As yet another selection from my bookshelf cleanout, I picked up Island by Alistair MacLeod. It’s a collection of short stories (not my typical thing to read) that completely blew me away.
From the Cover:
The sixteen exquisitely crafted stories in Island prove Alistair MacLeod to be a master. Quietly, precisely, he has created a body of work that is among the greatest to appear in English in the last fifty years.
What I Loved:
Island is gritty, somber, and muted. The stories are positively dripping with the tiny details of life, from the way a small boy remembers his father’s sweater to the grim details of a corpse found at sea. Many of the stories carry themes of death and family relationships. They revolve around occupations and how they form entire lives and even whole towns. Island is all about small towns, the love (and burden) of family, coming of age, leaving home, and returning.
There’s only one reason you’ll want to put this book down, and that is to write. It’s incredibly inspiring from a writer’s perspective, with stories that are poignant, moving, and excellently written.
“The Lost Salt Gift of Blood” was definitely one of my favorites.
What I Didn’t Love So Much:
As I’m sure you can guess, I have very little to say here! Sometimes the stories were a bit too heavy, but that’s part of what makes them so amazing.
Rating and Recommendation:
If you enjoy short stories, if you want to feel all the feels, or if you want to be inspired to improve your own writing game, then I highly recommend Island. 5 stars.
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Paradox, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will always give you my honest opinion on something before linking to it.
Ashley O'Melia, Author 