Tales of Ordinary Sadness

The Greatest Man who Never Lived - I thought it was great. I have always enjoyed the idea of a different future, but it is not often you see one where events in your lifetime have changed them (mostly) for the better. Very clever idea, well put and well written. I think there needs to be more literature that discusses the fall-out of the economic meltdown of the world.
Now to read the rest of the stories!

My standard disclaimer: This is just over the first chapter(As listed on Authonomy). I'm not an expert, so take everything with a grain of salt.

I enjoyed the plot. I felt like I was peeking right over Johnny's shoulder through the whole thing. I thought it was paced well. I think that Johnny was an enjoyable character that the readers will enjoy. I like the dialogue between Johnny and Katie at the very end, and you leave us with a nice ending. I didn't see anything in the way of grammar that would need fixing(again, no expert here). I'm giving you high stars for creativity of the piece and hope to see this do well. Good luck with it!

Best,

Ashley

I wanted to read "Butterfly" but it was locked for editing. So I dipped into this, because I love short stories.
Mmmmm. You remind me in many ways of Irvine Welsh, and you interest and - sorry to say it - infuriate me in the same way.
I've read the first two stories.
"Klingsor" - two main characters here, Deano and the narrator. I didn't get a clear picture of the narrator at all. Who is he, exactly? I certainly got a vivid picture of Deano, who is clearly quite a revolting person, but there's enough ambiguity to make him remain interesting. His "almost human" encouragement, followed by his slashing the boy's arm - that was a great touch. Likewise the rescue of his co-worker, and subsequent gruffness. Then - the rape. It ruined it for me, I'm sorry to say. Too obvious, almost shlocky - it spoiled the earlier subtlety of the piece.
"Darkness Reigns" - I don't know much about Japanese culture, but it seems a realistic scenario - the salaryman losing his job, losing face, being dishonoured. The idea of catching the same fish twice was great - wonderfully surreal and intriguing, worthy, may I say, of Haruki himself. When it started speaking - well, I wasn't sure, but okay, let's see where this takes us. But then he woke up and it was all a dream...
Your writing is generally well structured, with some strong imagery, and there are the seeds of very good stories here. So - sorry not to be totally onside, but I'm glad I read these, and I'm intrigued enough to want to read your novel.
Cheers
Mark

I then read Every Choice Implies Scorn on the Object Rejected.

My name is Ronald, what more can I say. The monosylabic Ron is not a name to be envied, not a name for fame. Some of us are not even cool enough to be Ronnies. And, to be frank (Oh to be Frank!) there are not many great Ronnie role models anyway ... Ronnie Reagan, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Kray, Ron Atkinson. The picture is clear. Ron Weasly gave some home when Harry Potter first came out, but, alas, the name did not trouble the compilers of The Times top 20 names list. Ronaldo the Brazilian striker gave a glimmer of hope, but he then became all frail and emotional, and then, horror of horrors, fat! Ronaldiho, the buck-teethed maestro of Barcelona was another flash in the pan. I positively walked taller following a News of the World headline saying 'Ron scores five a night' about said Barca genius's love making skills. Ach! But wait! Enter bad boy Christiano Ronaldo...and a zillion red top Ron headlines. Bliss! But for a northern English Ron to become a Ronaldo is impossible. And so... And so... And so... You can imagine my absolute bliss to read of a Ron who is almost, ach, so almost a hero. I so wanted him to shag Sylvie. I was soooooooo desperate for him to push the Chunk into the Seine and end up shaging a post-shag fag with the sweet-skinned Sylvie. But -- damn you -- it wasn't to be. I am sure you can imagine how my crest fell when I realised I was rubbing my back against some antipdean sheep-shagger. Time for me to refil my glass.

