Rebecca BurnsRecensioni

Artefacts and Other Stories is a decent short story collection. It's not amazing, but there are some good stories in there. The collection could have profited from a little more variation between stories and a little more narrative within the stories. But mostly, it's okay.

Read more about each of the stories on my blog: https://kalafudra.com/2018/11/24/artefacts-and-other-stories-rebecca-burns/½

With skill and economy, Rebecca Burns allows us to slip into moments in the lives of her characters when the meaning and emotion of their struggles up to that point seems to compress. Memories overwhelm. New choices perhaps appear.

That compression of time can be triggered by an item, an artefact; perhaps a greatcoat, a letter, a bootie. Bits and scraps. Moments. Glimpses.In The Bread Princess, we discover that an array of bonnets can give us impressions of the changing attitudes in a small community across a century. In other stories we view obliquely into the psychological impact of the 1914-1918 war through unexpected portals: a kitchen, a railway waiting room, a cricket match.
These snippets about each of Burn’s characters are like a sheaf of loose pages fallen from the larger books of their lives. We discover enough to give us a feel for who they are and to wonder what will happen to them, even while we must accept that we’ll never get to read all of their pages, just as we cannot ever really know someone’ else’s life story.

I enjoyed this collection; and also recommend Catching The Barramundi and The Settling Earth.

Overall, Artefacts and Other Stories is an uneven but worthwhile read. Artefacts… improves with a second reading, as some of the themes are repeated and underscored. The idea of artefacts leading the themes in the stories is intriguing but sometimes, heavy-handedly done, as in” A Gathering of Relics” and “The Bread Princess.” The title story, “Artefacts,” almost makes it, and “Mayflies of Apollo” works well. The directness of “Tide” rings true., but often the artefacts’ meaning is confusing, as in “Dandelion.” The author needs to show more than just saying it tasted”sour, although promising sunshine.” This is not a good contrast, as sunshine does not “taste”. “Kansas” and “Defillibrate” are enjoyable with interesting characters and changes, but again the symbols are a bit obvious.
Burns has shown some talent in this collection and I would be interested to see how she develops in a second collection. The main criticism I have is that the link to history is sometimes unnecessary and unclear. She seems to assume we are aware of her train of thought at times and leaves out the important link. The stories that deal with present situations rather than harking to the past (“The Greatcoat”) are stronger.

This short book of short stories was engaging at times - interesting snippets giving your a glance at times past. Some of the stories did leave you curious about what happened after the last page. I would recommend to someone with a free afternoon but at times my attention wandered away.½

They voyaged from Britain to the ends of the earth, “the antipodes”, expecting better chances and new lives. But the settlers brought with them the same stultifying conventions and social constraints.

Isolated on bleak farms or in soul-destroying boarding houses, the women in these stories are at the mercy of men’s whims and always one slip away from total poverty. They must reach deep down through their instincts to do what it takes to survive – or else succumb.

Though each story is complete, they are linked by events or characters, so that the stories towards the end satisfyingly close the circle of themes. The last story, by Shelly Davies of the Ngātiwai tribe, adds a Maori viewpoint of these arrivals.

I enjoyed Rebecca Burns previous collection, “Catching the Barramundi” and found “The Settling Earth” to be an intriguing and sometimes heartbreaking look at the personal hardships of settling New Zealand

This publisher wants to get around the ER rules by making you give your personal information to another site that will then spam your in box. I decided not to claim it. I don't need that hassle.

"The Settling Earth" is a collection of beautifully written, poignant, skillfully interwoven short stories which detail aspects of the daily lives of colonial New Zealand. The last story is written by Shelly Davies of the Ngātiwai tribe, adds a Maori perspective to the experience of British settlement in their land. I loved all the stories in this book and Davies' story rounded the collection off beautifully.

As I read, I was reminded of Barbara Baynton's writing which I also love.

"The Settling Earth" is absolutely worth the read.

For the last few years, Jess – a research archivist – has been assisting her boss with his own pet project. The senior professor is obsessed with finding the identity of a skeleton that was discovered buried with a bishop renowned for his charity work prior to and during WW1. The skeleton is that of a young woman, and Jess has been reading countless letters and other historical documents for clues as to her identity.

