From the title to the last page this is a book of words skilfully put together to create powerful images from the darker side of the mind. This has similarities to the raindrop that has a outer surface tension which shows both its strength and fragility whilst knowing at any moment it can burst. Sarah Brentyn writes in describing her book “when you’re on the Edge, It’s Easy to Fall.”
Like her first book Hinting at Shadows this book is a collection of flash fiction and I think should be read slowly (it could be read in one sitting) and savoured. The book is divided into three parts which follow a beautiful introduction which looks at the form of flash fiction and her inspiration. As she so beautifully puts “There is a world inside a drop of fiction.” The next two parts, Mindscapes and Lifelines are both pieces of around 100 words and this is followed by the third part which are microbursts – fiction under 50 words.
I said after reading her first book that Sarah Brentyn is a master of flash fiction and this book only cemented this belief. I have however added to that statement and say that Brentyn is a master of the first line. All her first lines make you want to read more. Some have you gasping at the images they create. Take for example the piece Strawberry Fields Forever. The first line: ” Her memory lane was potholes and busted chunks of asphalt.” How could you not want to read on.
This is a perfect book for readers of flash fiction, for those that don’t have the time to read a novel, for those that love words and sentence construction, for those that enjoy having their emotions manipulated and pulled in all directions and for those that want to write flash and need examples to learn from.
I guess I don’t need to ask my question “would I recommend this” as you can tell I would.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
It’s on my list! I thoroughly enjoyed Hinting At Shadows and look forward to this one. It is hard to know how best to read them though. You suggest savoring, but it is like being around an open bag of chips. (crisps?) Hard to put down.
You did a great job here.
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Thanks D. Perhaps you have it both ways – read it like an open bag of chips then re read slowly, savouring every morsel.
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Thank you, D. 🙂 (And I like Irene’s suggestion of re-reading them and savoring each one. That’s brilliant. It’s how I like to read flash, too. Thanks, lovely ladies!)
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Sarah’s book sounds great, Irene. Thanks for sharing this brilliant review.
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You’re welcome Robbie. I thoroughly enjoyed the book although when some of the pieces are dark I don’t know whether enjoyed is exactly the right word. Lets just say it is good.
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Thanks, Robbie. 🙂 It is a brilliant review, isn’t it? I love this. I’m still smiling…
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Irene… This is is so beautiful.
I keep writing and deleting my comment here so I’ll just say this was an amazing surprise to find in my inbox. THANK YOU. ❤ You've made my whole week.
(Oh! And the 'first lines' comment! That is one of the best compliments ever. I LOVE first lines. I collect them. I've written post about them. Thank you, for that.)
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Sarah I enjoyed it. Some of it was very dark and you wrote it so well I wanted to reach out and give you a hug and had to pinch myself that this is fiction.
I’m not good at first lines and lately have been trying to do a better job with them. l should do as you do and collect them and work out what makes a good first line so I can try and do my own.
You should be proud of your book – it is good.
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It is pretty dark. It’s what comes out when I sit down to write. Except for the occasional satirical piece, this is what happens when my mind is let loose. That is such a lovely comment. It is fiction, for sure, unless I’ve been reincarnated numerous times and each and every one was its own special hell. I’m so happy to hear they read as true, authentic stories. ❤ Thank you, Irene. It's posts like this that do make me proud of my book.
(First lines are an obsession of mine. I love them. So to have you say I'm good at them is like…a gift.)
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Smiling.
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On the Edge of a Raindrop sounds like a wonderful book, Irene – so does Hinting at Shadows. I love writers with a poetic voice.
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Thank you, Sharon. Irene definitely makes these sound delightful. I hope others feel the same. 🙂 Cheers!
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She has a way of putting words together (as do you) that fill me with envy. Don’t respond to that – my voice is my voice and that is what it is but I too love lyrical prose. Some of this is quite dark although beautiful.
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