I finally came back. Apols for taking so long.
I read the LIGHTHOUSE first.
I enjoyed this immensely because of its gentle charm yet waspish sting. For a London commuter who has never been to Tokyo there was a sense of escapist otherness from the outset. And your writing style has a cherry blossom delicacy about it to match. And many a married man will have have some sympathy with Mr. Karuki's oppression, esp if they have suffered a bruising along their course through life. You capture Number 23's corporate servitude deftly. Most grey-suited salarymen the world over will recognise that 'social structure demanding compliances beyond that outlined in a contract or code of practice'. So the scene is perfectly set for the escape dream that is a universal for many, many millions. You offer hints and teases of what is to come. The fish is clearly very special, but we are still surprised by how special. But you have softened us up for the surprise. The hard pragmatism of the pool owner is also a supurb camauflage to what you have in mind for us. We believe you because the characters are convincing and your language paints realistic pictures. You have us. So when you spring your cunning trap -- you rascal! -- we bite, we are hooked, we want it to be true, becauee you have tapped into our common fantasy. We want it to be true. We want K to prove a winner. We imagine ourselfs and our wishes. The father-in-law makes the whole thing seem even more real. But then -- you devil! -- your aim is the sting, to point out that we are soooooo nasty that we don't deserve any of this to be so, we do not deserve the escape because we are not pure enough. Brilliant. My one and only criticism is that I don't think you need the very last two lines of the story. I think you pulled off a successful re-working of the old 'and then I woke and realised it was all a dream' theme with great skill.

I've just read Klingsor's First Summer. The narrative and characters are very convincing and the style excellent. The conclusion, of course, is hateful and unforgiving - wot larks ! One could wish that the commercial market for short stories about violent sodomy was bigger than it is. Really very god

Jim

Greetings, your story popped up on PITCH ME this evening reminding me that I have staunchly keep you on my watchlist having backed you early on during my time on this site. I think the first of your short stories in TALES OF... is brilliant and wld read on. But... I never heard back from you and confess I feel sorely neglected. I am not an agent or a publisher and so am of no real use to you, still... Hey ho. The world spins on.

" The heart sunk stone-like to the bottom of the knowhere lake ." Its like a lesson in literature and emotions all emphasised in a recherche of explosive writing. You really can write NA Randell, and I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that. But there's something about your work, it almost needs no words. But while other's prosper in the popular chase of chance, you choose to stay true and brave, bringing us writing that will last forever. Good luck and best wishes. This is a splendid piece of writing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Your title and pitch are seductive. A compulsive collection of stories written with honesty and perception and an original (and often delightfully irreverent) use of language.

‘The face flushed a whiter shade of dove feather, ‘

‘I was in a bar pretending to smoke a cigarette with all the throwaway cool of a defecating Labrador,’

I love the way you draw us in, weaving thoughts and story …..

‘But after a while I realised – whether right or wrongly - that it was something I’ll always have. Something I can always recall - that feeling in the pit of my stomach, that delicious terror. And in a way inaction is preemptive of disaster. What remained
was better than the reality because the possibility wasn’t completely vanquished. It could’ve happened. I hadn’t been rejected.’

And the whole of the paragraph beginning

‘Jackson Five’s aside, the whole episode was important, defining, because ultimately when I looked into her eyes I saw my own. It also proves we were both sincere in not accepting each other as that anyone just to have someone. How many people jump at the first chance of a relationship, marriage even, just to avoid being alone? The world is full of loveless relationships, miserable couples making each other’s lives even more miserable.’

and how, with the barest intake of breath, that leads seamlessly on to another Jackson Five.

If it wasn’t for your Balzac quote I would tell you that Chapters 4 and 9 are my favourites. I see, though, that you have already had stuff published and maybe you don’t need this anymore. But as I’m here solely to read what I like, books I would have on my shelf at home, I’m backing this anyway.

Amazing story-telling. The little details paint such a clear picture in the reader's mind. Definitely backed. Best of luck!

Brilliant storytelling! Backed with pleasure. Katherine - The Quizzical Wizards of Id.

Haruki's passage in Chpt2 is powerful, moving and resonates with truth. On the basis of the first 2 chapters I'm backing this.

sparse and precise prose,

backed

Rob

GET LENIN

To NA Randall (Tales of Ordinary Sadness)

Read your first two and would be very keen to read some more - time seems to be my biggest problem. I
like what I've read so far and would wish you all the best in your writing career. I'm BACKING your book and have a space for it on my bookshelf.

Frank James (The Contractor)

Backed Tales of Ordinary. What we’ve read is quite amusing. We could all relate to picking potatoes. Nice description and imagery. Backed! Best Wishes.
CC Brown
Dark Side

NA Randal,
You are a storyteller. Your prose flows, and full of wit between the realism. The dialogue is true to life, though a little gritty, quite realistic too.