The story is not merely an intriguing historical mystery, but also an exploration of how easy it is to spend years of your life doing what is expected of you instead of following your intended path. Jess is frustrated by her boss’s lack of appreciation for her work, and acknowledges that she is allowing herself to be manipulated, but struggles to overcome that inertia that keeps her in her comfort zone. That same entrenched behavioural pattern is also damaging her marriage and Jess is forced to make some difficult choices.

I found the first section of the story a bit difficult to read, partly because the introverted dramas of a woman bored with her life is not really my preferred genre, but if I’m honest with myself, mostly because reading about Jess’s character flaws and poor choices was really frustrating – as it was meant to be. The second part of the story is written as flashbacks to the bishop’s life, and I was thoroughly engrossed. The characters and settings are interesting and vivid, and bring home how some historical documents can seem like such dry glimpses into events and lives that were actually full of flavour and emotion. The final parts of the story follow Jess’s discoveries as she embraces and begins to enjoy the research she had previously felt so trapped by. These run in parallel with flashbacks to the events themselves, revealing the mystery in the eyes of the people involved, and I could not put the book down.

The Bishop’s Girl was the perfect holiday read – although now I feel the need for another holiday – perhaps to Europe to visit some old churches and war museums? I certainly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good historical romance.

During World War I, an English Bishop, Anthony Shacklock is buried near the field hospital in France where he helped to comfort soldiers. The beloved Bishop is soon exhumed to be brought back home to England. However, when the Bishop is dug up another body is found with him. The bones of a young woman remain a mystery through present day. Professor Waller has made finding out the identity of the young women his life’s work; however, he gives most of the actual research work to archivist Jess Morris who must toil away in dark libraries and go chasing leads all over England on weekends. Doing all of Waller’s work has placed a strain on Jess’ husband and children. Just when Jess seems to find a significant and exciting lead on her mystery woman, she begins to make some risky decisions with her personal life.
This was a very intriguing historical mystery. I was thrown into the story from the very beginning when the unexpected bones were found. First of all, I love dual-time stories and this story went back and forth between the present and 1899-1918. I also like giving a story to those who were forgotten and nameless, even though this story is completely fictional it gives a small taste of the work that researchers do in order to solve mysteries of the past. This story did have a bit of a slow start for me, while I do find research interesting; there was perhaps a bit too much in the beginning. However, as the clues began to come forward and we got a look back into Shacklock’s time period, the story became better paced. There was definitely a lot going on with Bishop Shacklock and the story of his time in Greece and in the French Hospital were very involved and intriguing. The conditions of the field hospital were particularly well done and I could imagine it very well. Jess’ story slightly mirrored what the Bishop was going through, however some of her issues paled in comparison to the Bishop and the mystery woman. When the identity of the mystery woman is revealed, I felt relief of her identity and sadness over her story. Overall, an absorbing historical mystery and a wonderful look into historical research.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

What I enjoy about Rebecca Burns' writing in The Bishop's Girl is how "real" it sounds. I almost begin to research the bishop thinking that surely this book must be historical. (It is not.) Bishop Anthony Shacklock also reminds me of Ralph de Bricassart, the main character of The Thorn Birds, a memorable book I read a long time ago. The common threads of family, fidelity, and priorities tie together the stories of the women past and present in this book.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/12/the-bishops-girl.html.

Reviewed based on a copy received from the author.

The Settling Earth by Rebecca Burns is a very highly recommended collection of interconnected short stories set during the colonial settlement of New Zealand.

This is an exceptionally well written collection of stories that, when read together, capture a time and place through the eyes of many different characters all living during the 1800's in colonial New Zealand. Burns deftly captures the time, place, and characters so completely that I felt I had been transported back in time. In keeping the stories short, there was as much implied or left unsaid as was clearly explained. At the end of the collection I felt like I had just finished a short novel where each chapter was written through the eyes of a different character.

