Reviews
Mr. David J. Enever
- Amazon.com
"First, a confession: the author of this work is known to me, at least virtually. We were once both members of a writers' forum, where an early version of this story got its first outing. It's much expanded since then, but it is a short story and one with the classic twist in the tail, or in this case two twists. As such, it's difficult to review the story in a way that doesn't give away the twists. However, those familiar with the writing of Surtsey Ana Krakatoa or other in the Hard Pressed stable, should know that this story has all the writer's hallmarks. It won't disappoint. If you are not familiar with Surtsey's work but enjoy short stories, well told, or if you are the sort of reader who likes to see if they can guess the twist, then again I'd recommend this."
Antisthenes - Amazon.com
"Sometimes, you come across stories that remind you there are some things only stories can do. With these two little tales Krakatoa/Scott illustrates the craft of writing through writing in as neat a manner as can be imagined. Skilled at throwing the reader, the author plays with and subverts paradigms so that “Blind Date “ – the story of an internet date where a woman decides to have her first meeting with her chosen beau in her own flat – elegantly fails to follow any of the trajectories that lesser writers might have set it upon: and “For One Night Only” – which takes the well-worn meme of the nervous and unfunny small-time comic and expertly post-modernises the hell out of it . . ."
"First, a confession: the author of this work is known to me, at least virtually. We were once both members of a writers' forum, where an early version of this story got its first outing. It's much expanded since then, but it is a short story and one with the classic twist in the tail, or in this case two twists. As such, it's difficult to review the story in a way that doesn't give away the twists. However, those familiar with the writing of Surtsey Ana Krakatoa or other in the Hard Pressed stable, should know that this story has all the writer's hallmarks. It won't disappoint. If you are not familiar with Surtsey's work but enjoy short stories, well told, or if you are the sort of reader who likes to see if they can guess the twist, then again I'd recommend this."
Antisthenes - Amazon.com
"Sometimes, you come across stories that remind you there are some things only stories can do. With these two little tales Krakatoa/Scott illustrates the craft of writing through writing in as neat a manner as can be imagined. Skilled at throwing the reader, the author plays with and subverts paradigms so that “Blind Date “ – the story of an internet date where a woman decides to have her first meeting with her chosen beau in her own flat – elegantly fails to follow any of the trajectories that lesser writers might have set it upon: and “For One Night Only” – which takes the well-worn meme of the nervous and unfunny small-time comic and expertly post-modernises the hell out of it . . ."
Digsblues - Amazon.co.uk
I first became aware of Surtsey Ana Krakatoa in 2013 when I read her novella “The Spoils of War”. I was introduced to her character Parminder Sherwani a 21 year old English student, whose very strict parents emigrated from Pakistan to give their children a better life. This novella is written almost completely in dialogue with little narrative. There are scenes of dubious consent, and a realistic and sensitive handling of the self doubt and ambivalence of a rape victim. I found the combination of style and story both fascinating and intriguing.
Searching out more of her work I found “The Best Years of Our Lives”, totally different subject matter and tone, an outrageously funny account of the rejects from a realty show similar to Jerry Springer. I laughed through page after page. "People Like us" offers nine Surtsey Ana stories in one volume. Even though I'd already purchased two, I took the opportunity to own seven more. I wasn't disappointed.
“Our Story” is a fresh, edgy and daring treatise about a husband’s grief after the passing of his wife. The author pushes societal boundaries by writing about the attachment between the man and his fifteen year old step daughter. I was pulled up short and had to reread to understand the nuances. “After Ever After” is a poignant look at a failed marriage, through dialogue between a father and his children. It’s very short, only ten pages, and my sympathy was with the wife who was never introduced.There's a pattern of disturbing propinquity in all these stories. Each one engages the reader in a visceral manner, because the reader has either gone through a similar experience or knows someone who has.
Some of the stories in this book deal with some pretty serious subject matters. I really enjoyed all of them but there were a handful that were real standouts to me (“Our Story” and “After Ever After” were my absolute favorites out of all of the short stories).
