Customer Reviews

Absalom's Mother and Other Stories

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked this collection, but I was disappointed that I didn't love it. I was blown away by author Louise Marley in her books "Terrorist of Irustan" and "The Child Goddess"; mildly impressed by "Maquisarde" and "Glass Harmonica."

The stories in "Absalom's Mother" veer back and forth between the two categories. The title story (in which a group of ordinary women go to heroic lengths to save their children from a cruel military draft), "Diamond Girls" (in which the first two women ever to play major league baseball face each other and their detractors), "Jamie Says" (the heartbreaking tale of a boy living in a community with no women), and "Gathering Genius" (in which a musical prodigy learns that her fears and her gifts are inexplicably tied to mysterious memories not her own) are examples of how Marley at her best uses a strong and believable science fiction framework to craft brilliantly controversial and biting social commentary. Each of these stories is designed not just to entertain, but to make us wonder and to make us think about ourselves and our world. They are powerful, thought-provoking, and yes, well-written and enjoyable stories, just the kind of writing I have always admired in Marley.

Unfortunately, the remaining stories are a decidedly mixed bag. "Small in the Saddle" and "Starchild Wondersmith" would make good YA fiction, but just feel out of place in this more mature collection. The story of a medical professional squaring off against Death has been done before, many times, and didn't need to be repeated in "Night Shift." "Body and Blood" started brilliantly, but just fizzled away at the end. And there was nothing particularly wrong with "p dolce" and "Deep River," but there was nothing exciting or provocative about them, either.

All in all, though, I enjoyed this anthology. There are stories I will read again and again, for the pleasure and insights they give me. While I would have liked to see more consistency, I will settle for the flashes of brilliance to be found in "Absalom's Mother."

I have been reading Louise Marley's books from the beginning of her career as a writer and have enjoyed all of them, however, I was really blown away by this compilation of 'short stories'. They say that the 'short story' is difficult to master but Ms Marley does a fanstastic job. It's all there...the intrigue, the character building, the sensitivity, the interesting story line. I could not put this book down!! And every story is different. If you read it, you won't be disappointed!

Judy Campbell
Newport, Wa

Each story in this collection is a gem. The stories inspire or amuse as the characters capture the imagination. It is a wonderful collection and will invite reading again and again. This is one of Louise Marleys best.