Jigs & Reels: Stories (P.S.)
6 journalers for this copy...
The popular author of Chocolat (1999) and Five Quarters of the Orange (2001) is best known for her sensual descriptions of food and her pleasing portraits of small-town life in France. Fans who pick up this collection of 22 short stories will be surprised at the new directions Harris explores here. Very brief stories prefaced by one- or two-sentence explanations of their origins reveal Harris' tart take on working out at the gym ("not my favorite place") or cosmetic surgery. Others, more fantastical in nature, ponder what would happen if an author ended up in a room with the characters from manuscripts long left unfinished or the plight of a monster who lures victims by setting up elaborate role-playing games. Also included is an impassioned retelling of the Cinderella story from the ugly stepsister's viewpoint and a tale about a young wife who discovers that the recipes in her mother-in-law's treasured if musty cookbook often have unintended consequences. It's possible that staunch Harris fans will be put off by her dark and fanciful tales because they are so unlike her mainstream fiction. Some of the stories, as well, seem to be more tossed off than fleshed out. Still, these inventive, darkly humorous pieces might intrigue readers looking for something entirely different.
What a great collection of short stories!
From The Sunday Times (London) review: "Mischevious, sometimes surreal portraits of the ordinary madnes hidden in the mundane... Enchanting."
From The Sunday Times (London) review: "Mischevious, sometimes surreal portraits of the ordinary madnes hidden in the mundane... Enchanting."
Released to another BookCrosser as their choice to the General Literature VBB. Enjoy!
Selected out of bookstogive General Literature VBB. Thanks to Fracula for adding this and sending it to me!
Added to Gen Lit VBB
Enjoy!
Thanks for sending to me from Bookstogive's General Literature VBB! I loved Chocolat, so I think I will like this one too.
My Review: My favorite story was the first one about the two elderly ladies who "escape" from the nursing home to go on an adventure. It just goes to show that you should always dream big no matter your age or physical disability. Some of the stories were very dark and different from what I am used to from Joanne Harris.
Saved for a bookbox.
Saved for a bookbox.
This book is reserved for Round #2 of the Intl. Shrinking VBB Hosted by: Diane-Frasier.
Journal Entry 10 by JennyC1230 at another BookCrosser, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand on Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Released 9 yrs ago (3/17/2015 UTC) at another BookCrosser, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
If you have found this book, welcome to Bookcrossing and thank you for taking the time to let us know about its journey. Feel free to enjoy the book and pass it along to a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker, or simply leave it somewhere for another lucky reader to enjoy as you did! This book isn’t your type of read? No problem, don't feel obliged to read it, just be kind enough to help it on its journey. If you join, please use my name as your referring member: JennyC1230.
Sending to Leahjett from the Intl. Shrinking VBB Hosted by: Diane-Fraser. Enjoy the book!
Customs Form #LC350103125US
Sending to Leahjett from the Intl. Shrinking VBB Hosted by: Diane-Fraser. Enjoy the book!
Customs Form #LC350103125US
Yay its here I can't wait to read thank you so much!
I never ever liked short stories because I could never understand how a few pages could tell a story. I adored this book and wished that I could write as quirky as this! My two favourite stories would definitely be Free Spirit & A Place in the Sun.
You'll never tie me down. I'm a free spirit; I go wherever the wind takes me. Last night it was Paris, by the banks of the Seine. She'd been sleeping under a bridge; she was sixteen; dog-tired;beautiful. Tinfoil and spent needles littered the floor around her bed. I knew at once she was the one. Her long river coloured hair trailed across the greasy bricks; her eyes were closed. She made small, introspective sounds as I touched her; her skin mottled; her eyelids flickered. Sometimes she seemed ready to speak, but there was no need for words between us. We were already too close for that. Her fists clenched; she clawed the air; her neck and her pale arms blossomed. She was alight and lovely with fever.
Chills! I know exactly where this is going to go next. Thanks for giving me the chance to read this ;D
E
You'll never tie me down. I'm a free spirit; I go wherever the wind takes me. Last night it was Paris, by the banks of the Seine. She'd been sleeping under a bridge; she was sixteen; dog-tired;beautiful. Tinfoil and spent needles littered the floor around her bed. I knew at once she was the one. Her long river coloured hair trailed across the greasy bricks; her eyes were closed. She made small, introspective sounds as I touched her; her skin mottled; her eyelids flickered. Sometimes she seemed ready to speak, but there was no need for words between us. We were already too close for that. Her fists clenched; she clawed the air; her neck and her pale arms blossomed. She was alight and lovely with fever.
Chills! I know exactly where this is going to go next. Thanks for giving me the chance to read this ;D
E
Yes yes yes finally moving again! Off to France - safe travels little book. Bonne Chance!
Well received on my holidays place near Toulouse. Thanks Leah Jett.
Took it at our parisian monthly meet-up. I have no idea if I'll read it, but you never know.