Scablands and Other Stories by Jonathan Taylor

Scablands and Other Stories by Jonathan Taylor

These are tales from the twilit scablands stories of austerity, masochism, migration, as well as unexpected laughter, music, even bubbles.

Although each of these compelling stories stands alone, there are at least two possible links between them all: first, the political nature (with a lower-case “p”); and second, the desperate need these characters have for connection in this isolating worldSuch themes unite them as a collection. This is a short story collection that I strongly recommend.

-- Ruth F Hunt * Morning Star *

The images created in these stories linger long after the book has been shut: an Andy Pandy Nightdress, a soldier digging in the mud, a girl on a till trying to pause her life and a biography completely crossed out in red pen. The stories in Scablands may be short, but Taylor’s superb word weaving skill ensures the tales last so much longer than their actual length.

-- Lisa Williams * Everybody’s Reviewing *

Taylor not only provides evidence that as an endlessly variable, malleable form, the short story is alive and well. Indeed, he gives his readers every reason to rejoice in its continuing good health, and this, despite the fact that so many magazines and journals which used to print short stories have gone to dust. Arnold Bennett, that hospitable, generous champion of writers of all kinds, would have been delighted with Scablands, and so, for what it’s worth, am I.

-- John Lucas * London Grip *

Jonathan Taylor is an author, editor, lecturer and critic. His books include the memoir Take Me Home (Granta, 2007), and the novels Melissa (Salt, 2015) and Entertaining Strangers (Salt, 2012). Both novels were shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award, and Take Me Home was recently named as one of the Five Best Books on Neuroscience by Prof. Andrew Lees. Jonathan teaches Creative Writing at the University of Leicester. His website is www.jonathanptaylor.co.uk

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781784632946
ISBN 10	1784632945
Title	Scablands and Other Stories
Author	Jonathan Taylor
Series	Salt Modern Stories
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Salt Publishing
Year published	2023-07-15
Number of pages	208
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.