Review of The Glass Gift and Other Stories
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Carol McCoy Phelps
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Review of The Glass Gift and Other Stories
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Glass Gift and Other Stories" by Lloyd Lim.]
Lloyd Lim’s edgy book, The Glass Gift and Other Stories, consists of eighteen short stories and four poems. Cops and robbers, ghosts, senior citizens, and lovers weave in and out of Lim’s narratives, gliding smoothly across slices of life rather than anchoring themselves to fully developed plots. Fifteen new stories and three edited versions share common elements such as vivid storytelling, complicated relationships, and bizarre conflicts.
In “The Glass Gift,” the main character purchases a delicate ornament that mesmerizes him. While he finds it beautiful and fascinating, not everyone shares his sentiment. His nephew accepts it quietly and begrudgingly as a wedding gift. It unexpectedly brings a dilemma. In the eerie story “Wakey-Wakey,” Charles visits a funeral home. He feels unsettled by the small number of attendees sitting quietly. As he stands in line to view the corpse, he wonders why no one is speaking about the deceased’s life. Upon leaving the funeral home, Charles realizes he no longer wishes to discuss it himself.
In “Escapee,” Phyllis makes a daring run from the nursing home, causing panic among the staff. They send an alert and call Lucy, her daughter. In Phyllis’s mind, she feels free, running like the wind and evading her would-be captors. Is this escape a mere coincidence, or can Phyllis be the gun-wielding granny rumored to be involved in a string of armed robberies?
With a mix of conflicts and a touch of dark humor, this collection blends fantasy with grotesque elements, offering thought-provoking tales about connections between people, creatures, and the supernatural. While I enjoyed the stories and poems, the introduction was my favorite part of the book.
Lim’s introduction particularly stands out because he presents five valuable tips for aspiring writers. He references well-known books, such as The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. In his final remarks, Lim states that the goal of this book is to highlight his improvement compared to his first two collections of short stories.
I didn't find anything about this book to dislike. There are a couple of minor errors, but not enough to detract from the overall rating of the book. I recommend this book to adults and older teens because the language and subject matter are appropriate for mature audiences. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its engaging stories and helpful introduction.
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The Glass Gift and Other Stories
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Lloyd Lim’s edgy book, The Glass Gift and Other Stories, consists of eighteen short stories and four poems. Cops and robbers, ghosts, senior citizens, and lovers weave in and out of Lim’s narratives, gliding smoothly across slices of life rather than anchoring themselves to fully developed plots. Fifteen new stories and three edited versions share common elements such as vivid storytelling, complicated relationships, and bizarre conflicts.
In “The Glass Gift,” the main character purchases a delicate ornament that mesmerizes him. While he finds it beautiful and fascinating, not everyone shares his sentiment. His nephew accepts it quietly and begrudgingly as a wedding gift. It unexpectedly brings a dilemma. In the eerie story “Wakey-Wakey,” Charles visits a funeral home. He feels unsettled by the small number of attendees sitting quietly. As he stands in line to view the corpse, he wonders why no one is speaking about the deceased’s life. Upon leaving the funeral home, Charles realizes he no longer wishes to discuss it himself.
In “Escapee,” Phyllis makes a daring run from the nursing home, causing panic among the staff. They send an alert and call Lucy, her daughter. In Phyllis’s mind, she feels free, running like the wind and evading her would-be captors. Is this escape a mere coincidence, or can Phyllis be the gun-wielding granny rumored to be involved in a string of armed robberies?
With a mix of conflicts and a touch of dark humor, this collection blends fantasy with grotesque elements, offering thought-provoking tales about connections between people, creatures, and the supernatural. While I enjoyed the stories and poems, the introduction was my favorite part of the book.
Lim’s introduction particularly stands out because he presents five valuable tips for aspiring writers. He references well-known books, such as The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. In his final remarks, Lim states that the goal of this book is to highlight his improvement compared to his first two collections of short stories.
I didn't find anything about this book to dislike. There are a couple of minor errors, but not enough to detract from the overall rating of the book. I recommend this book to adults and older teens because the language and subject matter are appropriate for mature audiences. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its engaging stories and helpful introduction.
******
The Glass Gift and Other Stories
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
J. Carol McCoy-Phelps
