Changes

|title=My Mother Was An Upright Piano: Fictions

|author=Tania Hershman

|reviewer=Ani Johnson

|borrow=Yes

|isbn=978-1906477608

|pages=136

|publisher=Tangent Books

|date=May 2012

|website=http://www.taniahershman.com

|video=6VBawAmcwJA

|summary=A gem of a book containing very short stories that gush oceans of meaning.

}}

It's said that the art of short-story writing is totally different from that of novels as the writer only has ten or so pages to accomplish what others do in two to three hundred. Imagine, therefore, telling an entire story in prose conveying depth and meaning in fewer words than this review. It may be difficult but, apparently, not downright impossible as [[:Category:Tania Hershman|Tania Hershman]] has nailed it with honours. In fact her first collection [[The White Road by Tania Hershman|The White Road]] was commended by the Orange Prize judges of 2009.

Rating this book was a dilemma. As there are stories that I don't fully comprehend yet, perhaps I should give it a four-and-a-half? On the other hand, the language in each of these 'flash fictions' shot past my mind's eye, bursting onto my tongue as, in places, its beauty demanded that it was read aloud. I know I'll revisit its pages repeatedly for decades to come. In fact, despite having a free review copy, I've actually also bought it for my e-reader so that it becomes a companion and, to me, that seems to indicate five stars at the very least.

If you've enjoyed this, then you'll also enjoy Tania Hershman's [[The White Road by Tania Hershman|first book of short stories]]. If you're already a fan, try the heartily recommended [[All Shall be Well by Stephanie Tillotson and Penny Thomas]].

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