Author: Eleanor Bluestein
Genre: Short Story Collection
Published: Tea & Other Ayama Na Tales, 2008
Personal Rating: 3.75/5
(ss) Yearly Count: 15
There are ten short stories in this collection, and they all are set in Ayama Na, which is a fictional country in South East Asia. In this first story, a brother and sister need to make arrangements for their ailing father.
I have had a difficult time rating this first of ten. This is one of those stories that the more I think about it, the more I appreciate (like) it. It's difficult for me to express that I "liked it", because of the story's content. I can say that I've been ruminating on it, for sure. So #1 has made me very eager to explore more of the country and its people in story #2.
Joy I give you all the credit in the world for reading all the short stories. Are you up to 15 individual stories or 15 collections? I could do maybe two collections a year but no more. I am just not a fan. Why are so many so depressing? Maybe I'm just reading the wrong ones... I'll do one more this year, the Elizabeth Berg collection.
ReplyDeleteMary ~ I've only read 2 short story collections consisting of 15 individual stories, which is nothing, and I need to get moving! :) I think there's a challenge to read 100 through the year or something like that. This is the beginning of my 3rd collection and have many more on my shelves that I can't wait to get to. I discovered that I really liked ss a year ago. It makes perfect sense to me - I don't like chunksters very much at all. I'll read one every now and then, but I'm not a fan. I haven't run across too many that are depressing, but I have read many that make me think. This one was a little shocking, but with a real interesting twist at the end.
ReplyDeleteI just read a review of this book, and was left quite intrigued. I'll be interested to hear what you think about the rest of the stories. It sounds like a book I might really enjoy. Or not.
ReplyDeleteI'll be following along eager to hear what you think of these stories. The first few stories were rather slow for me, but like you said, the more I think the more I like.
ReplyDeleteDebi ~ My experience, thus far, is very positive. :) All the reviews I've seen on this collection have been positive as well. I actually want to move on to the next story, but I can't - I've got other commitments. However, I'm thankful that I'm enjoying those reads too. :)
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ My quick-to-review method isn't always a good idea. Sometimes it takes time for my mind and emotions to merge. :) However, I want to finish up before I move on, so it is what it is.
Maybe they were "slow" for you because you were getting acclimated to short stories, the country, the style, etc. Not necessarily "slow", but maybe getting warmed up. ??? Okay, so I may have just made that up for you, but that does happen on occasion for me. :)
Warmed up. Yes, I think you're right Joy! :) I did enjoy these stories, but it wasn't really until I got to Skin Deep (#4) that I was thinking about the book more and more.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ I'm looking forward to more. :)
ReplyDelete