I was not prepared to like this anthology as much as I did, but The Front Step by Roly Andrews delivers a delightful collection of short stories that cover a wide range of topics, from love and loss to murder and revenge. The collection features three sections: Tales from Home, Tales from Away, and Tales from the Dark.
In Tales from Home, the stories show the human spirit and hope, and some delightful points of view from the most obscure characters possible. My favorite in this collection, and perhaps of the whole book, was “Uncle Gregory”, told from the viewpoint of a very old elm tree as it reflects on the passing of time, both with joy and sorrow, as it faces a threat to its end.
Then, Tales from Away takes the reader into stories that blend mundane with mystical, showing how each of the characters’ lives is intertwined with outside forces. In my opinion, “Tingle” was the jewel of this section, featuring a heart-wrenching story of a little girl with a different perspective of reality through the eyes of her disability.
Tales from the Dark presents a collection of stories that delve into the dark side of the human spirit, with minimal supernatural intervention. Each story provides a different view of how twisted the human mind can be when left unchecked. Among these, my personal favorite was “Dust”, an odd story of redemption after a dark turn.
What I enjoyed most about these stories was the fact that I could pick up the book at any time, select a story, and thoroughly enjoy it. Each one was an appetizer for the mind, and sometimes the soul. Andrews’ writing is engaging and rich, though I did find myself looking up more than a few words the author used due to my lack of knowledge of New Zealand-specific terms and slang.
This is a book that offers emotional depth, striking creativity, and a perfect balance of light and dark. I’d recommend keeping it on your coffee or bedside table so you can dip into it whenever you’re in the mood, maybe with a cozy cup of tea or even a stiff drink. It’s the kind of read that’s perfect for those little moments of escape.
Many thanks to the author Roly Andrews for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Linda
Roly Andrews Storyteller 