I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Beautiful Indifference: Stories by Sarah Hall Published by Harper Perennial on January 29th 2013
Pages: 208
Genres: Collections & Anthologies
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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Winner of the Portico Prize
Winner of the Edge Hill University Short Story Prize
Short-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story AwardSarah Hall has been hailed as "one of the most significant and exciting of Britain's young novelists" (The Guardian). Now, in this collection of short fiction published in England to phenomenal praise, she has created a work at once provocative and mesmerizing.
‘A Beautiful Indifference’ is a collection of seven short stories that had been previously published in various forms and have been honored for awards on their own. The first story, ‘Butcher’s Perfume’ was shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award in 2010 and ‘Vuotjärvi’ was long-listed for the Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award in 2011.
I’ve only recently started reading short stories but I decided to pick this one up and was very pleased. Very raw and disconcerting stories with prose that really packs a punch and manages to leave your mind whirling. Each story is very allegorical. Lacking in a true, concrete conclusion and typically left open to interpretation, they all seem to have some deeper meaning that was unattainable for the most part for me. Despite this, these were some of the most gratifying short stories I have ever read. The writing was truly brilliant and left me always wanting more. Sarah Hall is definitely an author worth checking out.
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings
That is nice to hear that this contained some of the best short stores. I hate when you get books with just a few and the rest are mediocre and I am always up for gorgeous writing. Oh and I saw your WOW from the other day with the rose on the cover just went up on Edelweiss I think yesterday.
Rachel
Wow, the stories sound so eclectic. Short stories are hit an miss with me. I don’t really care for ones that have an ending that leaves things open for interpretation, though. Wonderful review Bonnie. 🙂
Leanne
Short stories are usually a hit or miss for me, too. I absolutely loved ones like The Paper Menagerie, Ponies, and The End of the Party. On the other hand, I’ve read short stories in YA anthologies that are really, truly awful. But this collection sounds wonderful, and I’m crushing on the title. 🙂 Excellent review, Bonnie!
Sam
Short stories don’t always make it on to my reading pile unless they are connected to a series or book I am a fan of. These sounds great though, and I’m glad you were impressed. Brilliant review, Bonnie!