4 out of 4 stars
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ILLUSTRATED SHORT-FICTION OF WILLIAM H COLES 2000-2016 is a treasury of thirty-three award-winning short stories, two graphic novels, and a novella. Each story has come alive with beautiful narration in different styles. It presents the stories of all genres in such a way that readers would get inspiration to read stories with anticipation.
‘Gift’, First story, tells about a mother who finds her teenage daughter pregnant. She sends her to a French convent for delivery hoping to give the baby away for adoption. The girl gave birth to a disabled child, and the Author brought out how the girl accepted the disabled child as the greatest gift of her life. ‘The Wreck of the Amtrak’s Silver Service Heinrick’ is a beautiful story where the climax is unpredictable. William H. Coles has proved his mettle in ‘The Amish Girl’ that he is no less a writer on love stories. The sentiments towards his troubled son by surgeon father are well depicted in the shortest story ‘Dilemma.’ This work establishes his talent in a short story writing.
The flow of events in a family where renowned Doctor facing the murder trial for his wife’s death revealing through his kids, has come out nicely in ‘Dr. Greiner’s Day in Court.’ A saga of a woman about her ex-fiancé on the deathbed and medical student daughter who is dating a man her father’s age crafted beautifully in ‘Grief. ‘ One can understand how love could lapse so irreversibly into grief. The novella, Sister Carrie is a real page-turner with a beautiful story. The stories have covered people from all walks of life. ‘The Activist’, the name given to the story does not match with the story line. After reading the book, the reader will feel astonished that the society, sentiments, family bondage and criminality are the same across the world.
An unwritten rule says use of too many double negatives will hamper creative writings. But I noticed following negatives one after the other in the story ‘Gatemouth Willie Brown on Guitar.’
“Don’t need no sidemen,” Willie say.
The dude sit down on the bench, no more than a couple feet away.
“Said I don’t need no help,” Willie say strong.
“No law against me sitting here.”
“You on my spot, my man. This my spot for a long time.”
Willie (a character in the story) is clear in his intent that he needs no help but using double negatives, the narrative of the story confuses a bit. Some say, it is normal usage for many Americans, even though “standard correct American English,” says it is incorrect. A sense of void is felt due to the placing of two graphic novels between the free-flowing stories and the novella.
I would recommend this book to people who like fictions. There is a variety of stories, each with a different plot.This book deserves top ratings. Accordingly, I rate 4 out of 4 stars.
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Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016
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