The Fish Tank: And Other Short Stories

The Fish Tank and Other Short Stories is an impressive introduction to Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra's writing. It's rare I can equally highly appreciate every story in a short story collection - usually there's at least one or two which don't work so well for me - but that is absolutely not the case here. In her opening Note To The Reader, Alonso-Sierra states that "With short stories, a writer has to gut punch the reader immediately ... Characters must be real from the first words spoken. Conflict must be intense, almost at the climax point, and the resolution finished sometimes subtly, sometimes shockingly, and sometimes not necessarily as a happily ever after." Strong words, I thought, and then was delighted to discover that, story after story, Alonso-Sierra takes her own advice seriously, delivering brilliantly on every point.My favourite stories are both from the Soul Songs quartet in which we get inside views of life with Castro's Cuba and for emigrant Cubans who have fled their country. I could easily understand why The Fish Tank is an award winner and A Day in the Life of Benito José Fuentes was also a standout tale for me. Alonso-Sierra portrays a much darker reality than, say, Teresa Dovalpage, with the menace from both Castro's police and from American border staff leaping vividly from the page. On a completely different yet equally as scary note, supernatural horror story Into The Light would make a perfect Halloween read. The Fish Tank and Other Short Stories is a concise collection of just nine tales, but it is one that I am very happy to recommend widely. It's well worth a reader's attention especially at its ridiculously low ebook price!

Two things.One, I am a hard person to please when it comes to reading.You see, I don't much care for populist stories, they are all a bit same-old, same-old. They tend to pander to the lowest common denominator in a sad and futile race which only serves to brace the writer's ego.I look for more, much more. I want stories written from an interesting perspective, ones which touch the soul, stimulate the mind and provoke thought. Elements so often overlooked in favour of the mindless banality which tends to pass for entertainment.Secondly, I rarely write reviews.I will only mention a book if I think it worthy and, therefore, think I have put pen to paper this way only four times in at least as many years.Consequently, it is not without reason I write this article, call it a review if you wish, about a book called The Fish Tank & other short stories, written by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra.I first came across this book whilst editing 'The List', an annual recommended reading list published by CQ International. The cover of The Fish Tank, which is designed by Scott Carpenter, grabbed my immediate attention exactly as a good cover should.A little later, I was asked by an author friend if I would read an ARC. I did, hence this rambling account.I was intrigued by the first tale, Jerrys gift, which 'sort of' sets the feeling for the entire book. I say 'sort of' because the ambience of each unfolding story moodily fluctuates while continuing the ambience of haunting hope interwoven with a lingering sadness of passing.The title tale, The Fish Tank, brings to life the stark reality of the authors experience as a child leaving Castro's Cuba for a life in exile.Maria has captured the trepidation and anxiety of both mother and daughter in the final moments before their (possible?) departure.After reading The Fish Tank, I understand Maria's statement about writing these short stories, "I never suspected creating the short stories would tear at the scab protecting a deep wound I still harbour in my heart, one that will not quite properly heal."Each story is narrated beautifully; the well-paced revealing of the characters and their situations makes each tale a joy to read, easily flowing from start to the end.Reading this book allowed me to glimpse into people's personal and private lives, to live with them as they feared for what the next day, the next hour may bring and, I felt the subdued passion of hope, as the teasing dreams of a better future dangle tantalisingly out of reach, just that one little fingertip away from…As I said at the beginning, I am a hard person to please when it comes to reading, so I rarely find a book worthy of writing a review, such as this.Enough said.

Well written easy to read, although I could not relate to many of the stories it didn't stop me finishing the book.In my opinion the last two stories a ghost hunt in a museum of oddities and the murder mystery story were by far the best in the collection

We are proud to announce that FISH TANK: and Other Short Stories by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

I adored these stories because they were so compelling, so different, and I was gripped by everyone. In fact it is difficult to say which one was my favourite. I could name them all for different reasons.Compelling collection and a must read.