TITLE - THE SAVOY AND OTHER STORIES
WRITTEN BY - STEPHEN MURPHY
PUBLISHED BY - BLACKGATE MEDIA
PUBLICATION DATE - AVAILABLE NOW
Stephen Murphy’s “The Savoy and Other Stories” contains seventeen short adults-only stories, some only a little over a couple of pages in length, others longer. They are intriguing snapshots of the lives of people who go through profound changes, both good and bad.
None of the stories outstay their welcome and are just the right length to avoid becoming boring - Murphy has a good handle on how to construct a short, sharp (sort-of) shock. The tales are not really of any particular genre; there are various styles but some of the stories have a twist in the tale.
Characters in the stories often have dark thoughts, variously planning revenge or even murder, and there is a large amount of death and loss here, but usually the stories end on a hopeful, transformative, note. A second or third reread is recommended to wring every nuance of meaning out of these tales. There are funny stories too, including title story “The Savoy” about a quirky old cinema of the kind we all wish we could find.
Overall, “The Savoy and Other Stories” is a competent collection of character-driven stories that will take you through the gamut of emotions, and is highly recommended.
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