A collection of short stories. Three of these tales have been previously published, two are prizewinners, and with the exception of one gothic tale of horror, this short collection explores the nature of ordinary people dealing with how life really is; warts and all. Some offer hope, some don’t, and it is up to the reader to decide where that hope lies...
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Review by: Mark Cantrell on Smashwords on May. 20, 2011:
A small selection of short stories it may be, but they are all finely written depictions of lives in motion.
The stories don't depict grandiose themes, or great adventure, but those small moments that might seem fleeting but are of great import.
Here, in these little slivers of living, is where human life is really defined, and these stories are engaging, moving, and filled with human warmth, even where the story touches upon the darker aspects of human nature.
Time Standing Still makes for a worthy introduction to Farrell's work. It will not disapoint.
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Time Standing Still is a diverse and intriguing collection of short stories. Farrell focuses mainly on the tough times that can be experienced life – true life obstacles to which readers can relate, but she also tells one story of fictional horror. Readers will experience sadness, compassion, hope, fear, revulsion, and maybe even some happiness – I did. In her note to readers, Farrell writes, “…though my stories might not be light and airy tales of joy”, I think this is what I liked most about her stories. I don’t want short, sweet happy endings, especially with a short story. Farrell’s stories will make you think, they’ll make you feel, they’ll even make you remember in some instances – the characters in these stories don’t feel fictional; they feel like old friends or family members. I can go on with these stories in my mind and build further lives and outcomes for the characters and it was refreshing to read something that did feel so real; something that didn’t end with the perfect solution – wrapped up tightly with a fancy bow.
I’m not going to review/summarize the stories separately here because the author has done that quite well at the beginning of her book. Additionally, I cannot pick a favorite – I tried; simply cannot do it! I enjoyed each story in a different way and I connected to the stories in different ways.
Review from http://the-book-worms.com/
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I enjoyed these stories very much, especially "Dog Days and Pink Hydrangeas." The prose is cleanly written without any awkwardness. I particularly liked that as well as the truly thought-provoking stories. I would like to read more from this author. ** highly recommended **
Review by Brenda Aldridge on http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46613
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Enjoyed reading "Letter To David". I highly recommend this Ebook.
Review by MFP on http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46613
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A beautiful collection of short stories. Congrats to the author. I really enjoyed them. I hope there are more to come.
Review by Catherine Coffey on http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46613
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This is a selection of stories that are told with compassion and insight and lovely attention to detail. They explore relationships, caught in the pain and turmoil of every day life, brought vividly to life by excellent characterization. A man's dilemma arising from his wife's depressive illness, bringing back images of his own mother and the loss he experienced, and yet, is there a tinge of hope at the end of ''Dog Days and Pink Hydrangeas? 'Cycles' explores the mother and daughter relationship. It is about life, love, endings and new beginnings. Not a word too many or too few. 'Letter to David' has none of the sentimentality we sometimes associate with stories of orphanages and the cruelty experienced there. It is simply beautiful. 'Time Standing Still' could be from any city in any part of the world and Quinn a victim of circumstance. You will love him or hate him, feeling all the while the hopelessness and inevitability of his situation. Betty displays the dignity of old age and an acceptance of things that must change, lending 'Checking Out' a poignancy that is both touching and evocative. And lastly, 'The Birthday Gift'. Master Lucius Jordan seems to be everything Ursula has dreamed of but when he reveals his dark side....you are confronted with a touch of horror and the supernatural that will send shivers down your spine.,/p>
Review by Belgod on http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B004RPX1VE/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
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A wonderfully mature collection of short stories dealing with the personal battles in the lives of the little people of this world, people each of us can identify with and relate to. Though the material is relatively dark these stories address themes of hope, fear, sorrow and joy with an unflinching eye and find beauty even in the most unforgiving circumstances. This collection comes from a writer whose voice promises much much more still to come, who shouts loudest for the little guys, and for those whose internal dialogue was never heard until now. Wonderful.
Review by Qualiserospero on http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B004RPX1VE/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
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Available from Amazon United Kingdom at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Standing-Still/dp/B004RPX1VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TVV12T0I6NSM&qid=1300022073&sr=1-1
Available from Amazon United States at http://www.amazon.com/Time-Standing-Still-ebook/dp/B004RPX1VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2HD1FRBBEUS3N&s=digital-text&qid=1300112183&sr=1-1
Available from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46613
Available from Xinxii http://www.xinxii.com/en/time-standing-still-p-326959.html
Available from BarnesAndNoble.com at http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=EBOOK&WRD=caroline+farrell&page&prod=univ&choice=ebooks&query=caroline+farrell&flag=False&pos=-1&box=caroline+farrell&ugrp=2
Available from Amazon in Germany http://www.amazon.de/Time-Standing-Still/dp/B004RPX1VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A11MW6AJTK8WZ7&qid=1305975335&sr=1-1
Available from Diesel-Ebooks http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000046613/Farrell-Caroline-Time-Standing-Still/1.html
Available from Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11445784-time-standing-still