Customer Reviews

Random Realities

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came away from reading this collection of ten short stories feeling as if I'd been sampling from the best box of assorted chocolates I'd ever been given; all chocolate raspberry fudges and no horrible bright pink coconut nougats amongst the lot. The stories are varied in style and genre, yet each of them are uniquely the writer's own; she's got quite an impressive range.

I don't want to give details away--because where's the fun in ruining it for prospective readers?--but I was deeply moved by my favourite, "The Quiet Sound of Bees"; thoroughly enjoyed "Lost in Whitby"; reveled in the dark lushness of "Tides"; and felt deeply disturbed (in the best possible way) by "Star Quality". And oh, would I love to see certain people meet the same fate, re: "The Padre, The Rabbi and the Devil His Own Self"!

A definite recommendation from this camp.

Review by Jim Reader (Dorris' husband)
There are a lot of factors that go into making a good story, but in my humble opinion, 'voice' is one of the most important. If there is no distinctive voice in the writing, if it comes across as generic prose that any decent wordsmith could've cranked out, then I don't think it can ever rate above 'okay'.
I don't give five stars to 'okay'.
Melanie, as an author and a person, has a very distinctive voice and it's in fine fettle and grandly on display in this collection. In these ten stories Melanie proves she can write any genre she puts her mind to and gracefully bring forth whatever emotional response she wants from the reader.
Damn, I wish I'd written these stories. Every one is a treasure and I hope to see another collection from her soon.

The short story is an art form, and it's rare to find someone who has mastered it across genres, but Melanie Fletcher is definitely one such writer. Her book, Random Realities delivers thirteen little gems in a delightful read that range from wickedly funny revenge to bittersweet subtlety and everything in-between.

I particularly enjoyed the psychological chills in `All on a Summer's Day', a look deep into the mind of a famous neglected wife, while the sweet melancholy of `The Quiet Sound of Bees' had me reaching for the Kleenex as I sniffled. Truthfully, none of these stories should be skipped. Ms Fletcher is a gifted writer and I keenly look forward to the next offering from her.

You should be too--trust me on this!

The variety of genres and voices in this collection of short stories makes this a highly entertaining read. The author proves she has a unique talent and is well-suited to write in a variety of styles. She is as comfortable with witty dialogue as she is with thought-provoking prose. A superbly enjoyable collection not to be missed!

Random Realities is by far one of the best short story collections I have ever read. To sum up Melanie's writing and stories in one word - Powerful!

It's hard enough to write. It's even harder to write short stories. But, when someone comes along with a book where not only is every story enjoyable, but each and every one of them makes you feel? Yeah, you sit up and take notice. Laughter, tears, suspense, heart-racing twists... all these and more are what I experienced while reading this book. Only one other author has consistently delivered emotions like these in their short stories, and that person is Stephen King. I hereby am declaring Melanie Fletcher QUEEN of the short story! It's a most deserved title.

The 10 stories in Random Realities are:
- Lost In Whitby - a story that takes place across the pond. With a building pace, the ending blasts you fast-forward with a twist and leaves you breathless.
- All On A Summer's Day - a wonderful, fanciful tale of a different side of Alice in Wonderland from a different point of view. And what's Alice in Wonderland without the Queen of Hearts and her famous line?
- Happily Ever After - one of the funniest Where Are They Now tales from classic Disney characters.
- Think Small - a sweet, enduring tale of a little girl and her new dollhouse. Or is it?
- It Take Brains To Run A Con - the shortest story in the book, but one that will have you in tears from laughter.
- The Padre, The Rabbi, And The Devil His Own Self - One of the creepiest, yet funny, tales I have read in quite a while. Mix religion, rednecks, and a tent revival and you get a rollicking good story.
- Tides - this is writing at its best! The imagery in this tale is far beyond what you would expect from a short story, let alone a novel. A beautiful twist to a most beautifully written story.
- Star Quality - old Hollywood meets future Hollywood in this suspenseful, erotic tale.
- The Quiet Sound Of Bees - make sure you have a box of tissues next to you before you read this story. Short, sweet, and will tug at the heartstrings of the most bitter, jaded, and cynical of people. I should know.
- Lusts Of The Cat Queen: a Dash Manning Adventure - this is space opera at its finest and funniest! Twists galore that will have you laughing with every turn.

As a short story enthusiast, it's rare, practically impossible it seems, to find a collection where I enjoy every story. I found that rare, almost impossible collection here. Melanie's writing is superbly tight, not one wasted, extra word anywhere in the book, unlike in this review. haha Do yourself the best favor you can and get this book. Read it. Then tell everyone you have ever met in your entire life to read it. They'll thank you and you'll thank yourself for reading such a rich, vibrant collection of stories and characters that will stay with you long after you've read them.

What do we want? More Melanie Fletcher books! When do we want them? Now! Here's looking forward to more from this fantastic writer!

I picked up Random Realities for my Kindle because Melanie Fletcher is a friend of mine, but oh, am I glad she is. This collection of stories runs the gamut from pastoral to parody, and every story is a gem.

From the first story, "Lost in Whitby" -- a tale of love lost, and found, and DIY -- to the haunting "All on a Summer's Day" to the space opera with a twist of "Lusts of the Cat Queen: a Dash Manning Adventure", I loved every minute of it.

My personal favorite was "Think Small" because of the deft hand that shows us the character growth in Emily as the story progresses.

Seldom does a book with stories ranging from fantasy to horror strike the perfect note in every genre. This one does. I highly recommend it.