Book Jacket

 

rank 3120
word count 14343
date submitted 23.07.2010
date updated 12.06.2011
genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fantasy,...
classification: universal
incomplete

Beyond the Shadows: Five Short Stories to Tell

Rome

A collection of five riveting short stories touching on the mystical, the inspirational and sometimes laced with a little trip to the dark side.

 

Mary Percy can see nothing that will change her mother from mending her ways. Her father’s death had resulted in unhappy results for all three of them. When her mother drowns her troubles with drinks, Mary hardens herself to maintain sanity at all costs. She decides to celebrate her father’s life and memory by capturing the poetry that he wrote so intensely atop a cliff close to home. But when she meets Brad, Mary unravels the most unbecoming truth about her father, about the strange nature of life itself and the reason why betrayals sometimes leads to truth in the most unequivocal way.


When Morning Comes studies the mental agony of a sick, old woman as she reflects on her unrewarded life and relationships while in the hospital. From the very beginning, the reader is curiously immersed in the old woman’s preoccupation with the noisy, old fan and then plods on to discover the emotional discords that befall the old woman as she reflects upon life and the family she loves. The story ends in the strangest way back to the old fan which promulgated the old woman’s concern at the very beginning of the story.

 
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tags

dark side, horror, inspirational, literary fiction, mystical stories, short stories, supernatural, unknown

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11 comments

 

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Anthony Brady wrote 648 days ago

"The Many Reasons Why." could be a possible title for this untitled short story. The descent of, a once fine woman to dereliction, through alcohol abuse is graphically described and the antithesis of her daughter's pleas to reform equally counterpoised. The flashback technique to Mary's better days and the emotional tension is economically controlled. The final scene is captivating and poetic and comes a resolving close like music. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

Elizabeth Wolfe wrote 654 days ago

Dear Rome,
Your writing style is fluid and descriptive. I think the dialog is really good - moves the story along in a direct way. Well done!

BACKED
Elizabeth Wolfe (MEMORIES OF GLORY)

Please excuse the following message if I’ve already sent it to you. Sometimes I get confused! Thanks.

Here is your chance to get a double backing. My friend, homewriter, and I have similar taste in writing and trust each other's judgment. Back my book and leave it on your bookshelf. Then do the same for his, "The Harpist of Madrid." Once the backings register, he will give you a return backing guaranteed. Just let him know in an email that you've backed my book as well as his. You might have to be a bit patient as we're 6 time zones apart. But you'll have two backings guaranteed on your excellent book. Of course, comments are always welcome too!

Inky36 wrote 654 days ago

Hello Rome,
I'm so sorry for the delayed return read. I must say that I enjoyed your first chapter very much. You delve into the world of grief only too well. The thoughts of Mary are very touching and very realistic. It brought back some of the thoughts and feelings that I had too when I lost my own father a few years ago, so I could really connect with this, as will anyone who has lost someone very close to their hearts. I could also understand the mother's pain too of loosing her husband as I have seen my own mother's grief, although not with the aid of a bottle, but I guess some do turn to alcohol when a loved one passes over.
The part when Mary goes to the cliff and the rocks start to crumble away are nerve wracking and have the reader on the edge of their seat, then had me wondering if the 'voice' was that of Mary's passed over father, until I almost got to the end an found out it was a teenage boy. There seems to be an air of mystery about him and one that is a great page turner. It has the reader wanting to fin out more, and if I had more time I definately would readd a few more chapters, but I have to feed my little boy very soon and have some more reviews to get through. An engaging read that I have enjoyed.
Good luck an best wishes with your book.
Lisa.
Grimeon's Pass.

Christina McClean wrote 654 days ago

Lovely poignant story. I read the first. You conjure up loss and grief so well, so close to the bone. And a perfectly rounded off ended leaving us relieved and happy.
Terrific read.
Backed
Christina
From Under the Bed

Andrew Burans wrote 658 days ago

I do like the stories I have read. Your collection of stories is most interesting and well crafted. Your imaginative writing makes them a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

M.H.Thonger wrote 664 days ago

hi there, what wonderful stories full of intrigue.They reminded me of the late night radio plays of yesteryear.
Backed by ' the compulsive adventurer'.
Mike

Lynne Ellison wrote 665 days ago

Have read the first story; very mysterious


Lynne Ellison

The Green Bronze MIrror

name falied moderation wrote 670 days ago

Dear Rome
Oh what a great pitch both short and long and one that I could not pass.CONGRATS. this is a book where it is impossible to put down. Your characters demand I play, they are in my head and dont look like they intend to leave anytime soon. That is ok but you need to put more of your book up so I can continue to discover them all.
BACKED BY ME FOR SURE
If you would take a look at my book and back it that would be soooo great. if not that is OK also
VERY best of luck
Denise
The Letter

Burgio wrote 670 days ago

BEYOND THE SHADOWS
I read the last one of these about the old woman and ceiling fan. Enjoyed it a lot. You have a good writing style for short stories; you know how to set your scene quickly so extensive description doesn’t turn your short story into a long one. Creates a good balance between dialogue and description. I’m adding it to my shelf. If you have a moment, would you look at mine (Grain of Salt)? I’m in 8th place but only holding on by my teeth. Burgio

andrew skaife wrote 670 days ago

HI. This is a poignant piece and written with soul. You express the agonies of alcoholism on all sides brilliantly.

The smaller touches, "She sighed, feeling a little groan escape her." on its own line, sad and painflul and artfully done.

The swift moves from anger to frustration, from demanding to pleading are all done in a very realistic way. The daughter's distress and her own frustration comes through vividly and heart achingly.

BACKED

SusieGulick wrote 671 days ago

Dear Rome, Well, here I am backing your 2nd book. :) What a quagmire, your story - great intrigue & twists, nice crisp dialoge. :) You may want to cut your long paragraphs in 2 or many more for us with short attention spans who tend to miss the middles of the paragraphs. :) Am I to expect a 3rd book, now? Love, Susie :) p.s. We back each other's 1st books. :) Could you please take a moment to back my 2nd memoir book, Tell Me True Love Stories?" Thanks so much. :)

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