The Fiction Shelf

A brave narrative poem that deals honestly with issues of fundamentalism, placing them – vitally – in a human context. The poetic voice, like the protagonist – and like his brother who we never hear – is nervous but determined. An important, modern piece of writing.

With speech that is at once engaging and familiar, and a steady, dramatic narrative, Belldown explores long‐established family dynamics and the effect they have on external relationships. The narrative voice expresses fluently a filial struggle that often lays unsaid.

America is in depression and its small towns and working families are struggling. This story’s dialogue is local and its characters are troubled. A childhood lived in an adult world is the difficult backdrop for this engrossing period tale.

A wonderfully‐paced, funny and insightful story about a mother getting to grips with her son’s impending marriage. Family Stone is warm and engaging and deals with familiar issues without ever seeming trite.

Beginning with a charming return to a childhood in an America where “Disney meant Disney” and kids feasted on Goobers, Chuckles and SkyBars while waiting for the next Big War, this dry‐witted and engaging story goes on to chart a man’s life and his constant struggle with Luck.

An honest, lyric sonnet whose simple imagery captures excellently the gentle expectations of youth and the desire to reclaim them for the present.

Here, the author has embraced the theme of our ‘One Day’ competition in a unique way and created an engaging and surprisingly uplifting piece. It’s humorous and very real.

A poem of pleasant frustration. There is a nostalgia in the brutal honesty of the memories of working class life. The sepia‐toned recollections suggest confusion about a place in a society where death and illness are the only constant.

This short fiction is poetic and tactile; the characters and backdrop are very real. These things combine so that the story about a Moldovan family, struggling in Stalin’s Siberian work camp, remains tough, emotional and always engaging.

In this piece the Author explores the relationship between the protagonist and their Grandfather. The focus upon the Grandfather’s love of photography and his meticulous journal keeping are in contrast to the fleeting moments shared and the contrasting interpretations of their days spent together.