Just when I've decided this author relies heavily on the strength of her dialogue we are presented with “Compliments of the Season”, a very erotic encounter between strangers on a train. It's intense, and not a word is spoken.
I read hundreds of books a year and Surtsey Ana Krakatoa has become my favorite author. She’s confident in her craft and goes where other writers don’t dare. She can tell a great story in any genre. The attraction is her ability to write about "People Like Me"
I first became aware of Surtsey Ana Krakatoa in 2013 when I read her novella “The Spoils of War”. I was introduced to her character Parminder Sherwani a 21 year old English student, whose very strict parents emigrated from Pakistan to give their children a better life. This novella is written almost completely in dialogue with little narrative. There are scenes of dubious consent, and a realistic and sensitive handling of the self doubt and ambivalence of a rape victim. I found the combination of style and story both fascinating and intriguing.
Searching out more of her work I found “The Best Years of Our Lives”, totally different subject matter and tone, an outrageously funny account of the rejects from a realty show similar to Jerry Springer. I laughed through page after page. "People Like us" offers nine Surtsey Ana stories in one volume. Even though I'd already purchased two, I took the opportunity to own seven more. I wasn't disappointed.
“Our Story” is a fresh, edgy and daring treatise about a husband’s grief after the passing of his wife. The author pushes societal boundaries by writing about the attachment between the man and his fifteen year old step daughter. I was pulled up short and had to reread to understand the nuances. “After Ever After” is a poignant look at a failed marriage, through dialogue between a father and his children. It’s very short, only ten pages, and my sympathy was with the wife who was never introduced.There's a pattern of disturbing propinquity in all these stories. Each one engages the reader in a visceral manner, because the reader has either gone through a similar experience or knows someone who has.
Some of the stories in this book deal with some pretty serious subject matters. I really enjoyed all of them but there were a handful that were real standouts to me (“Our Story” and “After Ever After” were my absolute favorites out of all of the short stories).
Just when I've decided this author relies heavily on the strength of her dialogue we are presented with “Compliments of the Season”, a very erotic encounter between strangers on a train. It's intense, and not a word is spoken.
I read hundreds of books a year and Surtsey Ana Krakatoa has become my favorite author. She’s confident in her craft and goes where other writers don’t dare. She can tell a great story in any genre. The attraction is her ability to write about "People Like Me"
Sandra Martinez
- Amazon.com
These authors have a very special style, that is effective in using different layers of communication. The way the story is told tell us more that what the words say per se. The characters are very interesting for lack of a better word. Riley has a long way to go in terms of healing, and London forces her to do just that. Of course she doesn't take it happily. The book is short and shows episodes of their lives along a year since they meet. Those episodes are enough to show the progression and let us know more about the characters. The end surprised me. A great read.
Einfeld - Published on Amazon.com
Carpe Diem, indeed. There are familiar themes in this story: perseverance, fortitude, compassion, hope. Jackie, the star athlete with legs now mangled such that "all the King's horses and all the King's men can't put them back together again", is damaged, but in far deeper ways than she's willing to admit. Marcin, 'London," is a godsend. Just, Jackie doesn't know it, yet. He's goofy, optimistic, and most importantly, her very formidable equal, in every way. The story revolves around two supremely stubborn people, with two opposing views on life. Without giving too much away, let's just say that if you're looking for a 'smart' read, one that may challenge your own agenda, this is the story for you.
Oh, and a word about the writing style, itself: this is something new. Most of the story is told in short, punchy dialog. There's very little straight prose in-between, yet the scenes leap off the page. Again, if you're a Lit-Nerd (like me), this short will really get you thinking.
Terry McDonald - Amazon.com The most heartwarming story in years. I read about this book on Amazon and had to check it out. Surtsey Ana Krakatoa and Michael D Scott, you have written a gem of a story. From the first line to the last your humanity shines through. I do love a twist ending and along with an exciting and engrossing love story, you provided a great one. Hats off to a wonderful achievement. Literature that lightens the heart is rare now-a-days.
