Woman Zone CT
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • The WZ Team
    • Background
    • Projects >
      • Artscape Womens Humanity Walk
      • The Everywoman Project
      • Women's Walks
  • The Women's Library
  • Book Club
    • About
    • Book Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact
WELCOME TO THE WOMAN ZONE BOOK REVIEW PAGE.                   
​This is where members of the WZ Book Club get to share their thoughts on titles seen on the shelves of our Women’s Library. All reviews are unsolicited and only those attending the WZBC may borrow and review books.
The Woman Zone Book Club meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month between 2pm and 4pm at The Women’s Library, ground floor, Artscape.  All are welcome.
​
We welcome your reviews of women-authored books. Send between 200-500 words and cover pic if possible to info@womanzonect.co.za or hipzone@mweb and we will post it here! 

NUANCES and other stories

9/30/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Author: Dianne Stewart
Publisher: Fine  print Books
​Reviewer: Beryl Eichenberger
Short story writing is notoriously difficult – at least that is my take on it, having found them almost impossible to write. My angst at not being able to pen a good story saw me enroll for a Cape Town Summer School course with the wonderful Dianne Stewart. I can remember feeling relief when she dispelled my myths taking me with such expertise towards completing a short story that satisfied me. Dianne Stewart is an award winning, prolific and respected writer.
Having published mainly children’s books, both locally and internationally this is her first published collection of short stories, not a new genre for Stewart as two of the included stories, ‘The Crash’ and ‘Bread for the journey’ have already won national awards. When this neat volume arrived on my desk I was delighted to see that it was from the teacher I had learned so much from.
‘Nuances’ is an apt name for this collection as the short story in itself is full of nuances. It is a moment in time, a snapshot of life and many readers may find them wanting…inasmuch as there is more to be told and it is left to the reader’s imagination to take the story forward. That is the beauty of these stories – to evoke a curiosity for what comes next.
This volume of 22 stories is rich in its variance, with characters (mostly women) who hail from across cultures, countries and living circumstances. They draw on Stewart’s wide understanding of African languages. They are you and me and that is what draws you in, the likeness in so many ways of the people one knows.   
From Grace in ‘The Drought’ and a home invasion that highlights the vulnerability of rural living, to ‘The Trophy’ where a beautifully woven basket is a means to education for its weaver Miriam but is a fiercely contested prize for its prospective buyers. Stewart’s obvious love for the rural craft skills of Kwa Zulu Natal is evident in this story, but she brings home how so many of these artefacts disappear into mere décor pieces.  Stewart dips into many cultures and displays her powers of observation as she cannily and in many cases ironically, picks up on societal traits. In the title story we see the arrogance of an international publishing agent his actions leading to a journey of discovery for author Emma. The nuances in each carefully crafted story are thoughtful and memorable.
Weather is always a subject on a South African’s lips and in many of the stories water features prominently. Whether this was intentional I have no way of knowing but the addition of storms, downpours and crashing seas seemed to signify  the washing away of the past – a purification - a new beginning, a  dimension adding greatly to the enjoyment.
This is a handbag sized book to enjoy at any time, to return to and savour as each reading will bring a new perspective.   ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • The WZ Team
    • Background
    • Projects >
      • Artscape Womens Humanity Walk
      • The Everywoman Project
      • Women's Walks
  • The Women's Library
  • Book Club
    • About
    • Book Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact