Review: Fine and delicate stories, nicely written
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 9, 2014
Most of the stories in this book deal with marriage, relationships, family.The setting is not that extraordinary and the characters seem like fairly average people. There isn't anything which will change your life, but, it will give you something to think about, some fine stories to enjoy.The narrative the author employs is very humane, with a lot of attention to detail. She makes the telling seem so natural, so easy. The stories are strong and delicate at the same time.The choice of words, the selection of details to emphasize gives you a strong sense for what the characters were feeling and how they were changing.The resolution of each story is subtle, but not necessarily ambiguous; sometimes there are plot twists and sometimes the end is a little predictable.But I liked all the stories because she did a good job exploring people, love and life in a moving way, but without becoming overly sentimental or obvious.I particularly enjoyed the story ‘Runaway' and the story 'The Lost Children of Gatwick Airport’.‘The runaway” is a  bittersweet short story. The author uses a quiet and suggestive prose to take you gently to the beautiful final twist.I loved also 'The Lost Children of Gatwick Airport' a well-written and a little thrilling story.I liked it because the situation is described very vividly and things didn't quite go where I expected it to. It has a subtle end that I liked very much.Frances M Thompson takes the reader on a journey and along the way you will be entertained, surprised, frightened and enthralled. For me there were no low points in this book, no weak links, no disappointing stories.But I admit that this book may not be for everyone.I would recommend it to those who enjoy short story collections, who like modern fiction and female writers, who seek out books which focus on how people can be foreigners even in familiar places or how they can feel at home in far and unknown countries.I received a free copy in exchange of my review