Dan Rhodes

One of those books that's not really about plot (there are essentially two events) but rather about character and atmosphere and getting to know other people ... and perhaps the limits of our ability ever to do that. Lovely writing, slow, gently building up our understanding of the characters, and then on the final page, after what feels like catharsis and closure, a single paragraph of four lines that's so subtle in its connotations as to make you go, "Oh no! ... does that mean ...?"
Miyuki, show more bless you. show less

I tend to be fairly wordy, which is a serious handicap in our 140 character world. When I come across someone who can, unlike me, convey a world in very few words, I am impressed and a little awed. Dan Rhodes' newest story collection, Marry Me, is comprised of very brief flash fiction pieces, many of which contain a universe in their short paragraph(s).

Ranging from a paragraph in length to a couple of pages, each story is fully self contained. Thematically, they are all similar, focusing on show more relationship, engagements, weddings, marriage, and divorce. Rhodes doesn't present the hearts and flowers version of any of this. Instead he cheerfully skewers each in turn. And rather than containing raptures, his brief flashes are composed of wry observations, cynical black humor, and casual uneasiness. They make a pretty forceful statement about the ridiculous expectations we put on the trappings of marriage (both prior to and afterwards) and the way in which society has caused us to look for the unrealistic in our relationship lives and loves.

This is not a collection celebrating marriage or love by any stretch of the imagination but it is hilarious. I did truly laugh out loud as I read it. I also snorted derisively. And I shook my head in disgust. The stories are quirky, sarcastic, and even farcical. They chronicle an awful lot of unhappiness, acceptance of the mediocre, and the way in which we treat marriage as disposable. Because the short collection of 80 stories revolves around the same theme, some of the stories feel repetitious and it is a bit odd that there's no alternate vision of marriage offered as a counterbalance but over all, as a collection, this is a fantastic read. It can easily be read in one sitting but is perhaps best dipped into to maintain the impact of the stories individually. show less

How to describe this book? Well it’s a modern day fairy tale and is funny, macabre, innocent, idealistic, realistic and taboo breaking. It’s also beautifully written and at times unremittingly perceptive of the human condition, “She felt numb. Then she felt sick. Then came a raging pain, as if insects were trapped inside her body and struggling to scrape their way out through her skin. One by one these insects gave up and she felt numb again. She hoped this would last, but soon the show more nausea returned, and the scraping. Her eyeballs throbbed.” This was recommended to me, with some hesitancy, by the manager of my local independent book shop. I understand her hesitancy as I’m a uncertain as to how I feel about this book as at times it feels a little unnecessarily gruesome and the plotting is a little uneven. show less

Timeleon Vieta Come Home is Dan Rhodes' first novel, but sensibly as an experienced short story writer he ensures it comprises a patchwork of stories, the first a novella length story of a dog and his master and what happens when their life is disturbed by the arrival of 'the Bosnian'. The second half is a procession of short stories of the people Timeleon Vieta meets on his way home. It's touching and funny, and while 'the Bosnian' is an irredeemable villain (particularly given the ending) show more the rest of the characters are vivid and engaging. Even Cockroft, who could've been deeply unlikeable in lesser hands is sympathetic and engaging. It's a beautiful, light read that brings rural Italy vividly to life. Oh, and I defy any dog owners not to shed a tear at the end. show less