Review: Real Life with just a hint of Other
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2012
I received a copy of The Awakening & Other Stories as a complimentary copy for a read 2 review, this does not affect my honest review.The Awakening & Other Stories by Emma Meade was a collection of tasty morsels for my paranormal loving soul.Yes, that sounded EXTREMELY cheesy. But its the truth. I love stories that have a slight eeriness to it, things go bump in the night, old houses that sigh with loneliness and history, characters that are just not quite right, one foot in this world and the one in the other...Whatever the other is I should say. This was a very satisfying treasure trove. I am doing an overall review of the entire collection, but then I will pull out three of my favorites, and those I will break down slightly more.I speak a lot about description in my reviews, and the flow of the story, there are two reasons for that. One as a writer myself, I admire that ability, and I am attempting to learn how the author accomplished this. Then as a reader, it helps me fall more into the story; become fully consumed in the world the author is painting. It does not have to be large, expansive descriptions, it is more of the little things that makes the characters real and/or the situations more haunting. These small details helps me to identify either with the character or the story.Emma Meade does that in this collection, her use of the English language as a tool, to paint scenarios that helps me to relate, is astounding. Small things that brought a slight chill to my spine, or  had my soul sag a little for the characters saddness...examples such as in Ghost story when the two characters Jessica and Michelle venture into the old abandoned house and Ms. Meade describes the kitchen scene where she says" For some reason, the empty spaces where the cooker,fridge and washing machine should be gave her chills"....I related to that, because I have seen that type of scenario in my real life,and it also sent a shiver, or I'm not sure, just an uneasiness through me as well. So seeing it here in this story, a feeling I have experienced, but could not set to words, help me to relate. It added another level to my reading of the stories, because moments likes these were sprinkled throughout.Three that really grabbed me(I enjoyed the entire collection...I am only listing three that stood out to me personally)#The Boy On The Beach: This story is about Katie who after losing her grandmother , makes a desperate attempt to contact her after her grandmother died. She actually accomplishes her goal, and finally gains an answer to a question that had been haunting her for years. But alone with the answer comes a warning, which if it occurs will change her reality forever. I really cannot say in-depth what happens, it will ruin the story, but I will say, that Ms.Meade was able to create a beautiful, fantasy and at the same time cause that fantasy to have a sinister overtone. This one left me slightly creeped out at what should have been beautiful.#2 The Old Vampire: This story told of Hailey who was always a dreamer, basically residing in the reality of her books, even in her adult and senior years. Dreaming and dreaming of what she felt would be a perfect life, and letting all the other truly marvelous miracles of life pass her by. THIS one hit on a personal note, because I am one who enjoys  stories; and I am a chronic dreamer of dreams ...which as a writer, I believe is simply the author's toolbox. But this story was a warning, to not allow time and small moments to pass by, waiting on that perfect detail, person or dream to come. Life is living every moment now, and writing your story daily. Yes, I got all of that from this story. I was also touched by the character's sadness, loneliness and then confusion and fear, when she was not careful and got what she asked for.#1 End Of The Line: This story intrigued me from the beginning when only having seen an excerpt. The story of Cassie, a young woman who battled Chronic depression for most of her life; having numerous times, tried to commit suicide and failing. Cassie in this story is also back to the pattern of attempting to end it all and becoming frightened and stopping at the end. Until one night, while lying on the train tracks(her selected the method of ending it all) she meets a special train, with special people and stories, which causes Cassie to look at her true desires, and make the choice to either leave this life, or dig in and make the most of the gift she has been given...This story touched me, because Cassie is like so many,; she does seems to have a good life, job, home, family that loves her, but still there is an aching sadness, a chronic discontent, which is more insidious than any disease. I believe Ms. Meade paints a believable character, which is also frightening, due to how common Cassie situation occurs.This is a collection that will send shivers down your spine..so real life..with just a hint of Other.I loved it and its a must read!