It Will Be Quick ~ A Review
Introduction
A single decision can save – or ruin – a life.
An opportunistic baby theft by a young woman in pain. Two strangers shipwrecked on a lifeless rock, unable to speak the same language. An isolated cycling holiday descends into terror. One woman seeks the courage to destroy her life. A miracle unites a community, and teenagers take a stand against hypocrisy.
Karl Drinkwater presents characters to root for – and characters to dread – in sixteen tales of humanity, endurance, and spirit.
Review
Although this book comprises sixteen short stories – perfect for dipping in and out of – I found it hard not to read in a single sitting. Karl’s writing style is compelling, it commands attention from the opening sentence of each piece. His subject matter is diverse, and his characters very human. If I had not known that a single author wrote each entry in this eclectic collection, I would have guessed the contributions were from sixteen equally talented individual writers.
Karl’s stories present a range of situations from the everyday, to the extreme. From the installation of new software, to the fight for survival when lost at sea. And through the myriad settings, he creates stories rich in descriptive narrative, inviting readers to join the characters and share their experiences.
It’s hard to pick a favourite. Each has something to connect with, sentiments to share, feelings to evoke. I guessed from the intensity of one or two pieces that Karl is a fellow vegan. While one story was particularly hard to read, the depth of understanding of the protagonist’s state of mind is incredible. It also shows a deep empathy in the hands of the author, who has crafted such a believable and chilling personality.
Another story describes the feelings and emotions of the journey through pregnancy and childbirth better than many of the parenting handbooks I’ve come across.
Karl closes the book with author’s notes on each story, providing an interesting conclusion to the collection. If you enjoy short stories which offer thoughtful escapism, diversity of character, and moral mazes, I recommend this book. If you’re not sure, try it anyway. It’s well worth the time to read. Whether you cheer or fear the characters, they will stay with you long after you read the last page.
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About the Author
Karl Drinkwater writes thrilling SF, suspenseful horror, and contemporary literary fiction. Whichever you pick you’ll find interesting and authentic characters, clever and compelling plots, and believable worlds.
Karl has lived in many places but now calls Scotland his home. He’s an ex-librarian with degrees in English, Classics, and Information Science. He also studied astrophysics for a year at university, surprising himself by winning a prize for “Outstanding Performance”. Karl is an active member of the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA), the Horror Writers Association (HWA), and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
When he isn’t writing he loves guitars, exercise, computer and board games, nature, and vegan cake. Not necessarily in that order.
Connect with Karl online:
Website
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Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for hosting this book tour, and offering me the chance to review It Will Be Quick. Thank you to Karl Drinkwater for gifting me a copy of the book, in return for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