BACKED

I would be pleased if you could take a look at God of the Cocoa. Comments would be appreciated, and if you think it deserves it, please back it. Thanks

Marilyn

ok?

i read the first story

as someone who has done his fair share of potato picking and other menial jobs I recognise the people and the setting. you're on to a good thing here, so far so good, but all i can say - even knowing that these are shorts - SLOW DOWN! Enjoy the story telling, relax and flesh it out and we as readers will appreciate it more..

backed as i think we're kindred spirits of the undergrowth..

sebastian (AUTOSTOP)

We are animals. Deano is a supurb animal, perfectly equipped to survive in chaos. He is without much care, intellect or emotion. Yet he is physically competent in some ways. Maybe he's be a corpral, were he in the army. Lesser men might admire him and want to be like him, or fear him. But to show him fear ia a bad idea as he is a dominant animal who stives to win and enjoys humiliating his foes. Does nature care that others are injured by him? No. I read the reviews before I read your story to see if they were right and they were, but they were imperfect in that they do not reflect the beauty of this piece which is in the truth you capture of how we are. We are animals. Deano is a supurb animal... The master stroke is 'he licked my cheek'. This is disturbing in that it is hard to imagine it being imagined. Also it is an act of arch intimacy with a defeated foe which denotes the totality of the victors triumph. And to think, he and his like are out there now...and always will be. He is the brute in us all.

Well imagined, true-to-life storytelling. Gritty. Powerful. Thought provoking. Fabulous attention to detail. Vivid, believable characters with tense relationships. Compelling dialogue. Well-crafted wonders. Backed.

Klingsor's First Summer

I'd start with your second sentence and drop the first. Nice tight story.
Well written. Will read more.
Backed.

A zoomer
Going Out in Style

Great descriptive qualities, and the images you conjure up are excellent. Backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

I have happily backed your book. Your narrative gives the reader the impression of being in the mind of the characters of your story, the voice is gritty and strong. Great Job!
Jon

I read your first two stories... the first is disturbing yet powerful and I thoroughly enjoyed your take on the 'three wishes' tale... I envy your ability of writing shorts... Its something I have never been able to master. Backed.
Jennifer
-A Matter Of Conscience-

Tales of Ordinary Sadness,

Bullying, drugs, rape, rock'n'roll...hey, NA Randall, that's my book. Add a little tenderness to your Sid Vicious?

Backed and best.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

You really get straight to the point. Yoiu capture the reader. Sounds like the style of Steven King. I like a lot of his work. Well done and well written. Gordon, The Harpist of Madird

"Klingsor's First Summer" is a gritty and disturbing story. You paint a bleak and dark picture of working men. Your use of the first person narrative voice allows you to convey your MC's feelings, thoughts, observations and pain. The rape scene at the end is as intense as it is disturbing. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

What a pleasure it is to encounter a fellow short-story writer.The genre, it seems, is out of fashion and I understand book publishers will not look at them. This is sad. Without them we night never have had Maupassant, Tchekov, Maugham, Poe, even James Joyce, not to mention the Decameron, the Arabian Nights, et al. I once submitted a short story to a local literary festival competition. Announcing the result, the adjudicator expressed the view that all short stories should have a twist at the end. I didn't bother the next year.
Your stories are brilliant, well written and relating difficult subjects with courage. I am happy to back them. Your first story had a particular resonance for me as I served in the Merchant Navy as a teenager and had to fight off the predators. Fortunately, in my case I won.
I have looked at the first chapter of your novel and found it equally impressive, but would like to read more before commenting.
Leslie Rocker, Adam's Apple and Tiger's Heart.

This is not my usual genre...but your style is impressive. Great descriptive writing. Best wishes. Julia x

hullo NL. you have indeed compiled an assortment of stories dealing with topics often shunned in the literary world. very good. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

A collection of sharp, well engineered and masterful stories. You have a storytelling gift and a talent that deserves recognition
Jane

This is not the kind of a story I usually read, but I enjoyed yours.
You got a great voice…keep it up. You got my backing.
If you got a moment maybe you could look up my book, TO KILL A DEAD MAN

This is good stuff! Going to shelve u! Angi 40..already??!!

I really like your opening description of Deano and your writing style.

Your work has a very solid feel to it. Making me feel even more thankful for the generous remarks you made about mine. Your use of the enss is not obvious but it provides a solid foundation for the narrative. I don't knw about saying Deano looked retarded and then following that with subhuman. I think I know what you're meaning but whew! the grie you could get for that.
I enjoyed your story and wish you uck with it. I'll b back o see hat else I can learn from t.

