Book Review-The Last Star and other Stories By DL Orton

The author is a collector of moments, a creator of new vistas.

Every minute of our lives is a story, every living second adds up to making us what we are today. Some we recall, most we forget. The author seems to remember them all. From not just her own point of view, but others’ as well! This book is part fiction and part true story. The stories are heartwarming and poignant nonetheless.

It is a bit like trying to stand still in ankle deep water on the banks of a fast flowing river. She captures passing thoughts revealing the human vulnerability beneath. Our thoughts, feelings and memories don’t have a language when in our heads, the author gives them one in the book. As we read along, the reader becomes that fly on the wall watching seemingly everyday situations unfold, revealing connections at multiple levels be it situations, emotions, like and dislikes, habits or moods.

Like in ‘The Last Star’, A story with vivid descriptions draws a unique picture as imagination runs amok and creates fantasies of companionships with no time and space limitations. Of going beyond the known, where nothing really needs to end. Or is it that every end is a new beginning?

Or the ‘My kingdom for a double expresso’ which could be the morning kitchen conversation while brewing the first coffee, in any home in the world.

Or ‘Down in flames’ which brings forward the unseen personal pain in the context of global terrorism.

‘An Idiot’s guide…’ I plan to re-read this piece when I need to get my book reviewed!

A couple of simple poetry just adds variety to the collection.

The book is a light read that runs into deep emotions. She uses easy language in uneasy situations and uncomfortable experiences, and never fails to end the stories on a positive note, a hand extended in understanding and empathy, in some cases.

This is an author who doesn’t seem to care too much about maintaining a mysterious distance between herself, her writing and her readers! An aspect I found unexpected and refreshing. It made me feel that here was another person somewhere at the other end of the world, just like me!

This is a book of short stories written in immensely readable, everyday ‘lexicon’.

I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple ‘comfort’ read - one story a day with a cup of coffee maybe? And come back the next day same time for another one or maybe to read the earlier one again.

Thank you Book tasters and the author for sending me a copy.

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Originally published in 2017