Showing posts with label Andalusia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andalusia. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

AN OPEN LETTER TO STEPHEN KING AND OTHER ESSAYS by Jenny Twist

4.5 out of 5 stars

Assorted articles

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE



I just spent a lovely afternoon reading this. It's worth five stars just for the articles about Spain, where the author lives. They're pieces about a rural, mountainous area of Andalusia (I think), where time stands still to a certain extent, and they made me long to be there - which is what the best articles about foreign countries do, isn't it? These were my favourite of the 'other essays', followed by some of Ms Twist's views on the effect of Women's Lib, the differences between the sexes, and why the media promotes skinny as the ideal shape for women. Agree, agree, with all of these!

Also in this collection are lots of articles with help for the new writer. Jenny talks about her experiences, and dares to embrace controversial subjects, ie, how many self-published books are just badly written: "For every great writer who never made it out of the slush pile in the publisher's office, there are hundreds who should never have been in print in the first place". Yet at the same time she is helpful, and illustrates her own mistakes and misconceptions. She has obviously become jaded about indie publishing companies too, as she comments that some (not all) have dubious standards and will accept most submissions regardless of quality; she now self-publishes.

There's an interview from another author's blog, too, in which she tells of her time as magician's assistant, The Lovely Tanya! I'd definitely recommend this collection, it's something you can keep dipping into.



TALES OF THE MANTEQUERO by Jenny Twist reviewed HERE

TALES OF THE MANTEQUERO by Jenny Twist

5 out of 5 stars

Short stories, Spanish folklore

Originally posted on Amazon UK HERE on 10 October 2014
On Amazon.com HERE



I've read the original three stories, and I loved them, because of these things: a) Jenny Twist is a terrific storyteller, one of those true naturals, b) they're not predictable, which to me is the absolute deal breaker with short stories. The second has a particularly 'What the??!!' ending...! c) It's not some made-up thing - the Mantequero is a piece of genuine rural Spanish folklore and d) They convey the atmosphere of a Spanish mountain village so well.

There are also two additional stories in it, which I haven't read yet but will do so shortly - if they are up to Jenny's usual standard I shall want to come back and give this review another star - except we can't give six stars, can we?

Very highly recommended - and the collection is now in paperback, which I shall be getting for some friends for Christmas presents!



AN OPEN LETTER TO STEPHEN KING by Jenny Twist reviewed HERE