She used to be someone else, but now she's arrived in Vegas, where she can start again. It won't do to let the past leak in. It's the Sixties now. She's going to become ... Joan. She makes a list: Buy a new dress (fitted, floral). Dye her hair (dark). Curl it. Buy red lipstick. Buy cigarettes and a lighter, too: Joan, she decides, is a smoker. There's no need to dwell on why she's here, what went before. She is just moving forward, one foot in front of the other, becoming that new person. Joan. This city of flashing neon, casinos and shows is full of distractions. Finding a job will be quick and easy. Things to do. New people to meet. A clean sheet. She's certainly not thinking about Jack, or ... No. Not anymore. Her new life starts right here, right now.
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[VAST, EMPTY RED CRAGS]***
(Contraband, 5 December 2019, 76 pages, paperback, bought from @AmazonUK)
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I bought a copy of this book because it won the MsLexia Novella Award and I'm a subscriber and wanted to check the book out. I thought it was great though too short, often a shortfall of a novella. I liked Joan and wanted to stay with her for a long time. I liked the fact the book has flashbacks which offer just a glimpse of the sadness and secrets Joan is running from. This is a great little book. I will need to check out Meyer's novel now.
