Hello Gentle Reader
Sometimes, there comes this ironic feeling. If it had a taste it would be that of an unripe green, orange. While shopping for books, the other day, I repeatedly debated buying David Constantine’s new collection of short stories “Tea at The Midland.” Now this short story collection had been shortlisted for the Frank O’Connor Short Story Award – the most lucrative award for the short story. Past recipients of the award have been, Simon Van Booy, Edna O’Brien, Haruki Murakami and last year’s winner Nathan Englander. This year alone, David Constantine was up against, fellow British author and Booker Prize nominee Deborah Levy, as well as Peter Stamm, who was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize; for his collection “We’re Flying.” Yet David Constantine the poet on the periphery – as he described himself; won this year’s award, and the twenty five thousand dollars that comes with it. Constantine has been favourably reviewed, from critics and from fellow authors. Dame A.S. Byatt has described David Constantine’s writing in his previous collection “Under the Dam,” as:
“They are gripping tales, but what is startling is the quality of the writing. Every sentence is both unpredictable and exactly what it should be. Reading them is a series of short shocks of (agreeably envious) pleasure.”
Congratulations are in order for David Constantine!
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
*And Remember: Downloading Books Illegally is Thievery and Wrong.*
M. Mary