Many of the stories feature women and the difficulties they faced in the settling of a new land. Motherhood is a theme, as well as the difficulties women faced when married or unmarried during this time and place. Many of the choices the women had to make were difficult and that is clearly presented even if as a fact rather than expounded upon. There is a sadness permeating the stories. There is some colonial superiority present but it is tempered with the smart addition of the last story, written by Shelly Davies of the Ngātiwai tribe, which features the reflections of a Maori native.

In the end I found this to be an excellent collection that should be well received by fans of the short story or those who appreciate historical fiction. The quality of the writing alone should merit some attention from many readers. I really appreciated the whole picture created by the interconnection of the stories told by each new character.

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Rebecca Burns via Netgalley for review purposes.

4.5 Stars

This book started slow; the first two stories of the anthology felt disjointed and almost a bit ethereal, not a quality I enjoy when I’m readying my occasional short story collection (not something I do often). But once stories three and four happened, I was gobsmacked by the connections I was making and the emotional journey that was taking me on. So the book definitely picks up quickly after the rough start!

The author’s skills at incorporating historical details and setting the New Zealand landscape astounded me. I've never read a historical fiction from New Zealand and finished it. So this material was all new to me. Seeing how that history impacted the men, women, and children who lived it kept me spellbound. I loved how the author explored the juxtaposition of a backwater colonial society with remnants of Victorian morality and standards left over from the old world.

Also, anyone who has watched the Lord of the Rings movies and the extras of that trilogy (*raises her hand*) can be somewhat familiar with New Zealand landscapes and geography. So I could visualize quickly the world in which these individuals found themselves. That’s actually one aspect of the first two stories I didn’t mind, the wide open plains with its lone tree and roaring, lonely winds made me remember some of the descriptions and clips of where they built the Edoras set. I could so picture William’s and Sarah’s homestead there…

The characters showed quite a depth of emotion and personality for this being a collection of short stories, as a consequence only getting to know these men and women for a very short time. My favorite would be the chapter, “Dottie”. That’s the chapter where my brain was blown away at the direction this overall story was taking. The previous chapter’s focus, Phoebe, and then Mrs. Gray in the Dottie chapter is what made this collection for me. The author does an incredible job in jam-packing her limited space with subtle characterization details that intertwine with the overarching story-line to create a true gem of the short story anthology genre.

This was a bit of a slow start, but once the ball got rolling, I was kept spellbound. I adored how the author paid attention to all her elements in equal measure: scene setting, characterization, historical details, and a dramatic story broken up into individual people’s lives. And I do think that slow start was probably just because I don’t read short-story collections often. So I had to get into the mode. I highly recommend this collection of stories illustrating the lives of the early colonials to New Zealand and on the people they encountered, the Maori. It’s a wonderful collection.

Note: Book received for free from author via Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

People don’t change just because they cross an ocean, and the people of Rebecca Burns’ The Settling Earth are as recognizable as any citizens of a busy town today. There are women of ill repute, struggling to get by. There are men who prey on them. There are people with hopes and plans, and people in despair. And there are children, lost to their parents, passed into a world of darkness. This is Christchurch, New Zealand, as seen through the eyes of its 18th century inhabitants, and the author recreates it beautifully in a gorgeous collection of interlinking short stories. Like Christophe McFarland’s The Chester Chronicles, Elizabeth’s Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, or D. A. MacQuin’s Polite Conversation About the Weather, this is a novel that evokes time, place and character through well-crafted tales, changing points of view clearly delineated, and intertwining connections offering readers the pleasant anticipation and surprise of discovery.

Some of these tales and discoveries can be dark and haunting. Others offer more hope. But together the whole collection sheds a convincing and convicting light on mankind’s relationships and cruelties. With haunting prose, harsh details of history come to life, and the women of immigration find their voice and strength. Appropriately, this happens in a land where, as the final tale (by guest writer Shelly Davies) shows, “even thought it was the men who were out ithe front in the war parties, politicking and making speeches, women were a powerful influence. A force to be reckoned with.”

Author Rebecca Burns may also be a force to be reckoned with, and this short novel deserves to be a classic.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.