These authors have a very special style, that is effective in using different layers of communication. The way the story is told tell us more that what the words say per se. The characters are very interesting for lack of a better word. Riley has a long way to go in terms of healing, and London forces her to do just that. Of course she doesn't take it happily. The book is short and shows episodes of their lives along a year since they meet. Those episodes are enough to show the progression and let us know more about the characters. The end surprised me. A great read.
Einfeld - Published on Amazon.com
Carpe Diem, indeed. There are familiar themes in this story: perseverance, fortitude, compassion, hope. Jackie, the star athlete with legs now mangled such that "all the King's horses and all the King's men can't put them back together again", is damaged, but in far deeper ways than she's willing to admit. Marcin, 'London," is a godsend. Just, Jackie doesn't know it, yet. He's goofy, optimistic, and most importantly, her very formidable equal, in every way. The story revolves around two supremely stubborn people, with two opposing views on life. Without giving too much away, let's just say that if you're looking for a 'smart' read, one that may challenge your own agenda, this is the story for you.
Oh, and a word about the writing style, itself: this is something new. Most of the story is told in short, punchy dialog. There's very little straight prose in-between, yet the scenes leap off the page. Again, if you're a Lit-Nerd (like me), this short will really get you thinking.
Terry McDonald - Amazon.com The most heartwarming story in years. I read about this book on Amazon and had to check it out. Surtsey Ana Krakatoa and Michael D Scott, you have written a gem of a story. From the first line to the last your humanity shines through. I do love a twist ending and along with an exciting and engrossing love story, you provided a great one. Hats off to a wonderful achievement. Literature that lightens the heart is rare now-a-days.
Ratman87
"I started reading this and kept wanting to put it down as I'm not naturally comfortable with the subject matter. Reading the first half was like trying to look away from a train wreck you know is going to happen. You are hoping she's not stupid enough to invite him in but you know she will because it says so in the synopsis. I forced myself to read on.
I'm an avid reader but I've yet to come across anything written in a similar style. It's definitely fresh. The virtual absence of narrative gives you the sense of reading a play, but there's something more that I can't quite put my finger on. There's a sense of thriller about the story as you never can predict where it is going.
Overall I was very impressed. Impressed to the extent that I've bought Surtsey's other book."
Spinster
"This is a great novella. I was a bit concerned at first about how the author would deal with some very hefty themes in such a short book but she's done it brilliantly. The rape was very sensitively handled, I don't think I've read a better account of how these things actually happen and the self doubt and ambivalence of the victim. The way events escalated and became entangled with race issues was both terrifying and believable.
This would make an excellent TV drama."
Lauren Douglas
"I was unfamiliar with this author, but this novella was recommended to me by a friend. It was a great recommendation - the author manages to pack a lot of action and detail into a relatively short story. The writing style and dialogue is fresh, contemporary and realistic, without being annoyingly 'trendy'. I was hooked by the characters and their story immediately and was genuinely disappointed when I reached the end of the book - not by the resolution, simply because it was over! Satisfying, convincing and thought-provoking - I'd love to see a sequel (perhaps a prequel?? - I'd love to know more about the characters backgrounds) - and will certainly be seeking out more work from this author.
Agree that this could make an exceptional screenplay, given the right treatment."
Digsblues
"Parminder Sherwani is a 21 year old student, living in Bradford, England with her best friend, Rosie. She is enjoying life away from her strict but doting parents who came from Pakistan to give their children a better life and a good education.
She likes to study at a local dive bar where there is free Wifi. She has her electronics spread out on a table is talking to them, when in walks Jack Shaw, a soldier returning from 5 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is immediately attracted to her beauty and outspokenness. He wines and dines her, and goes back to her flat. What happens next changes everyone's life.
This book was written almost entirely in dialogue. Everything we know about the story and protagonists comes from each one's dialogue. We see Parminder through her own words, those of her beloved but annoying brother, her best friend, the barkeep, and her very traditional parents. It's a very different way to write a book, and reminded me of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."
