovering from Mussolini’s occupation and Gaddafi’s changes yet to emerge. Citizens segregated by gender, religion and ethnicity, I’d have preferred the women’s stories without the mediation of the young boy’s narration. Translated from the French by Adriana Hunter.

Green RisingGreen Rising by Lauren James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenagers growing plants from their bodies: freaks, troublemakers or the saviours of the planet? Hopeful YA cli-fi.

Travels with My Father - An Autobiographical NovelTravels with My Father - An Autobiographical Novel by Karen Jennings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Following the death of her father, the author reflects on the history of her extended family and of her home in Cape Town and her travels to Australia, India and Europe. I haven't read her most recent novel, longlisted for the Booker prize, but I enjoyed Upturned Earth. Enjoyed this too, even though I’m no great fan of memoir.

MartinMartin by Paul K Joyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

America's driverless cars malfunction, trapping their passengers inside. Caren's about to discover the grievance behind the sabotage, but she has a grievance to settle with her sister first. I particularly enjoyed the quirky first half; the second is more of a thriller. Fine writing and plenty of action throughout.

Sophie SomeoneSophie Someone by Hayley Long
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A YA novel, recommended to me because the protagonist has an idiosyncratic vocabulary and I have a WIP that does something similar (but different). Sophie seemed much younger than 14 to me.

Shuggie BainShuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Poignant coming-of-age novel about a gay Glaswegian boy growing up with an alcoholic mother. Could have been about 100 pages shorter: the beginning is especially ponderous. An accomplished debut novel, but I expected more from a Booker Prize winner.

Water Must FallWater Must Fall by Nick Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A cli-fi novel set in South Africa and North America, showing the all too credible consequences of allowing capitalists control the natural resources on which we all depend. Cleverly constructed, and encompassing my favourite themes of mental health (in this case a man with autism), (gender and race) identity and social (in)justice, with lots of tech, it's a cracking read. But beware of the paperback – the print is tiny!

View all my reviews
While a cancelled flight is no doubt frustrating for those whose travel plans are interrupted, with the climate emergency it’s good news for the planet. So that’s where I went with this week’s 99-word story, and had a lot of fun in the process.
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Ms Thunberg regrets

She’d been an oddball, a lone protester, Donald Trump’s nemesis, the most famous climate-crisis activist in the world. But now? Greta’s grown up, say her former critics. She’s sold out, say her former friends. But no-one imagined she’d accept Jeff’s invitation to board the flying penis. Why not? he says, as they don their spacesuits. She missed out on being a teenager. Let her have fun.

The media show the countdown. They screen the aborted launch. Jeff being unavailable, journalists ask Greta what went wrong. Nothing, she says. I told him I was on my period, exactly as planned.

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I don’t come across many stories about menstrual blood but, if you click on the image, you’ll find another of mine on the theme.

And talking of short stories, I’m celebrating the third anniversary of the publication of my collection this week. Here I’m reading the shortest story in the book, which started with one of Charli’s flash fiction prompts.

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
10 Comments
Norah Colvin
30/11/2021 11:53:51 am

Although the cli-fi description initially turned me off, I think Water Must Fall would be my first choice from your selection.
I heard a few grumbles about the carbon footprint of those attending the climate change summit. Perhaps a halt to the space program could be good for the planet.
Maybe menstruation doesn't stop girls doing anything they want to do, unless they want it to.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
30/11/2021 04:35:45 pm

Space tourism is ridiculous, just think what that wealth could do here on earth. As for the impact of menstruation, as you know, it depends whether girls have access to safe toilets.

Reply
D. Avery link
30/11/2021 10:25:17 pm

What did you think of the mini reviews? It was an interesting change of pace.
Why no great fan of memoir? Actually I might guess. I am certainly not drawn to a book filled with capital /i/s. But what if they are well crafted as a good story might be?
I am currently reading the John McPhee Reader, a collection of his works (not memoir) in abbreviated form, but was struck by the introduction in which the reader of the Reader is implored to read with (in Charli's terms) x-ray eyes, to appreciate the craft and how McPhee puts it all together no matter the topic. He figured McPhee was a literary artist but one whose works would be spread all about the library because of Dewey decimals and labels. I've read some of McPhee's books (yes I tend towards non-fiction), and am reading these shorts with an eye to how he builds his stories. 'Cause he is still telling a story. But I digress.
Fun flash.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
2/12/2021 05:55:10 pm

I have read some excellent memoirs, and this was fine, but I'm always asking myself, or asking the author, why are you telling me all this stuff about yourself. But I'm thinking that actually might be partly down to having had a narcissistic mother who was a very poor listener.

Reply
D. Avery link
2/12/2021 07:01:10 pm

I think that's a fair question. Oof, but it only leads to more. Like, why write at all? Although it's good someone does, as I do like to read.

Anne Goodwin
3/12/2021 06:54:59 am

Love reading, love writing, there's not much more to it!

Rebecca Glaessner link
1/12/2021 12:23:17 am

I detected a cli-fi theme occurring in your reviews, and then there was your flash. I can picture Greta being so deviously clever, her methods resonate. She's an inspiration to many of us female autistics. Such a powerful soul, in ways that most of us were taught to suppress. What a brilliant take on the prompt Anne. Loved it.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
2/12/2021 05:58:27 pm

Thanks, Rebecca, she's fabulous and I was so pleased to get the idea of building a flash around her. Proof if it were ever needed that we need all kinds of talents in this world.

Reply
Charli Mills
2/12/2021 04:48:27 am

Great collection of mini-reviews. "Martin," sounds interesting. Driverless cars is an icon of mindless consumerism. I've been disinterested in anything Beezos does and disgusted at the thought of space tourism, although it does appeal to me to send wealthy white men to mars and leave them there. That could improve the planet. Anyhow, I had no idea his contraption looked like a massive sky dildo. I looked up "flying penis" expecting to get a hit on whatever commentary you were alluding too and what showed up were Christmas ornaments. ?! What a weird space humanity is in. I added Jeff Beezos to the search and saw the monstrosity. This is how we all die. Beneath a waggling white penis desperate to escape the stewardship of our mother earth. Dark thoughts for a stormy night. But I love your flash! Go, Greta. Menstruation.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
2/12/2021 06:42:18 pm

I actually had the same experience looking up flying penis as it was my husband who told me that was what they were calling it on social media (which he doesn't use).
As to Martin, I should mention I'm in a critique group with the author but had only seen the opening in advance of publication. As it features some Native Americans, I suspect you could love it or hate it depending on how well he's represented them (which I'm in no position to judge).

Reply



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    Annecdotist is the blogging persona of Anne Goodwin: 
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    slug-slayer, tramper of moors, 
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    struggling soprano, 
    author of three fiction books.

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