Official Review: Snowdrift Strangers
Posted: 19 Mar 2014, 15:28
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Snowdrift Strangers" by Jackie C Myrtle.]
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Jackie Myrtle paints a portrait of love lost and love gained in this kindly crafted short story. The story begins with a middle-aged woman who has loved and lost, after having married and divorced, loved and left an abusive husband, and while the spirit of cheer during the Christmas season sweeps through her small town, feels more lonely than she can stand.
The plot develops when the protagonist, Annie, runs into an old friend in a serendipitous moment of fate. As the friends reunite, great possibilities arise, and Annie begins to come alive, yet restrains under the worry of risking losing her newfound hope. Little does she know, her old acquaintance, Tom, feels exactly as she does. The two go on to fight towards comfort and transparency, in a joint journey that could lead them to the best in life, after experiencing the worst it had to offer.
One element in the story that really stuck with me was the way the author used the setting to describe how Annie was feeling, and how as her feelings changed so did the setting. The way the author personifies the environment not only makes you see the story, but also gives you a real sense of how Annie is feeling. As a third person narrative, I find the author truly talented in her ability to convey feeling from Annie.
What I enjoyed most about the story was how well Annie's loneliness was described. There were so many different examples and situations that compounded upon each other until you could literally feel the loneliness she felt, and that being accomplished with very simple language. It becomes clear from the usage that the author has put a lot of her true essence into the story.
The thing I liked least about the story was how everything built up in the beginning and then progressed in increasing haste towards the end. I feel the story could have been a bit more drawn out, to keep up suspense, and to entertain the mystery of how it would all pan out.
I rate this story a 4 out of 4, because the only negative thing I have to say is that it ended so quickly. The story was well formed, contained believable characters and dialogue, and still managed to take me away for a time! I congratulate the author and feel the inspiration that could make a reader want to be a writer.
***
Buy "Snowdrift Strangers" on Amazon
Share This Review
The plot develops when the protagonist, Annie, runs into an old friend in a serendipitous moment of fate. As the friends reunite, great possibilities arise, and Annie begins to come alive, yet restrains under the worry of risking losing her newfound hope. Little does she know, her old acquaintance, Tom, feels exactly as she does. The two go on to fight towards comfort and transparency, in a joint journey that could lead them to the best in life, after experiencing the worst it had to offer.
One element in the story that really stuck with me was the way the author used the setting to describe how Annie was feeling, and how as her feelings changed so did the setting. The way the author personifies the environment not only makes you see the story, but also gives you a real sense of how Annie is feeling. As a third person narrative, I find the author truly talented in her ability to convey feeling from Annie.
What I enjoyed most about the story was how well Annie's loneliness was described. There were so many different examples and situations that compounded upon each other until you could literally feel the loneliness she felt, and that being accomplished with very simple language. It becomes clear from the usage that the author has put a lot of her true essence into the story.
The thing I liked least about the story was how everything built up in the beginning and then progressed in increasing haste towards the end. I feel the story could have been a bit more drawn out, to keep up suspense, and to entertain the mystery of how it would all pan out.
I rate this story a 4 out of 4, because the only negative thing I have to say is that it ended so quickly. The story was well formed, contained believable characters and dialogue, and still managed to take me away for a time! I congratulate the author and feel the inspiration that could make a reader want to be a writer.
***
Buy "Snowdrift Strangers" on Amazon