Above the Parapet by Alison Lock

Review by The Mole

This book is a collection of 20 short stories by Alison Lock. She has had stories and poems published in anthologies before and has won  prizes with some of her short stories - which are included here - but this is her first publication of all her own work.

All of the stories are quite short at 5 to 12 pages in length are so are excellent for coffee time reads but the moods tend to be rather dark although they are, very much, an eclectic collection. Most people will find stories in it that they will smile at, identify with, scratch their head at or ponder over.

I have to admit that in a short story I don't particularly go for the 'dark' - more the humour or ponder types so I found many in here not to my taste but each to his/her own. I also found many in this collection I did like and that started with the first "Ashes For Roses" where Armageddon is coming and this may stop Leah from finally beating her husband in the county flower show with her perfect rose. It's a bit dark but humorous with it. But then there is The Hanging Tree which is very short, very dark and I'm not sure I really understood it.

A collection with so many varied stories in is sure to have something for everyone.

Publisher - Indigo Dreams Publishing
Genre - Adult Short Stories

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Lascar by Shahida Rahman

A history not to be proud of
Review by The Mole

Ayan and his brother, Kazi, are orphans raised by missionaries until they are too old for the orphanage and are turned out onto the street. After trials and tribulations they establish a rice farm while Kazi also plants a betelnut tree. Things go well until Kazi develops a tumour from chewing betelnuts. Without enough money to pay for a doctor for him, Ayan signs on as a Lascar - paid to do the dirty work below decks on ships as his father had before.

This is not an exciting adventure story, a romance or a murder mystery although it has elements of all of these in it. It is a fictional history and while it is doubtful that everything that happens could ever all happen to one man, it is totally plausible that each part of the story did happen to someone. In fact the way the story is presented and explained I am sure it did and frankly I feel ashamed that anyone, regardless of nationality, could ever treat people in this manner.

Having said all of that, I am extremely happy that I read it. Incidents highlighted here - many of cruelty, some of love, some of friendship, of loyalty and kindness - are told in language that brings each story to life and touches the reader. A very good read that will be 'enjoyed' by people that care. Care about who they are and about other people as well.

Just one warning though... the proof reading and editing is less than perfect but this in no way detracts from the story and message that this book contains.


Publisher - Indigo Dreams Publishing
Genre - Adult Historical Fiction - but I'm sure younger readers would find it of interest too.

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