Book: Little Red and Other Stories by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne

Little Red and Other Stories

by

Éilís Ní Dhuibhne 

 

Blackstaff Press 2020

https://blackstaffpress.com/little-red-and-other-stories-9781780732633

 

Eleven brilliant stories await the reader and zero disappointment is guaranteed.  This is a richly rewarding collection featuring characters appraising themselves, their relationships, their circumstances and their varying degrees of finding some kind of balance or sense in a shifting world.

 

As each story opens and gets into its stride, you just want to know more. You succumb to the wonderful writing and read on hoping the short in short story is not too short.  In fact, all the stories are perfectly pitched and formed.

 

I don’t want to give the game away in each case, so I’ll be brief in my comments on several of the tales.

 

It is hard to pick a favourite but if my arm was twisted, I would say Nadia’s Cake, a tale of the unexpected, with a jolt of a plot shift. But I can’t really play favourites with this absorbing collection. There are ten other delights.

 

At the end of the first paragraph in Blocked comes the line: Blocked. My mother has blocked my number. It sets the scene for a tale of a mother and daughter relationship and all the ups and downs within.

 

Other stories hit you with the first line. Little Red opens with: A thing Fiona does is online dating. Whether you like it or not, you’re in.

 

Lemon Curd: I’ll cut the bollocks off your mother. Well, you can’t not read on.

 

As I Lay Dying tells of two sisters, eventually estranged in adult life, and the murder of a cat. Hmmm, you are pondering. The only way to find out what happened and why is to get hold of the book.

 

Little Red and Other Stories is both entertaining for readers and a masterclass for short story writers.  Keeping the narratives tight but not restricting the need for vivid descriptions of time, place and characters is a talent to behold.

 

I attended an event at the 2019 Belfast Book Festival which featured Éilís Ní Dhuibhne talking about her amazing memoir Twelve Thousand Days, the first I had heard of her. Invest a little money and time in this magnificent story collection and the memoir. The investment will pay you back in literary gold.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 24 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

                                             HO! HO! HO! 

12 DAYS AND MORE

On the first day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


A matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 



 

On the second day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me,


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the third day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me,


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the fourth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me,


Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



  

On the fifth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 


 

On the sixth day of Christmas, 

A joker sent to me, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the seventh day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the eighth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Eight dragonflies, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the ninth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Nine caterpillars, 


Eight dragonflies, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the tenth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Ten beetles beetling, 


Nine caterpillars, 


Eight dragonflies, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me, 


Eleven crickets clicking

Ten beetles beetling, 


Nine caterpillars, 


Eight dragonflies, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, 


A joker sent to me,


Twelve wasps a-stinging, 


Eleven crickets clicking,

Ten beetles beetling, 


Nine caterpillars, 


Eight dragonflies, 


Seven hornets humming, 


Six bees a-buzzing, 


Five ladybirds,

Four willy-worms, 


Three creepy-crawlies, 


Two wriggly spiders, 


And a matchbox 

With a hyperactive flea. 

 



 

On the thirteenth day of Christmas,

Of  these “gifts” I’d had my fill,

So I grabbed the phone and made a call

To pest* controllers….. Rentokil.

 

*And that includes the joker!

ONLY YULES & VERSES 23 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

                                             HO! HO! HO! 

SOME JOKES

Who delivers Christmas presents under the sea?

Santa Jaws? 

 

Who delivers presents to little puppies?

Santa Paws? 

 

What do you call an old snowman?

A puddle.

  

What’s the difference between a knight and a reindeer?

One slays a dragon and the other drags a sleigh. 

 

What do you call a train carrying Christmas toffees?

A chew-chew train.

 

 Mrs Vampire: “I got you a new set of false teeth for Christmas, darling.”

Mr Vampire: “Fangs very much.” 

 

A man tried and failed to buy his son a karate suit for Christmas. He moaned: “I could kick myself.”

 

How did the ghostbuster know what the poltergeist was getting for Christmas? He felt his presents. 

 

Every time I watch Mary Poppins at Christmas, I get blurred vision. The optician said it was um diddle diddle diddle um diddle eye.

 

The forgotten reindeer is always the girl – Olive, the other reindeer…….

GUEST STARS - A DOZEN QUESTIONS 2020

The wonderful writers who contributed to A Dozen Questions in 2020.

