Tightly written short form drama at its finest.
352521
This play is riveting. I have seen it performed several times.  The writing is taut, and also atmospheric, so that it brings one back to the era in which the incident occurred.  You can almost smell the perfume and cigarette smoke.
4891750
This short novel is very much a first-person narrative: we're inside the protagonist's often angry thoughts (she's a fierce, effective, AIDS activist, and copes with her health crisis as she does with external threats, by fighting back), and experience the bumpy road to her coming to terms with MS--complicated by an external threat that seems gratuitous (social media has made her and other gay fellow-MS sufferers vulnerable to thugs), but is all too credible in our ugly historical moment. As always, the incidental pleasures of Griffith's prose--her acutely sensuous response to physical stimuli, to the beauty of all live things, make up for the anger and grief. One of these pleasures is a newly adopted kitten, the other is a tenderly portrayed ex-lover.
2892787
Very good, tight plot. Well written with spare, clear writing and no wasted effort. Three dimensional characters with motivations that ring true.
3772154
This French short film, which was nominated for and WON both the Cannes Film Festival Award and an Academy Award, brings Ambrose Bierce's short story to life in a powerful way. With very little dialogue, this film, while discarding Bierce's explanation of how Peyton Farquhar was captured and sentenced to hang as a spy (and which actually is not necessary, in my opinion), depends on the visual rather than the spoken and succeeds admirably! The film may last less than half an hour, but in that time the viewer is rivetted not only by Roger Jacquet's performance as the condemned man but also by the beautiful scenery, the tight editing and just the right pacing of the action (the music, especially the slow lovely ballad "A Livin' Man", sung in the style of the Old Southern spirituals, also sticks with the viewer). The twist ending (which is worthy of the best TWILIGHT ZONE episodes [which, by the way, this film was used for in the fifth and final season of that wonderful series]), made me actually catch my breath, more than when I actually read ths original story. I heartily recommend this film not just for literature-lovers and film buffs but also for anyone with a love of the unusual and mysterious.
3903767
It's a short book that takes advantage of its length. It's deep and thoughtful in surprising, beautiful, and at times exquisitely poetic ways, and it tells a story about a man, his wife, and his budding lust for her sister that is surprising heartfelt. You pick up this book because it's an intensely detailed psychological portrayal of a pleasantly complicated narrator. You keep reading because the writing is just so good and the story, while simple, never lets you go.
604186
Heavy stuff. Vulnerable characters at the tipping point in this collection of short vignettes. Imagery is crisp and the dialogue short and to the point. I would've like to have seen several of these expanded into longer works, particularly "Can't Scrub It Off" and "Transactions." Nevertheless, a fast engrossing read.
289742
Having known Lorraine's other talents (singing, acting, screenwriting) for a few decades I'm not at all surprised by the ferocity of this wonderful short story.  So well-crafted, one is not wanting it to end, wanting it to go on in longer-form fiction (a book.)  Achingly real characters, textured prose -- you'll get hooked.
494901
Never one to disappoint, a short classic with a penetrating theme!
3890536
Six tightly written stories that flow together to perfectly define a relationship.  Taylor evokes images and feelings in a way that makes the reader wish the road with Del and Louise never ended.
4405236
This is how a short story should be!!! In 23 pages, the author was able to flesh out the main characters, tell the readers about their struggles, build a climax and then give us a denouement that excites and makes us hope.

Dardanus and Nestra are not your ordinary hero and heroine. Both have their own agenda. But a night of passion, though forbidden changed the dynamics between them with the implicit message that its repercussions are far reaching.

The book will keep you at the edge of  your seat until the last page. Also, though this book is labeled erotica, it is actually PG 13.
2479343
This a really cool small film.  I felt the tension all the way through.  What a perfect setting (AA meeting)  The acting is perfect.  Every single character is solid.  I hope to see more of these actors many other films.  This is what movie making should be.  You should check out this film!
3703073
Short stories are, in some ways, harder to write than novels. Every reader expects a full story, complete with twists and a human element, in a compact package. The spy thriller adds the added challenge of less space to play with the tropes, which are already fairly limited.

Stephen England manages to check all those boxes and deliver a brief but entertaining story with NIGHTSHADE. An op in the Triple Frontier goes sour and England's marquee character, CIA paramilitary operator Harry Nichols, is forced by politics to improvise and complete the mission anyway. The consequences of the mission stay with him upon returning home, delivering that human element and illustrating the psychological hardships of the career field.

As a veteran, I particularly appreciated the line near the end about feeling like a foreigner in the United States. I can relate to that feeling, as can most who have served this country abroad. It's a small detail but one worth mentioning.

At $0.99, it's more than worth the cost and will deliver entertainment in a compact package.
2037859
Considering all the ordinary books that reach such a wide audience, I don't understand how this could receive so little notice. John Yount has created a small masterpiece. At the outset Madeline Talley is returning to her parents' farm in North Carolina with her 13-year-old son, having left her inconsiderate, drinking and womanizing husband. "Home" is not comfortable. Her parents don't understand what is wrong with Madeline's marriage and her son misses his father. This is 1948, when women are expected to stand by their men. The point-of-view shifts among all three family members and although Madeline is the most sympathetic, the Talley males are equally believable and multi-dimensional. Ultimately a crisis brings them together and makes them reconsider their lives as a family. This slim volume is a page-turner, a character study and a period piece, all in one. It ends too soon and sticks in your mind.
1250446
This is a wonderful short story full of emotion. I enjoyed the description of the village; it felt as if I was there. Juliet 's belief in Baiardo and Luca shine through. There were several little mysteries at the beginning, and they were all solved by the ending--something I love in a book. The interaction between all the characters was well done. I liked the by-plays between them. The dialogue was sharp and witty and helped to move the story along. I would recommend Juliet's Journey to anyone looking for a short, entertaining story.
3701310
As a novella it was timed perfectly. A well executed story in this format. Great job on character development quickly but not rushed. Passion and dedication of Three persons is outstanding.
2248378
A well-written story, a well-acted drama, with character development and a surprising twist for the denouement.  It doesn't get much better
than this.
4803403
"Roosters" is a short but complex play that digs deep into both family relationships and religious faith.  The cockfight imagery used in the play illustrates the family tensions beautifully.  The play is a homecoming story, a coming of age story, an epic battle tale, and a story of faith in fewer than fifty pages.  I strongly recommend it for all readers or theater lovers, regardless of their previous knowledge of the cockfighting culture.