See you at the ED.

Sincerely,

Will
P.S. Your kind remarks obviously made t through but for some reason the site failed to register your backng. Perhaps you could try it again. Thanks, Will. Who Got the Meat Came Off Them Bones.

Are there no end to your talents? I read both your books' first few stories and I have to say - YOU ARE TALENTED! Backed!

Liz
The Cheech Room

This is a most unusual book. I enjoyed the short amount I have read and am backing it with pleasure. I hope as and when time allows to get back and read more.

Best of luck with it.

Rosemary (Ziggy Chalan) [RIDING HIGH]

You are a gifted writer and I see no reason why this should not land squarely on the Ed's desk...what a pity there is so much of a bottleneck, most of it crammed with some very dubious material. I wish you the very best with this
Stewart

I have enjoyed what I have read so far of both Red Sky in the Morning and (to my surprise) Tales of Ordinary Sadness. Both are well written and well constructed and deserve every success. The only slight criticism I have is that the pitch for Tales of Ordinary Sadness is not too forthcoming but I can quite see that something more expansive might be difficult to construct.

Best wishes. Philip John (Dead Reckoning/The Ambassador's Last Post)

It isn't easy to be vulnerable and put one's emotions on display. You've done a nice job with your stories in that regard. BACKED -Elizabeth Wolfe (Memories of Glory)

Thanks so much for your comments and giving me some time on your shelf! It's much appreciated.

I've backed Tales of Ordinary Sadness since I love its vividness and depth of characterisation. I love the titles of your stories - they really add something special. The last line of Darkness Reigns at the Foot of the Lighthouse is immense. I love writing that has some poetry in it.

I'm not familiar with Ivan Klima and will certainly investigate - thanks for the recommendation. And yes, your suggestion about my first line is a good one - I hadn't thought of that!

I hope to read more of your stories later - and I'm sure they'll continue to do well.

Thanks again,
Chelsea

I read the first story and was appropriately shocked. Your writing is striking, powerful, sensitive to nuance and clear. Well done.
Lee Ann
Slightly Dented Halos

The tales are delicious. (Exception is the first one) The most impressive aspect is the message, besides suspense. For instance, the lost lost wish; what he lost was a chance to be happy and gentle atleast in the dream. Fantastic. Hats off. Backed.
TMN
"NEVER LOSE..."

Impressive stuff...rare to come across work of this calibre. Best wishes
Stewart

NA, The premise is strong; the pace is steady and characterizations compelling. great storytelling
Best wishes
Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

Like being sentenced to experience something said in evidence. So authentically graphic it can only have come from experience. Some of the boldest writing I have ever experienced. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

I found this a gripping gritty read, and was not disappointed with anything, the sharp economical prose, the strong dialogue, I was surprised at the ending, I thought I had worked it out but hadn't, it built up into a climax steadily, with one element of hope dashed after another, keeping me reading, anxious to know what was going to happen. It was obvioulsy written with passion and knowledge.
Very happily backed
Christina
From Under the bed

The first story is particularly disturbing, but your writing is tight and well-controlled. Don't think I would classify this for a universal audience based on the language, but based on your beginning, you definitely deserve a wide adult audience. Backed. J and B, The Long Black Veil

Certainly an eclectic collection of stories. I found the first disturbing, of course. I have a personal bias against stuff like this, just don't see the point I guess, in documenting violence of this sort. So I skimmed it and would say that the writing is sound. But then, wow, your second and third stories. These could be written by three different writers--they are so utterly unique, one from the other, in technique and theme, in everything that I can see. Love the second piece, reminds me of a Kurasawa movie in its folkloric style, almost a modern morality tale with a bit of magical realism. Dynamically written, full of vivid detail and human universal truths. Then the third story, sort of a riff on the 60s, on identity and experience. Hmmm. Interesting, both of these. Not sure how you'll ever market this as a collection. I'm sure you have a cohesiveness in mind, as stated in your pitch. But in reading three stories, I just don't see it. Perhaps I'll return another time to look at some more! Great writing, intriguing.
---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

Backed
Splinker
B.D.S.T.

Chap 1 is disturbing. You paint a vivid picture of the gang master's control over these poor unfortunates. Or are they? I would have welcomed more info on where they came from and which country they were working in. It is strong stuff and is on my shelf, Anne

enjoyed klingsor`s first summer, backed

alison