An accomplished liar who finally faces the truth about herself. A self-conscious lawyer who must quell her secret crush on her best friend’s fiancé. A stray dog that heals the hurt of his rescuers. A food critic who makes a startling discovery while reviewing a stylish bistro. A young widow who finds hope in the discarded wedding veil that floats out of a truck, and lands at her feet. With …
With these, and other tales of love, regret and hope, The Liar and other stories will make you laugh, cry, and marvel at the strength of the human spirit.
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THE LIAR AND OTHER STORIES is a wonderful collection of hopeful and heart-warming short stories by Alison Ragsdale. Having read some of her beautifully-written full-length novels, I knew that her short stories would not disappoint. Each story has a different theme, but they all have elements of love, regret and hope for the future. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and the varied settings and found myself wanting more at the end of each compelling story. This thought-provoking collection of stories remains on my mind long after turning the last page. I look forward to whatever comes next from Alison Ragsdale.
Alison Ragsdale’s beautiful writing talent comes through in each and every short story in this very diverse collection. I found myself absorbed in the scenarios of each vignette and the very deep emotions that I felt reading them. The stories are written with great descriptive detail and vivid imagery that drew me right into every one. Even though the stories are short, they all hooked me from the very first paragraph. It was so easy to pick up the book and read a story or two and then be content with what I read knowing the next time I opened it, I’d have a new story to experience. There were some stories that Ms. Ragsdale let me imagine what I would like the ending to be. Then another with a heart warming ending from an unexpected reason. Even one story with the “thoughts” and “feelings” of a inanimate object. I felt like I became that object with the way she brought out it’s purpose and all the possibilities it could have been. She pulled at my imagination strings! Amazing!
I really enjoy Ms. Ragsdale’s books and this one is like a combination of all things good she writes. It’s one that as I read the stories, I wasn’t sure what I would feel. From highs to lows, from happy to sad, from hopeless to hope, there’s so much in this little book. It’s packed! I loved reading it! It was an honor and great experience to read these heart tugging, emotional and fantastic stories in this collection. Well done, Ms. Ragsdale! Thank you!!
I want to thank Alison Ragsdale for the ebook copy of her wonderful collection. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own. A 105 short story stars! Five for each one!
It’s hard to write a review on short stories because you want to talk about each story individually, and we’d be here forever! So let me tell you just a few things about this book.
The Liar and other Stories is just a small book at only about 120 pages, and is filled with 21 short stores about life, love, depression and indignation. You name the emotion and Allison has addressed it. You can devour the book in one sitting or carry it around with you to grab a story while you wait somewhere, as each story is only 2-3 pages long. The novel is written with Allison’s usual poignant tone, with characters that are so relatable they can be your own family or neighbors. Allison has the uncanny ability to write emotion like no other, because even as these stories are short, you still feel every moment right along with the characters as if you were there, so prepare yourself to become attached to some of the individuals rather quickly. Then prepare yourself to say good-bye just as quick, as this is the only unfortunate side of short tales. Addressing so many different issues, in so many different ways, Allison has written a heartwarming and uplifting book of stories that give you just a little hope right when we need it the most. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars.
Alison Ragsdale, author of “The Liar and Other Stories” has written a collection of memorable, entertaining, and thought-provoking short stories. I enjoyed each and every story, and my only wish is that they were longer. I would love to see some become novellas or novels.
I love the way that Alison Ragsdale vividly describes her characters, events, scenery, and landscape in each story. This is a perfect book during this crisis that we are having for the reader that enjoys “snippets” or a variety of characters. I would highly recommend this collection.
The Liar and Other Short Stories is a wonderful collection of short stories that are heartwarming and at times sad. You can read the whole book in one sitting or enjoy stories before bed, early morning or just to take a midday break.
I really enjoyed each story and have already reread a few.
I recommend picking up a copy to read.
Book Review:
The Liar and Other Short Stories by author, Alison Ragsdale
Expected Release: May 2020
The Short Story~ “focuses on the incidents bigger or smaller and evokes strong feelings from it’s readers.” Ms. Ragsdale’s “little book” of short stories has hit the mark. A collection that brings a liveliness to the emotions as it finds it’s way into the heart and soul of its reader.
Each story is brought forth with unyielding tenderness, warmth and purpose to its characters and their unique journeys in life, which all lead to an experience of unwavering delight.
Although each of these shorts has its own distinct personality, Ms. Ragsdale has woven these stories into an adventure of the human spirit… A fun, lovable, relatable and entertaining read that will impress.
5 Stars
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Alison Ragsdale has written a delightful collection of short stories that capture special moments in different characters’ lives… I highly recommend The Liar and Other Stories for quiet times of reflection.
Life and all of its remarkable facets are captured by Alison Ragsdale in “The Liar and other stories”. There is so much hope and warmth pouring out onto these pages!
Each story has it’s very own heartbeat!
Ultimately, You will be moved!
Don’t miss this glimpse into Alison Ragsdale’s thoughts!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Reading this book is like enjoying a tin of British biscuits! Each story is unique and delicious! Alison Ragsdale is a masterful storyteller. Five stars all the way!
Review of “the liar and other stories” by Alison Ragsdale
Five Stars
Not even a migraine could stop me reading this book today! With each little story you’re left wanting more. Exemplary prose! My favorite short story was “The Book” as it simply made me smile. Once again, Alison transports you to the setting in each of her stories causing you to feel every emotion her characters are having at that precise moment. I highly recommend this book.
The collection could be savored one story at a time or devoured in one single sitting over a cup of tea, which was exactly what I did. The collection includes a variety of tales that are smart, funny, witty, some heart wrenching, and heartfelt but all very hopeful and positive.
The stories include a woman faces with the truth about her lies stemming from childhood; a woman who lived as if it were her last only to die so young from a deadly aneurysm with no regrets, despite going against her parents’ advice to settle down and focus on school and career; a couple who rescues a neglected dog whose hearts end up being the one rescued; coal miners in the early 1900’s stuck in a pit feeling the hopelessness in darkness; and the woman whose father left too soon and for once did something for herself she so well deserved.
All of these stories were so comforting and reading these short stories felt like a warm hug from a friend I much needed during these times of uncertainty. I am grateful to have read this amazing book.
Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Liar and Other Stories
By: Alison Ragsdale
REVIEW
Short story collections used to intrest me not at all. Then, I gave them a fighting chance, and I was surprised how much I actually did like short stories. The Liar and Other Stories is a compendium of twenty one stories, each one just a few pages, and is a fascinating read that flies by so quickly. The stories vary widely in content but share some common threads, such as the acceptance of a loss and moving on, journeys both physical and emotional and beginnings and endings. I enjoyed each one for its own merits because every selection had wisdom to impart. My personal favorites include The Hedonist, Melange, Homeless, Obscurity and Whim. With apt, but not overdone, descriptions, compelling relatable characters and conversational dialogue, this collection is easy to read. More importantly, though, The Liar and Other Stories has all the feels from happiness to grief with hope wedged in the middle. In short, no pun intended, these short stories highlight the spectrum of the human condition and remain in your mind long after the reading is done. Whether you enjoy short stories or not, I recommend this book for everyone.
The Liar and Other Stories by Alison Ragsdale is a wonderful book of short stories. Each story is only 2 to 5 pages long. Even though the stories were short, I found myself invested in the characters. A few of the stories would make a great book. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Liar: A woman who realizes she has always lied.
The Hedonist :An artist who loved to travel finally married her boyfriend after 5 years of him asking to get married.
Sweet Jane: A husband keeps his illness from his wife.
Florence: A wife realizes her husband is opinionated and controlling.
As I look through the book again, I realize that I truly loved all the short stories. They are stories of regret, hope and love. You can read these stories all at once like I did or read one a day. You will not be disappointed. Thank you to Alison Ragsdale
for a copy of this wonderful book.