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Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine
Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine | Diane Williams
19 posts | 10 read | 1 reading | 6 to read
The very short stories of Diane Williams have been aptly called folk tales that hammer like a nail gun, and these 40 new ones are sharper than ever. They are unsettling, yes, frequently revelatory, and more often than not downright funny.Not a single moment here is what you might expect. While there is immense pleasure to be found in Williamss spot-on observations about how we behave in our highest and lowest moments, the heart of the drama beats in the language of American short fictions grand master, whose originality, precision, and power bring the familiar into startling and enchanted relief.
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review
Lindy
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Pickpick

Experimental fiction is hard to review. I wasn‘t even sure that I liked these short (very short) stories as I read them, but the playful turns of phrase kept me going. If it was an abstract painting, I would say I like the brushstrokes and use of colour. That maybe there is an adulterer over here and some family relationships going on over there. An impression of social commentary. Puzzling, but interesting.

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Lindy
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They were all very attractive—the cups—very flowerful, and the best of them had rims that would turn outward slightly in order to appear more than willing to release the tea.

Centique Beautiful 😍 6y
37 likes1 comment
quote
Lindy
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The Skol
In the ocean, Mrs Clavey decided to advance on foot at shoulder-high depth. A tiny swallow of the water coincided with her deliberation. It tasted like a cold, salted variety of her favourite payang congou tea. She didn‘t intend to drink more, but she did drink—more.

[This is the story in its entirety.]

JazzFeathers I can see the wholeness. Not easy to write such short pieces. 6y
Lindy @JazzFeathers I feel like it‘s a slippery thing, like poetry that is working on me at a subconscious level. I have trouble with experimental fiction, but I‘m attracted to Williams‘ work anyway. 6y
Centique That is .... haunting. That will stay with me all day I think. 🤔 6y
batsy I'm interested to read this. This does read like a prose poem. Unconventional style, but haunting, like @Centique says. 6y
Lindy @Centique @batsy I‘m glad it struck a chord with you both. 6y
31 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Lindy
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She was fingering her glass that held water—the water that, of course, slides downhill when she drinks it—the water that one could say stumbles.

(Internet photo)

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Lindy
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But I was restful during a letup in the late afternoon, when my sister visited me. Her metal necklace caught at my shawl collar and it pulled loose a thread as I embraced her.
Her appearance needed some repair, too.

[author photo from book jacket]

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Lindy
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The salesman, at his home, empties a pitcher of water into a potted plant that has produced several furred buds that he‘s been studying and waiting on—courting, really—but it‘s as if these future flowers intentionally thwart him. He assumes responsibility for their behaviour.

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Lindy
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Henry the cat put his paws up on me and called out a critical remark. Then he made his other noise that is tinged with bitterness.
I‘ll make no attempt to explain a cat‘s problems that are basic to all cats—schemes that are unrealistic.

Suelizbeth He is gorgeous. 🐈😻 6y
Lindy @Suelizbeth Thanks. We have not yet been able to break it to Frida that her plans are unrealistic. And she keeps coming up with new ones! 6y
Suelizbeth @Lindy Oh! SHE looks like a cat with plans, but don‘t they all? 6y
See All 14 Comments
Meeko93 Queen of the house 6y
Lindy @Meeko93 That‘s what she thinks. 😉 6y
RebelReader What a regal face and I love her green eyes! (edited) 6y
merelybookish 😻😻😻 6y
AmyG Gorgeous ❤️ 6y
Lindy @RebelReader She does have gorgeous green eyes. She is also very cuddly, and purrs whenever she is held. 6y
Lcsmcat What a beautiful kitty! 6y
batsy Beautiful! And a wise face. I believe she has some thoughts on the unrealistic schemes of cats. 6y
Lindy @batsy It‘s probably better that I think of her as wise, rather than plotting, so thank you for that. 😊 6y
keithmalek Beautiful kitty! 4y
Lindy @keithmalek Yup, she‘s a charmer. 😊 4y
54 likes14 comments
blurb
Lindy
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The brief stories in this collection are an acquired taste. Distinctly avant garde. I‘m halfway through and still undecided about whether I like this kind of thing. These lines do bring up one of my pet peeves, however, which is cyclists endangering me as a pedestrian.

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Lindy
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The dog was upright, slowly turning in place, and then he settled down into the shape of a wreath—something, of course, he‘d thought of himself, but the decision was never extraordinary.

Mdargusch So sweet. ❤️ 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Looks like a lamb!! ❤️ 🐑 6y
Tanzy13 🐶 6y
Lindy @Mdargusch @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @Tanzy13 Thanks for your comments. My little Nenette died in June and she is very much missed. 6y
Tanzy13 I am so sorry for your loss 🐶💔 6y
42 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
wellreadredhead
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Panpan

Two of the maybe forty stories were good. I love flash fiction but this collection is not worth your time. Super disappointing.

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erinreads
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Slightly adapted the #yellowcovers prompt for day 2 of #riotgrams to #yellowspines. Close enough. 😎

hlgreenfield I almost did this because I actually have quite a lot of yellow spines and wasn't finding any yellow covers. Finally found one in the end though. 7y
Kalalalatja Love this picture! 7y
79 likes2 comments
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Jokila
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review
tholmz
Panpan

Maybe I'm not smart enough to get this, but I disliked it greatly.

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SavidgeReads
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Panpan

Gorgeous cover of the collection that's been my commute companion for the last week. The good thing is I have learnt flash fiction is perfect for bus commutes. The bad thing is that this flash fiction was waaaaaaaay too vague for me. Two stories were brilliant. The other 30 or so... nope.

8little_paws I generally don't like it either. It's too short for me, I need more to go with. 7y
MamaGina That bag is still awesome though 💼👍🏼🤓 7y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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charl08
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it's Saturday, it's time for me to read reviews at www.guardian.co.uk/books and add to my ginormous wishlist...

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Julsmarshall
Bailedbailed

Strange and nonsensical. Not my cup of tea.

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Julsmarshall
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Great new release library haul! What should I read first?

Briguy73 The Regional Office Is Under Attack looked good to me.I say start with that one. 8y
Madeline Same. ^^^ 8y
JPrecht The Regional Office! (I'm blinded by how long I've been wanting to read that one!) 8y
Mirshad The Regional Office! I need to get that one out of my tbr soon. 8y
Alytrue The Regional Office was great fun! 8y
41 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
amanduhduh
Bailedbailed

I... Didn't... Get... A... Single... Story... In... This... Book...

maximoffs 😂😂😂 8y
2 likes1 comment
blurb
Snakes6atx
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I was just turning some things into the library and these JUMPED into my arms demanding that I take them home - so I did!

10 likes1 stack add