TA Gilbert

Wednesday Night Tupperware is a thoroughly enjoyable short stories/ shorts collection of consistently high quality which highlights one fact: Tracey Gilbert is a truly talented writer. I particularly enjoyed "Say Something" and "Lamé Belts and Cardboard Crowns" - the latter is a beautiful piece of writing. All I would say is that it sometimes feels a little disconnected, almost like reading winning entries from writers’ competitions where only a title was suggested, but that’s probably because I tend to read short story compilations which are linked by genre (e.g. ghost stories). If anything the ‘theme’ behind Wednesday Night Tupperware is characterisation, which has been done exquisitely. I would recommend this book to all - and it is already being devoured by another family member!… (mais)

I received this collection of short stories through the LT Member Giveaway programme. For the most part the stories are character studies, which can be verging on truly excellent ("Lamé Belts and Cardboard Crowns") but occasionally left me slightly cold ("The Accident"). "No Beep" was a funny reflection of modern life and, as a hill walker, I particularly appreciated "The Way Down"!

I enjoyed Ms. Gilbert's writing, which suited her characters nicely. Several of the stories are very poignant, although some of the stories lacked the element of surprise that often characterises my favourite short stories. I will keep an eye out for her novel that is apparently published this year: I'd like to see how she weaves her characters together in a plot, which by necessity doesn't really happen in vignettes like these.

Overall, while I thought some of the stories were more successful than others, I definitely enjoyed this promising debut.… (mais)