Book Review: Women on the Edge: Writing from Los Angeles

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Women on the Edge: Writing from Los Angeles     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Samantha Dunn , Julianne Ortale
Class/Genre:   Fiction   [Short Stories]

The short stories in this collection are all by female Los Angeles writers. They are described as 'serious short stories' about those 'walking wide, weird worlds with an ear to the shifty ground' - and as might be indicated by that description, many of the stories are rather bleak and inaccessible.

I found two of the stories especially fascinating. 'Debbieland' by Aimee Bender is an extraordinary description of a bully through a vision of the mind of a person who can only interact with others through some form of manipulation, who imagines ownership achieved by producing tears in another person. Carol Muske-Dukes' 'Contraband' vivdly portrays two cultures-within-a-culture and their relationships.

This is a somewhat challenging and depressing collection, and would not appeal to everyone. On the other hand, those who enjoy modern short stories will find some rewarding examples of the genre in this book.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM