What we truly want out of life is never entirely clear. Woodcliff Anthology is a collection of short fiction from D. A. Blankinship as he presents snapshots of lives and many people who act with uncertain knowledge of their future, to learn for themselves, and to better understand others. Debates about justice and vengeance and much more, Woodcliff Anthology contains many stories to help readers ponder the world.
I have to admit that summer makes me a little bit of a lazy reader. I don't spend hours on the couch under an afghan as I do in the winter. I'm on the go more and for me summer books need to be shorter and lighter.
When I picked up Woodcliff Anthology by D.A. Blankinship I was looking for something quick to read. When I realized it was a collection of short stories I was thrilled. The stories are short but very well written and amazingly intricate in the thought behind them.
To me, a good short story is one that could be fleshed out and made into a novel. Each and every one of these jewels could have easily been made into a full length novel. The story line and plot with interesting characters and settings is all there for the taking.
All of the stories have a little something in common; not in the circumstances or details but in the thoughts the story invokes.
Miss Elaine's Rescue is one of my favorite stories. It tells the story of a young couple with a newborn. They don't have a lot of money but they try to do the very best for their daughter. When they find what they think is the perfect nanny, they are pleased that she is willing to work for the money they can offer.
Miss Hamilton is a elderly, grandmother type who was a teacher in her younger years and seems to genuinely love children. She and the newborn girl get along wonderfully from the get-go.
One day the mother, Sheila, gets a bad feeling that Miss Hamilton might be planning to kidnap her daughter. She runs into their home to find the nanny and her newborn daughter missing.
The end of this story was a delight and I thought that Mr. Blankinship must have a lot going on in his head to spin a story like this.
All of the stories have an interesting, somewhat dark thought behind them and each one made my mind whirl off in a different, yet familiar, direction. Even with the sometimes other worldly undertones the stories end in a light, thought provoking manner.
This collection of short stories is the perfect beach book as it allows the reader to put it down and continue in two hours or two days without having to back track to refresh their memory on what they have read.
The stories are short but not chintzy on detail and plot. Each story is one chapter of the book and somehow each story is the perfect length. If you don't like the story flip a few pages and check out the next one. There is something in this book for everyone.
This was a great anthology of short stories. The topics were diverse and engaging, the plots had good little twists, and the characters felt familiar. They were thought provoking and had just enough fantasy/surrealism to keep the reader on their toes. I really enjoyed this book, and was grateful for the giveaway copy. I'd like to read more from the author.
I quite enjoyed this anthology and plan on looking for more of D. A. Blankinship's writing. Some of the stories were hard to understand, some were creepy, but all were thought provoking. It was a bit grittier than I would allow some of my teens to read, but was a good adult fiction add to our library.
I love anthologies and this collection does not disappoint. Woodcliff Anthology is a collection of short stories that all have a moral meaning. The main characters in each story each have something unique about them that isn't recognized by those around them. Most are mistreated in some way and eventually find some happiness from sources not in the norm. The stories are quick reads, interesting enough at times to make you wish the story was a whole book instead of a short story. They are gems that give the reader something to think about in their own lives. This anthology would make a great book selection for high school, maybe finally something interesting for students to read!
Thought provoking book, about who we are, why we are here, our purpose(s) in life...
As I read Woodcliff Anthology I was fascinated. The book was filled with short stories which kept me captivated. I allowed myself one or two stories an evening. The stories were unique and so well written that it was refreshing to read something so original. Woodcliff Anthology's are a must read for everyone. Nice work.
The Woodcliff Anthology is an eclectic collection of short stories by D. A. Blankinship. The stories are at once entertaining and diverse. They encompass enough human emotion and characteristics to give them depth and a sense of believability—even when they dance in the surreal. As a teacher, this is the type of anthology of short stories that I actively seek as it explores enough of the human condition so as to be connected with, and enough of the fantastic to warrant any student’s attention.
I like the book, but some of the endings was strange. The main theme was the special love between the characters I saw in all the stories. The author is great story teller.
This is not the kind of book I would normally buy but from the synopsis it sounded an interesting collection of stories. I found it to be a delightful collection of charming tales, with a decent twist at the end of each story, very much along the lines of ‘Tales of the Unexpected.’ It is a very 'calm' book that can be shared with the whole family and although the book didn't personally excite me or suggest anything exceptional, I thought it was an enjoyable and easy to read book. I think it would be a nice book to have handy for cold winter nights, as there is something quite pleasantly comforting about the stories.
I loved the stories in the Woodcliff Anthology. The dedication of this book states "I dedicate this anthology to those hapless deep thinkers who are convinced life is a random biochemical accident and we exist in an indifferent cosmos, spinning dizzily toward extinction. Why do they get up in the morning?" This gives a hint towards the spiritual / mystical nature of the stories.
The "about the author" section states "His stories immerse you in timeless places where you meet people who are familiar, yet mysterious." That is precisely how I felt. Each story speaks to a life lesson. Sometimes you can see it coming. Sometimes it is a surprise. In either case, it is a good reminder of these lessons. My two favorites were Miss Elaine's Rescue and The Final Defense.
I will definitely reread these stories and see what more I get out of rereading them - perhaps more than once.
Great short stories! They were very engaging, but short enough to finish in very little time. Like Aesop's Fables with a modern day twist! Definitely worth picking up.
Wishing for Secrets – a cute story about a boy, a soul, a mother, a sister and a ?DREAM??? or was it.
Jewel’s Unexpected Friends – A redeeming story of a child lost to the abuse of a hopeless, cruel father. Well not everyone finds friends the same way. But Jewel does make some friends that in the end, save her life. Nice to see a little girl get a new dress.
Miss Elaine’s Rescue – MY FAVORITE, this is a little Mary Poppins and a little Mrs. Doubtfire but it has a great ending that makes you think, children are inconveniences sometimes, but true investments all the time. It takes someone special to make something special.
Justice for Patricia – Justice is sought. Justice is bought. Justice is not blind, and Justice is kind. The twists and turns of who is right and wrong, make you look ahead and behind. Am I causing the comfort or the confusion in this world?
The Last Bet – Sometimes you just slip into the next thing. This was a nice story. The ending wasn’t a surprise for me, but I bet for a few this will be fun to find the end. Taking the golf cart and the drink cart are two different experiences on the golf course.
The Final Defense – This was really bittersweet for the end that it procured. I was left cloudy and confused, but then again that was the point, to feel as confused as the accuser. Do you hand onto who accused you? Do you get to see why you were accused?
The Mystic’s Help – This had the spice of Agatha Christie painted alllllll over it! Loved it! Let the money talk, let the people talk, let the money walk, and watch the Justice prevail. Love the Gypsy in this one.
The Arrangements – This too felt a bit 1970-1980’s Agatha Christie meets Alfred Hitchcock. I loved the mellow view of the value of perspective. AWESOME way to meet each day!
You are going to enjoy these shorts for exactly what they are… Which side of the window, fence, dollar bill or twist of fate you sit… is the side where you choose the title of good or bad. ENJOY!
This is a collection of short stories that are meant to make you think. I believe the author is trying to remind us that all of our actions have consequences for good or bad whether or not we are aware of them, to enjoy the little things in life, and that success isn't measured in dollars. The stories do not come across as preachy, but I wouldn't recommend reading straight through them like you would a novel. Thought provoking, but not stridently profound. Enjoyable read.
If you like well written, thought provoking stories then this anthology is for you. There was not one story that was not enjoyable. Reminded me a lot of Howard Fast's Time and the Riddle. A Very PLEASANT way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
This is an amazing collection of stories.
Each one starts out ordinary and some are very ordinary (i.e., gathering firewood or putting a cow in a pasture). Then the story unfolds into a fable and you realize something very unexpected is happening.
The cover says the stories are about, “courage, forgiveness, perfection, and enlightenment.” That’s a big promise, but this book delivers.
Every story is a message about life. Each story is simple, yet as the pieces come together, you get an entirely different impression about what is happening to the character or why it is happening.
You need to read this book where you will not be disturbed. Read the stories one at a time and give your self a day or two before reading the next one; you will need some time to think about each one, on its own merit.
If you know someone who likes to think about metaphysical or religious ideas, he or she will really enjoy this anthology. When you read the other reviews, you will see that quite a few people join me in my enthusiasm.
After reading the book, I ran an internet search on the author and found an interview he gave on the anthology. It was interesting and put a few stories into a much wider perspective.
Those who are ready for this book will love it, those who are not, just need to wait a while.
I liked the book very much, every story has something special and the one about the girl and the "dogs" is just so inspirational. Great work authors. Would re-read it with great delight and will probably buy a couple of copies to give to friends as a present for people who love to read. My compliments, this anthology is very-very special!
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