A View from Memory Hill
Stories 'of a certain age'
by Paul Toolan
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Pub Date Sep 16 2017 | Archive Date Nov 06 2017
Description
We live life forwards, but understand it backwards. Either way, it's a personal journey.
The characters in this collection are looking back into the half-shaded landscapes of memory. Most are 'of a certain age', but young voices appear too, in stories uplifting and regretful, comic and sinister, poignant and optimistic.
Common ground is that moment of realisation - eventful, fleeting or veiled - unearthed during a journey into the past.
Will 'Ruby, the Silver Surfer' learn to cut and paste and save?
Who is 'Mrs Melanie'?
Should 'Billy the Quid' sell up?
Can Frank Smith cope with being an 'Old Man in a Young Pub'?
Why is Lydia 'Sleepless in Southampton'?
'What's in your bag, mister?' asks the small boy in 'A Bag for Life'.
See for yourself.
Advance Praise
A View from Memory Hill by Paul Toolan is a fascinating collection of short stories, twelve in all, each written from the perspective of protagonists who are in their ‘golden years’ – facing both the ravages time has wreaked upon bodies and minds as well as the feelings of disconnection from the hectic pace of the present day. I love short stories, and these are gems – well written, with wonderful dialog and quintessentially ‘English’ characters and situations.
All these stories are good but my two favorites are “A Bag for Life” and “And the Next Train is…” In a “Bag for Life” we find a touching portrayal of relationship and faithfulness that outlasts the limits of physical life. In “And the Next Train is…” the author gives us an unusual quirky take on the subject of ‘passing of the torch’ from one generation to the next. The exposition of hard-won wisdom in the form of an irrepressible enigmatic crone whose ‘chance’ encounter with a young man on the verge of entering full adulthood, turns him from his path into a wonderful new adventure.
At the end of this fine work, we are treated to a short Zig Batten story! This was wholly unexpected and delightful. For those who have not yet discovered Mr. Toolan’s irreverent, hardboiled Detective Inspector Batten I would urge you to immediately make his acquaintance in “A Killing Tree” You will thank me! Overall I gave this collection a rating of five stars and very well deserved. - 5 Star Review Amazon
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781549762062 |
| PRICE | £1.99 (GBP) |
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Featured Reviews
Cindy H, Reviewer
I enjoyed this book of short stories that dealt with people that are aging. Being that I am getting close to that "certain age" I understood the feelings of quite a few characters. The author writes his stories with true feeling.
When I finished reading, I feel quite nostalgic. Where have the years gone? So many memories had me a bit emotional, truthfully. If you enjoy short stories, this is a good book.
* I was provided an ARC to read from the publisher and NetGalley. It was my decision to read and review this book.
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