- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Salt Publishing (15 Oct 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844714969
- ISBN-13: 978-1844714964
- Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 13.6 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,189,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
For Little Monsters: Beautifully written and crafted, and more compelling than many thrillers.
(John Harding Daily Mail )
For Little Monsters: When I was thirteen, my father killed my mother’ is an opening line that could go one of two ways. Thankfully, it pans out into a haunting novel, not a turgid misery. This is the story of a young girl ripped apart by grief, shunted off to an uncaring relative and, finally, finding the stability she craves in her Uncle Joey. But the chance to upset the equilibrium of human relationships is only ever a breath away. (Good Housekeeping )
This volume contains the best story I have read in several years, although the prize jury felt otherwise: Charles Lambert's "The Scent of Cinnamon". While other stories in the anthology push the creative boundaries of the short story form, Lambert's story is a classic short story in the O. Henry mould, complete with a surprise revealed at the end that adds a whole new dimension to what you have just read. The story is not one word longer than it should be, and every word is meaningful and well-chosen. The portrayal of longing amidst isolation is powerfully moving. This story is a work of art which should be taught in schools as a model of the form. (Amazon.com )
“The Scent of Cinnamon,” a love story of heart-rending proportions, is written in a language that is simple and readable, yet one that rides on the undercurrent of the classics, and in most parts, modern-day magical realism. Intimate situations are probably the hardest to depict. In this beautiful story, Lambert proves himself a master. (Manila Standard Today )
Talented Charles Lambert presents "The Scent of Cinnamon," a memorable and haunting tale of an arranged marriage between a widow and a farmer. It's the kind of story you have to read twice, for the ending is so surprising — and so good — that rereading is the only way to make sense of it all. (Oakland Tribune )
(John Harding Daily Mail )
For Little Monsters: When I was thirteen, my father killed my mother’ is an opening line that could go one of two ways. Thankfully, it pans out into a haunting novel, not a turgid misery. This is the story of a young girl ripped apart by grief, shunted off to an uncaring relative and, finally, finding the stability she craves in her Uncle Joey. But the chance to upset the equilibrium of human relationships is only ever a breath away. (Good Housekeeping )
This volume contains the best story I have read in several years, although the prize jury felt otherwise: Charles Lambert's "The Scent of Cinnamon". While other stories in the anthology push the creative boundaries of the short story form, Lambert's story is a classic short story in the O. Henry mould, complete with a surprise revealed at the end that adds a whole new dimension to what you have just read. The story is not one word longer than it should be, and every word is meaningful and well-chosen. The portrayal of longing amidst isolation is powerfully moving. This story is a work of art which should be taught in schools as a model of the form. (Amazon.com )
“The Scent of Cinnamon,” a love story of heart-rending proportions, is written in a language that is simple and readable, yet one that rides on the undercurrent of the classics, and in most parts, modern-day magical realism. Intimate situations are probably the hardest to depict. In this beautiful story, Lambert proves himself a master. (Manila Standard Today )
Talented Charles Lambert presents "The Scent of Cinnamon," a memorable and haunting tale of an arranged marriage between a widow and a farmer. It's the kind of story you have to read twice, for the ending is so surprising — and so good — that rereading is the only way to make sense of it all. (Oakland Tribune )
Review
These are accomplished stories of great subtlety and restraint. I absolutely love ‘The Scent of Cinnamon'. Made all the hairs on my arms stand up. A classic. So confidently and beautifully written … Charles Lambert is a very interesting writer who could one day attain classic status. (Maggie Gee )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A superb sequence of stories with a huge variety of themes and styles.
The first, which gives the title its collection, is a love story with a stunning twist which should be made into a short film immediately. A more surreal story was'Little Potato, Little Pea'and then there were more simple, poignant and beautifully-told stories of childhood:'All Gone' was my particular favourite here.
Charles Lambert is equally successful taking the viewpoint of an old servant woman ('Soap', another favourite) as he is conveying how it is to be a partner in a violent homosexual relationship ('Nipples'),while stories such as 'Air' in which Julian and David contemplate a move to Greece, manage to incorporate not just humour (in the character of a bar owner), but also great sadness. Like many of the stories, 'Air' has a surprising and shocking ending.
Putting it away on the bookshelf, I thought of a favourite and expensive box of chocolates - empty now maybe because the book is read, but I think the memory of each exotic centre will last for a long time yet.
The first, which gives the title its collection, is a love story with a stunning twist which should be made into a short film immediately. A more surreal story was'Little Potato, Little Pea'and then there were more simple, poignant and beautifully-told stories of childhood:'All Gone' was my particular favourite here.
Charles Lambert is equally successful taking the viewpoint of an old servant woman ('Soap', another favourite) as he is conveying how it is to be a partner in a violent homosexual relationship ('Nipples'),while stories such as 'Air' in which Julian and David contemplate a move to Greece, manage to incorporate not just humour (in the character of a bar owner), but also great sadness. Like many of the stories, 'Air' has a surprising and shocking ending.
Putting it away on the bookshelf, I thought of a favourite and expensive box of chocolates - empty now maybe because the book is read, but I think the memory of each exotic centre will last for a long time yet.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
although the title `The Scent of Cinnamon' may suggest something light and pleasant, and indeed the title story about a mail order bride set at the turn of last century begins that way, you will find the stories here are far from being so. They're mostly tough and punchy, contain hidden meanings and ideas, peopled by complex, believable and not always likeable characters. So wide ranging: from historical (two set in WW2) to bang up to date, gay to hetero- to bi-sexual, realism to supernatural themes, academic to council estate to middle class dinner settings, England to Italy via (possibly) Australia. You never quite know what you're going to get from one story to the next. One thing though - you're in safe hands. Lambert is an expert writer, his work telling and beautiful, a great eye for detail, great on childhood (All Gone, Girlie etc) even better on adults and their mixed desires and morals (desire usually winning out over morals) (Entertaining Friends, The Crack).
A couple of quotes from one story (All Gone) might illustrate his skill and power:
(after crapping himself running from bullies): My mother swept out from behind the counter. She picked me up round the chest, then immediately put me down again with a squeal of distatse. I stood in the centre of the shop, the legs of my flannel shorts glued to my innerthighs, their seat to mine. We could all smell it. I knew we could. It was hot and bitter, like tea from the pot.
(a fire): The air above Princess Rd looked like watered silk that night, but hot. As we drove in silence.. we noticed the smell, and then the air itself. My father parked the Humber, and we walked from the shop to the burning paint factory, holding hands as the hot sour wind enveloped us. The sky was fringed with red that licked up into the darkness, chased by a blue that seemed warmer than the yellow of flames, blue as the daytime sky. We could hardly breathe. The evening air smelt like the acetone my mother used to clean her nails, like mechanics' yards, like the boys who lived in the slums; a smell that skinned the eyes and took the words out of our mouths.
A cracking collection, or should that be craic-ing? Very nearly a 5 starrer.
A couple of quotes from one story (All Gone) might illustrate his skill and power:
(after crapping himself running from bullies): My mother swept out from behind the counter. She picked me up round the chest, then immediately put me down again with a squeal of distatse. I stood in the centre of the shop, the legs of my flannel shorts glued to my innerthighs, their seat to mine. We could all smell it. I knew we could. It was hot and bitter, like tea from the pot.
(a fire): The air above Princess Rd looked like watered silk that night, but hot. As we drove in silence.. we noticed the smell, and then the air itself. My father parked the Humber, and we walked from the shop to the burning paint factory, holding hands as the hot sour wind enveloped us. The sky was fringed with red that licked up into the darkness, chased by a blue that seemed warmer than the yellow of flames, blue as the daytime sky. We could hardly breathe. The evening air smelt like the acetone my mother used to clean her nails, like mechanics' yards, like the boys who lived in the slums; a smell that skinned the eyes and took the words out of our mouths.
A cracking collection, or should that be craic-ing? Very nearly a 5 starrer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a fantastic collection of short stories, by the author of Little Monsters, which came out earlier this year. The title story sent shivers up my spine, and I'm not surprised it won an O. Henry prize in the US a couple of years ago. But the others are just as good. There's an incredible range, from fantasy to satire to psychological realism. Some of them are seriously creepy! Quite a few of the stories have a gay theme but they're written for everyone. I loved this book and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes short fiction, and to anyone who thinks they don't. This one might change your mind.
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