The Girl in Black and other stories
By Michael Rudge
Reviewed by Paul Brooks
The short story is a difficult art form; acclaimed novelists baulk at the very idea. Trying to flesh out characters, plot and ideas in less than 5000 words – often a lot less – requires literary skills available to few.
I have been privileged to have had writers ask me to read and review their stories or books of stories. They have not all been universally acknowledged for their prowess in this field, because, for some obscure reason, short stories by little known authors are not high priority at publishing houses. For that reason, many have little choice but to self-publish and hope for recognition afterwards.
And yet, some writers have left me flabbergasted at their obvious proficiency and knack for the short story. I can only envy them and try to do their work justice in my praise of it.
One such writer is Michael Rudge. I recently reviewed his second short story collection — Of Other Lives — and was so impressed I went hunting for his first. Unfortunately, it is out of print, so copies are hard to come by. I therefore value the copy I found.