10 Dec 2008
by nylusmilk
in Short Stories
I figured since the yuletide season is here, I’d link to you a Christmas short story. I tried reading it for myself but failed after several attempts. 
So much for being a reader, huh? I think it’s the screen that turns me off! So many words… 
Anyway, if you’re looking for a Christmas story, head over to Raincoaster’s blog for it. She highly recommended it, so I think it should be a good read if you have the patience and if screen glare doesn’t bother you too much. 
Do you know of any other Christmassy short stories? I would love a link to it very much!
12 Mar 2008
by nylusmilk
in Lists, Reading, Short Stories
Very Short Stories II
Six-Word Memoirs: The Legend
Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Last year, SMITH Magazine re-ignited the recountre by asking our readers for their own six-word memoirs. They sent in short life stories in droves, from the bittersweet (“Cursed with cancer, blessed with friends”) and poignant (“I still make coffee for two”) to the inspirational (“Business school? Bah! Pop music? Hurrah”) and hilarious (“I like big butts, can’t lie”).
Six 6-word stories I saw that I liked:
1. Foetus, son, brother, husband, father, vegetable.
Dick Hadfield
2. Head in books, feet in flowers.
Heather Thomson
3. Wrong era ,Wrong Class, Wrong Gender.
Patsy Wheatcroft
4. Not quite finished, tell you later.
Dave Nicholson
5. Worry about tomorrow, rarely enjoy today!
Richard Rabone
6. I’m just happy to be here!
Graham Marsh
20 Sep 2007
by nylusmilk
in Books, Non-fiction, Reviews, Short Stories
Yvonne Foong was born and raised in Malaysia. She enjoys writing, reading and devoting her time to charitable causes and social developments. She has done freelance assignments for newspapers and magazines.
Yvonne Foong maintains a website at www.yvonnefoong.com.
The book in one sentence: Life with Neurofibromatosis, the Cliffsnotes version.
Who would you recommend it to: Anyone; it’s a thin book, so there shouldn’t be excuses for not reading it!
OK bits: The parts where she talks about the illness and the brief description about her life.
Boring bits: Not so much boring as the feeling of a chapter in her life not adequately elaborated.
Random review quote:
“Yvonne has shown us all that it takes more than disability to stop us from chasing our dreams.” — Tremayne Heah, ASEAN scholar
Verdict: Despite her age, the author has gone through so much more than her peers. Sadly, this is not reflected in her autobiography. She chronicles her life with NF far more thoroughly and entertainingly in her blog (see website address above). That said, there is appeal in a simple and short but interesting story as this is.
15 Aug 2007
by nylusmilk
in Short Stories
Heidi Munan was born in Switzerland and educated in New Zealand. A graduate post-primary teacher, she has lived in Sarawak since 1965.
Heidi Munan is fond of reading, particularly old books about the history and geography of Southeast Asia. When her children were young, their grandmother used to tell them stories; this developed the author’s interest in folk tales. She has written books about the daily life, customs, arts and handicrafts of her home state.
Heidi Munan does research at the Sarawak Museum. She is a regular contributor to national and foreign newspapers and publications, including the MAS inflight magazine Going Places.
Opening lines:
The small town of Dalat lies on the Oya River. It is a peaceful, pretty place. The people there farm and fish and work all week. At festival time they have fun and visit each other’s houses.
Last lines:
And so it happened. Nobody talks about the war between brothers and the blood in the streets nowadays. But the people of Dalat know the value of peace and friendship. They have never forgotten.
How Dalat got its name:
“This was once a happy village. Now it is a place of death. Blood was spilt in the village street. The smell of death is in the air. Black flies are everywhere. I will call this village Dalat, flies, so nobody shall ever forget!”
The layman’s plot: Village Chief dies without naming his successor among three sons. Wise Eldest Son should be chief by custom, but Brave Second Son challenges the rule and tries to take over. This family conflict causes a divide in the village. Will enemies take advantage of the situation?
Verdict: Simple folk tale, with its typical moral ending. But a nice quick read nevertheless.
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