Ride the tortoise (Paperback)

In this long-awaited collection, Liesl Jobson, internationally acclaimed for her mastery of the very short "flash fiction" form, turns to the longer form of the short story. In places, the author experiments with the narrative structure by crafting together snapshots in a collage form. Elsewhere, she retains the more conventional story line. She writes with panache and hypnotic honesty about topics as diverse as anorexia, cleaning the oven, the terror of losing a child, exile, infidelity and desire. Few writers are as assured in traversing the terrain of loss and fear. Yet there is quirky humour and sly surprise in these stories told from the perspectives of the policewoman, art teacher, athlete, bassoonist, lover and mother. Treat yourself: these dark chocolate and bitter orange stories are erotic, edgy and wise.