Böcker av Susan Midalia

If Jane Austen was twenty-five today would she be a greenie or a member of the Young Liberals? Probably neither. But for 25-year-old Hazel, reading the classics starting with A is a way to pass the time while jobless and plotless. A chance encounter with an irresistible older man provides a much-needed distraction. When Hazel is partnered with him on a political campaign, her attraction is deepened by the strength of his convictions. Adam seems to be attracted to her too - but why can't she persuade him to embark upon romance? And what does Jane Austen have to teach a young woman about life, love, and literature in the 21st century anyway?

Life sucks when you are a vacuum cleaner-salesman facing redundancy, and your wife of nearly 40 years fills your days and nights with incessant chatter. But when Gloria suddenly and alarmingly stops talking, the silence is more than 59-year Bernard can bear. In desperation, Bernard turns to his ex–daughter-in-law for help. Meg has issues of her own, and her bright and funny daughter Ella sometimes wonders if her mum is trying so hard to keep her safe it stops them both from spreading their wings. Will Meg's suspicious nature thwart her chance encounter with the kindly but enigmatic Hal? And is there still hope for Bernard and Gloria on the other side of silence?

Feet to the Stars is Susan Midalia's third collection of short stories, offering keenly observed details about everyday life expressed with pathos, tenderness, and bracing wit. Subtly rendered and emotionally engaging, these stories speak of the transformative capacities of the heart and mind, and of the ways we affect each other, sometimes unwittingly and often profoundly. They offer us the pleasure of listening to different voices, and the satisfaction of reading carefully crafted and evocative prose. *** Midalia's skill at presenting big ideas through everyday experience demonstrates how powerful good writing can be. -- The West Australian *** Librarians: ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO [Subject: Short Story Fiction