Today’s Specials – A Selection of Literary Delights by Oldham Writing Café

This anthology is produced by the writing group that call themselves the Oldham Writing Café. They meet twice a month in Oldham.  See their Facebook page here .

As a publisher who produces anthologies I know how difficult it can be putting together a cohesive book where every piece pleases the reader. This can be even more difficult when it is a collection by diverse connected writers rather than something where all pieces revolve around a central theme.

However, this one succeeds in keeping the reader engaged throughout. Whilst I liked some pieces more than others there was nothing I disliked and I enjoyed reading some fine writing.

The stories and poems are grouped in to Starters, Main Courses and Deserts. The final section of the book is called Speciality Coffees and gives information about the writers and the group. This section also includes acknowledgements.    

Worth a look.       

Dark Chapter by Winnie M Li

How very unexpected; a novel about a rape is totally engaging.

Winnie M Li was herself assaulted it took her nine years of recovery and hard work for the novel to become a reality.  This is not the story of the assault upon Li but at least we know that she writes with authority.

Protagonist Vivian likes to take herself off on lone hikes and it is whilst on one of these on the outskirts of Belfast that she is raped by fifteen-year-old Johnny. Perhaps it is risky for a young woman to set off alone like that and in an early scene she is propositioned by middle-aged man. Indeed Johnny’s defence argues about that risk. Yet we probably all think that a woman ought to be safe on her own.    

Li gives us both Vivian’s and Johnny’s points of view up to and including the trial and beyond. The trial scene is particularly gripping.

Li does not spare us the horrors of the rape itself, nor of the discomfort of the police examinations and of the trial. 

The writing throughout is tight. Both characters are exquisitely drawn.