I enjoyed. I learned a lot. I revere these wonderful people.

Seek out their work. Shell out a few quid and be amazed by the emotional return of investment. 

Let me and especially them know what you think.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/2923491798785973304

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/2706592713109450124

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/5527561262616573439

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/2262503578580598587

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/461850881072586789

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/8390836903300554964

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/715618174469336389

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/5086548544707613349

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/4154290990196317275

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/1118347381552975717

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2947440685572089171/6921661165036104017

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 22 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

 

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

NOSEY

  

  

Message from Santa:

 

“Fair warning, 

fair warning,

Don’t be nosey 

‘til Christmas morning!”

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 21 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

TELLY CHRISTMAS

 

Christmas on the telly 

Chock full of festive stuff, 

Eyeball indigestion, 

Some sparkle and some duff.  

 

Special this and special that 

Recorded last July, 

Bits of plastic holly 

And a snowy FX sky.  

 

Ancient classic movies

In flaky black and white, 

Conveyor belts of showbiz dross 

All through the day and night.  

 

Cartoons by the hundreds, 

Game shows by the score, 

Showbiz moves to overdrive 

To see we don’t get bored.  

 

But alas when all the watching’s done 

And we’re all drinking cocoas,

All eyeballs in the universe 

Are out of blinking focus.

 

 

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 20 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

 

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

YULETIDE DECORATION

 

*
*

*

Y

YU

YUL

YULE

YULET

YULETI

YULETID

YULETIDE

YULETID

YULETI

YULET

YULE

YUL

YU

Y

ONLY YULES & VERSES 19 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

 

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

TODAY - A FEW JOKES

 

Special offer – Good King Wenceslas pizza – deep and crisp and even.

  

A security guard is talking to the store manager:

Guard: “All our stock of German Christmas cake is missing.”

Manager: “Stollen.”

Guard: “Reckon so.”

  

What’s the best music at Christmas?

Wrap.

  

Who's the most unwelcome person in a shop at Christmas?  

The elf and safety officer. 

  

What was the Boss’s worst ever Christmas?  The year he had to give Santa the sack.

 

Did you hear about the employee who stole the office calendar last Christmas?  

She got 12 months.

  

Did you hear about the reindeer who ate the Christmas decorations?  

He got tinsellitis.

  

Man to friend: I bought a Christmas tree today in Asda.

Friend: Which branch?

Man: All of them.

  

Why was Santa's little helper so sad?

He had low elf esteem.

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 18 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

DEER, DEER

 

Dasher and

Dancer and

Prancer and

Vixen and

Comet and

Cupid and

Donner and 

Blitzen and 

Rudolph -

 

Dear, deer, deer,

Deer, deer, deer, 

Deer, deer, deer,

Santa sighs, 

For every November 

And no mistake,

He has to do a stocktake.

 

 

ONLY YULES & VERSES 17 OF 24 - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HO! HO! HO!

When the original Only Yules & Verses book was self-published in 2013, an unsolicited comment appeared on Amazon.  I call stuff like this little nudges of encouragement.  Of course, for every flattering nudge, there are several pokes in the eye waiting in the wings. Here’s the comment:

 

“Only Yules and Verses is one of those special little books that you happen upon serendipitously. I have read authors' blurbs before extolling the mirth to be found in THEIR book only to buy the book and be severely disappointed. What an unexpected joy, therefore, to pick up this little gem and read it to the end with smiles, a few laughs out loud and some headshakes at the ingenuity of Joe Cushnan. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

 

P.S. I am not a friend or family member of the author, but how I wish I were!”

I'll take that!

ONLY YULES & VERSES - CHRISTMAS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT 

HO! HO! HO!

TURKEY TROT  

 

Round and round 

The farmyard, 

A-huffing

And a-puffing, 

The farmer 

Chases turkeys 

While mother 

Makes the stuffing. 

 

RAIN DEAR  

 

Mrs Claus said to Santa: 

“If your bad cold’s so severe, 

Wrap up warm by the old log fire 

And don’t go out in the rain dear, 

Don’t go out in the rain.”

 

DEAR

They say Christmas is expensive

As to the shops we dash,

Well, look for the clue in this anagram,

As Christmas becomes ‘trims cash’.