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Attention Span - Pauline Wiles



Description

Revenge, rejection, resilience and revival: they’re all represented in this collection of fourteen short stories from author Pauline Wiles.
Ranging in length from just 99 words to long-enough-for-a-second-cup-of-tea, these stories feature locations from Switzerland to Seattle and the popular fictional English village of Saffron Sweeting in between. Some are light, several are quirky and one or two a little on the darker side. They explore the meaning of family, the search for true love, and the overwhelming importance of home.

Review

What a fabulous selection of short stories this is. I love Pauline's writing as she is able to capture the most mundane and everyday occurrences that has you thinking - yes! that's exactly what happens. Such as when Becky has the thin plastic handles cut into her fingers from the groceries she's carrying. 

Some stories are very short - just a page. Unlike some short stories where you turn that last page and are left wondering - "what just happened" or "is that it!" These stories have a satisfying ending and feel complete, with more depth than short stories usually have.

Two quirky stories are "On the Shelf" - the lives of items on a charity shop shelf and "Attention Span - the Facebook feed that comes to life. I just loved both of these for the unusual subject matter. Then there is the "Checking In" story another absolute gem. 

Do you know what an IFB is? You really need to find out by reading "Seating for Singles"!

I usually reserve short stories for reading in between other books. However I got so hooked on these that I read the last half all at once.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks to Pauline for my copy to review.

The last story is actually the beginning of  a full length novel by Pauline called "Saving Saffron Sweeting". You can read my review here for that book. This is also the first novel in a series the others being Sweet Pursuits and Secrets in the Sky. If you click the links you will go to my reviews of those books.


Books by Pauline Wiles

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  1. Pauline Wiles15 February 2018 at 16:51

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