Books Magazine

Paradise: Faber Stories by Edna O’Brien

By Pamelascott

An unnamed protagonist is on holiday with her new, much-married lover, in the company of the monstrously rich.

'How long would she last? It would be uppermost in all their minds.'

Each day, while the others are out at sea, she is taught to swim. Eventually, she will be expected to perform. The pressure mounts: it is only a matter of time before she snaps.

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In the harbour, there were four boats.

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(@FaberBooks, 3 January 2019, e-book, 38 pages, bought from @AmazonKindle)

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I enjoyed this story a lot. I liked the fact most of the character's don't have a name except we are told several male characters are called Teddy. The story has a surreal and sometimes dark undertone. There is a sense of inevitable as the unnamed female narrator waits for her fate. You know something unpleasant is coming but not exactly what. This is a powerful piece of writing.

Paradise: Faber Stories Edna O’Brien


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