A spinster in love with a tobacco-smoking ghost. A lonely one-eyed monster who wanders the desert. A Medieval saint who delights in her " miraculous ruine." In Little Fortified Stories, award-winning writer Barbara Black conjures a microcosm of characters that defy convention. In these very short stories, curious worlds are encapsulated like a series of snow globes, swirling with deep emotion and teeming with strangeness. Inspired by art, music, alcoholic spirits, and what Black calls " authentic fabrications" from her own ...
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A spinster in love with a tobacco-smoking ghost. A lonely one-eyed monster who wanders the desert. A Medieval saint who delights in her " miraculous ruine." In Little Fortified Stories, award-winning writer Barbara Black conjures a microcosm of characters that defy convention. In these very short stories, curious worlds are encapsulated like a series of snow globes, swirling with deep emotion and teeming with strangeness. Inspired by art, music, alcoholic spirits, and what Black calls " authentic fabrications" from her own ancestry, these eclectic tales are told with an eye to the absurd. Buzzing with hypnotic intensity, Little Fortified Stories presents a world in which everything is theatre and the regular rules don't apply.
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Add this copy of Littlefortifiedstories Format: Tradepaperback to cart. $12.46, new condition, Sold by indoo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Avenel, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Caitlin Press.
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Add this copy of Little Fortified Stories to cart. $67.55, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Caitlin Press Inc.
Little Fortified Stories� by Barbara Black is a collection of poignant short stories. These can be classified as micro or flash fiction. Each story is grouped under a classification from which the story was inspired. The first classification is Distillations, which is broken down into the names of a variety of spirits, with several of the works listed under each. Other inspirations for her works come from art, music, dreams, travel, and even musings about her ancestry. They also take place in various parts of the world during different time frames, yet most give an air of having happened in the past.
I enjoyed relaxing and reading the words written by this award-winning author. While I have always enjoyed reading short stories, the terms micro and flash fiction were new to me. These wonderful works fall into those categories. Each writing is impactful and leaves a residual feeling of the emotions being conveyed, no matter how short the work. There are also numerous interesting illustrations interspersed throughout the pages. This includes the cover. I really enjoyed studying these, as they contained writings and were also creatively designed.
My favorite story is ââ?¬Å"Fuel that Stokes my Musings. This is an interesting piece about a man who has a phone conversation with the Grim Reaper. An odd friendship is struck with an interesting offer of a trade. Then there is Salon of Mirrors, which is about Medusa and her unruly hair. Such a unique concept on which to muse. My favorite title is Each Cell of Your Body a Tiny Clock. That hits home because I can feel mine winding down.
There are also several interesting quotes that are credited to other writers and philosophers. My favorite:
ââ?¬Å"Books are a narcotic,ââ?¬Â? Franz Kafka
I agree completely and have no desire to get help for my addiction. A ââ?¬Å"Notes and Referencesââ?¬Â? section follows at the end of the stories. I loved this area because it gave me more insight into where the author got her inspiration for her stories. This information adds so much more depth to her writings.
ââ?¬Å"Little Fortified Storiesââ?¬Â? is a must-read for those who appreciate the art of storytelling. Barbara Black showcases her skill for writing intricate tales in a concise yet powerful manner. Her use of imagery and metaphor adds depth to the narratives. Readers will not be disappointed.
L.T.
Sep 4, 2024
Literary Titan
Little Fortified Stories is an entrancing collection of flash fiction that plunges readers into a series of surreal, evocative realms. Each tale, confined to just a few pages, draws you into atmospheres rich with historical references, enigmatic characters, and moments that blur the boundaries of reality. Inspired by an eclectic mix of influences, from spirituous drinks and art to the author's own heritage. This anthology weaves a complex tapestry where the real and the imagined seamlessly intertwine. Each story offers a brief but potent experience similar to savoring the last drops of a rare, aged wine.
As I delved deeper into the collection, I found Black's prose both captivating and disquieting. Her mastery of language is evident in every sentence. Stories like "Blood and Oranges" showcase imagery so vivid it verges on cinematic, leaving scenes etched in your memory long after the final word. Her characters, often ensnared in moments of deep introspection or unsettling situations, are hauntingly lifelike despite their surreal contexts. The author's ability to evoke such powerful emotions within the span of a few pages is nothing short of remarkable. From the subdued horror of "The Bones of Amundsen" to the magical realism in "Where a Dark Heart Burns," Black effortlessly navigates between genres and tones, keeping the reader perpetually on edge, never knowing what to anticipate next. This variety ensures that while some stories may resonate more strongly with certain readers, others may leave different impressions. Black's writing often borders on poetic, with sentences that beckon to be reread and savored. In "Stitching," for instance, the prose is so meticulously crafted that each word seems chosen to evoke a specific emotion or image.
Little Fortified Stories is a remarkable anthology for those who cherish literary fiction that challenges and enchants in equal measure. Barbara Black�s skillful blending of history, surrealism, and profound human emotion makes this collection a must-read for aficionados of flash fiction and for anyone who enjoys stories that linger long after they�re told.