In the 18th century, British emigrants began settling in colonial New Zealand. The new and harsh landscape along with the presence of the native Maori creates unease and conflict among the two groups. With ten interwoven short stories, the lives of several settlers and one Maori are examined.

I don't know a lot about New Zealand or its settlement by the British, so these stories were eye opening for me. The stories each provided a very intimate and in-depth look into the lives of a diversity of characters. Some of the stories were very emotional and taking on a darker tone and some had a dreamlike quality. I enjoyed looking into a variety of characters, a newly married couple, the local madam. one of the working girls, farmers and a Maori man. Some of these characters I created a very strong connection with, especially Dottie, Laura and Pip. I also liked that even though these were short stories, each story had a small connection to each of the others through a character or an event; which, in the end created a story within itself.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Ten short stories are woven together through settings and characters around life in New Zealand. Each story is very character driven as we are given a peek into their lives and what brought them to this place. Many of the stories share sacrifices and mistakes made. A few will fill you with sadness. One story even uses a mythical creature to carryout the character's final moments. The final story is written by a guest writer, Shelly Davies. She brings in the Native American piece and builds upon one of the previous stories, tying them together.

Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read. Since I read this on my kindle, it wasn't as easy to flip back and forth and remind myself of certain characters. You may want to keep a list of characters from each story as you read, since many appear again. Women are the main focus in each story, but there are strong male characters as well, although they will likely make you angry. Burns writes in a way that you can feel the anger, despair, and solitude of the women's lives.

"She would brush the memories of today into a pile, not to be disturbed..."

"She wanted to tell him everything, to wipe away his questions with her spit."

I can't really say that I had a favorite of the stories, but I found "Dottie" to be one that I am still thinking about. In "Dottie" a lonely widow becomes a place for unwed mothers to leave their babies, hoping to return with they can get back on their feet. Unfortunately, there are no babies when they return. "Dottie" tells the story of a woman who tells herself she is doing a good thing, a baby fighting back against her destiny, and a community who can't believe the kind of woman she was.

If you like short stories or historical fiction then I would expect you to enjoy this collection. It is a quick read, but you could also read each story at your leisure, especially if you keep a list of characters. The stories are a bit depressing, but you will be able to find a slivers of hope.

The Settling Earth by Rebecca Burns is a thought provoking collection of ten short stories set in the 1800s in New Zealand. The stories deal with the roles of and issues facing the women settlers and expertly render the New Zealand setting. Even in a few short pages, each story captures depth of character and emotion. Several leave you with the decision – What would you do next?

Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2015/01/the-settling-earth.html

Reviewed based on a galley received through NetGalley

A former editor of ATLANTA magazine has written a fascinating bit of microhistory about the death and burial of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how Atlanta handled it (quite well, all things considered.) Both the Black and white Establishments in Atlanta cooperated to support the King family, keep the city from erupting in the riots that marred other cities' mourning, and to honor a native son. Burns has done a lot of research and although I lived through this period (not in Atlanta) I learned a lot of things I hadn't known about what went on.

Reading this book brought back a lot of memories, of how jubilation at Lyndon Johnson's announcement that he would not run for President again turned to shock and sorrow just a few days later. Morris Abram, President of Brandeis during some of my time there, is referenced in the book, along with many other familiar names from those times. However, the book is also detailed enough that those who did not live through the 60s could read it without too much confusion. It's a fairly quick read and well worth spending a couple of hours with. Recommended.

This book was soul stirring. The author has you walking along side as the minutes and days unfold once Martin Luther was shot. So many parallel items were going on at that time. Vietnam, presidental election, race relations, all were muted as a result of the shooting. This is a oral history mixed in with fact on a little known section of the Civil Rights Movement. As the date gets closer to the funeral, you realize the major shift and impact his deathhad on so many people. What enchanced the story even more was unpublished photos of the week of the funeral. And how life went on in the civil rights movement after the funeral. It is incredible how one funeral immpacted someone so profoundly that their impact still has a effect on African Americans today. I am thrilled that this book was written. I wish I could shout from a mountain top and tell everyone to read this book.