In the end, I identified completely with Parminder, even though she is an English Paki, and should be very different from me. That's one of the most satisfying things about the book. I hope there will be more to her story in the future.
Highly recommended."
Cphe
"This is a hard hitting story in some ways it's a grim story but there is also a positive aspect involved as well. There is a more than adequate synopsis already available so no point in rehashing.
I appreciated the themes that the author tried to address in this novella, racial stereotyping, the effects of war, the aftermath of rape, community and family ties and more.
For the length of the novella the author was able to portray an awful lot. It's written in a sparse no nonsense style, there is minimal embellishment.
I would have enjoyed to know more about the riots and Jack, Parminder and Rosie. I also wanted to know who Jack's secretive protector was . . ."
S. Pearson
"An impressive novella; the prose flows well and my interest never flagged. For me it was a short but very enjoyable story told with realism and honest."
"I started reading this and kept wanting to put it down as I'm not naturally comfortable with the subject matter. Reading the first half was like trying to look away from a train wreck you know is going to happen. You are hoping she's not stupid enough to invite him in but you know she will because it says so in the synopsis. I forced myself to read on.
I'm an avid reader but I've yet to come across anything written in a similar style. It's definitely fresh. The virtual absence of narrative gives you the sense of reading a play, but there's something more that I can't quite put my finger on. There's a sense of thriller about the story as you never can predict where it is going.
Overall I was very impressed. Impressed to the extent that I've bought Surtsey's other book."
Spinster
"This is a great novella. I was a bit concerned at first about how the author would deal with some very hefty themes in such a short book but she's done it brilliantly. The rape was very sensitively handled, I don't think I've read a better account of how these things actually happen and the self doubt and ambivalence of the victim. The way events escalated and became entangled with race issues was both terrifying and believable.
This would make an excellent TV drama."
Lauren Douglas
"I was unfamiliar with this author, but this novella was recommended to me by a friend. It was a great recommendation - the author manages to pack a lot of action and detail into a relatively short story. The writing style and dialogue is fresh, contemporary and realistic, without being annoyingly 'trendy'. I was hooked by the characters and their story immediately and was genuinely disappointed when I reached the end of the book - not by the resolution, simply because it was over! Satisfying, convincing and thought-provoking - I'd love to see a sequel (perhaps a prequel?? - I'd love to know more about the characters backgrounds) - and will certainly be seeking out more work from this author.
Agree that this could make an exceptional screenplay, given the right treatment."
Digsblues
"Parminder Sherwani is a 21 year old student, living in Bradford, England with her best friend, Rosie. She is enjoying life away from her strict but doting parents who came from Pakistan to give their children a better life and a good education.
She likes to study at a local dive bar where there is free Wifi. She has her electronics spread out on a table is talking to them, when in walks Jack Shaw, a soldier returning from 5 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is immediately attracted to her beauty and outspokenness. He wines and dines her, and goes back to her flat. What happens next changes everyone's life.
This book was written almost entirely in dialogue. Everything we know about the story and protagonists comes from each one's dialogue. We see Parminder through her own words, those of her beloved but annoying brother, her best friend, the barkeep, and her very traditional parents. It's a very different way to write a book, and reminded me of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."
In the end, I identified completely with Parminder, even though she is an English Paki, and should be very different from me. That's one of the most satisfying things about the book. I hope there will be more to her story in the future.
Highly recommended."
Cphe
"This is a hard hitting story in some ways it's a grim story but there is also a positive aspect involved as well. There is a more than adequate synopsis already available so no point in rehashing.
I appreciated the themes that the author tried to address in this novella, racial stereotyping, the effects of war, the aftermath of rape, community and family ties and more.
For the length of the novella the author was able to portray an awful lot. It's written in a sparse no nonsense style, there is minimal embellishment.
I would have enjoyed to know more about the riots and Jack, Parminder and Rosie. I also wanted to know who Jack's secretive protector was . . ."
S. Pearson
"An impressive novella; the prose flows well and my interest never flagged. For me it was a short but very enjoyable story told with realism and honest."