Word Soup: Year One 
Review by Sofie Fowler.
Word Soup: Year One is a collection of poems and short stories by writers based in the North West. The book represents a small portion of the work that has been on offer during a year of Word Soup, a monthly live literature night at The Continental on South Meadow Lane in Preston. The book features a selection of short stories and poetry that showcases the talent and skill of the writers.
Mollie Baxter’s Five Rooms is a beautiful comment on domestic life. Mollie skillfully utilises repetition to express tedium but also explores the theme of security in routine. The pace is fluid and the detail creates a very believable setting.
A philosophical story from Peter Wild with Upon a Rock. A clever use of the extended metaphor to suggest the daily grind of life and the uphill struggle that it presents. Upon a Rock is an exploration of regret and determination to shed that regret.
Tom Fletcher comments on the rituals that people employ whilst travelling on public transport in The Best Seat. A very descriptive and realistic piece that uses minor details to make observations on human behaviour. At first the story is very innocuous but moves seamlessly into the unnerving.
Rachel McGladdery’s “Little Clock” is a heart wrenching poem of motherhood. Rachel has a frank style that explores memories and scenes with poignancy.
Ambition is a very surreal story from Socrates Adams that has a strong emphasis on waiting and what one can achieve whilst doing so. He looks at human emotion and the power of imagination.
Norman Hadley offers two poems. The first, “Pity Friend”, is very short but illuminating. His second poem, “The Mardale Dive”, tells of two divers exploring the village of Mardale, flooded in the 1930s to create a reservoir. His descriptive writing conjures the feeling of an otherworldly setting.
“A Blizzard of Knives” is an excerpt from A.J. Duggan’s novel Scars Beneath the Skin. An atmospheric piece that conjures the reality of a disaster through excellent descriptive sound and images. The gruesome account of devastation is graphically realistic.
Two poems by Sarah Hymas, both paint a very strong visual image. “An Incorruptible Aura” contains vibrant use of colour to evoke emotion. “I Have Great Desire. My Desire Is Great” presents the theme of a beautiful scene marred by human thoughtlessness.
Sandy Calico’s My Old Man is a story of the relationship between father and daughter. Sandy explores various memories at points in her life, the moments between herself and her father are described in an honest and endearing way. A touching comment on the reversal of roles as age overcomes our parents.
J.A. Brunning’s Dragon is told from the perspective of a little girl. This story has a fantasy adventure element that is gripping. The threat to the girl is very real, evoking empathy with great skill. What stands out in this piece is the ending; intelligent and redolent.
Nicholas Royle looks at the pain of memories and loss in Snap. As this wonderfully paced tale unfolds, it reveals the protagonist’s motivations, drawing the story out into an agonising suspense that complements the theme.
Also included in Word Soup Year One is a selection of images from Garry Cook’s photo documentary “Outsiders”. These portrait photographs explore characters who are misrepresented or misunderstood. Intriguing and visually poignant, they are a welcome addition to a book that offers a wealth of talent from the North West.
Review by Sofie Fowler.
Sofie’s website is here: www.sofiefowler.com
Word Soup: Year One is available from the Lancashire Writing Hub, price £3.50.
To order your copy, email Jane at writing@theyeatculture.org
It’s great that Wordsoup 1 has been reviewed – thanks Sofie!
Not a problem Mollie. It was a joy to read and I think your piece was a fantastic start to the collection.
Hi will there be a 2011 edition of the word soup collections i feel i was notified about word soup preety late in my time in preston i am 29 now and have been writing for a few yrs and only found out about word soup feb 2011 I didn’t take part in previous yrs because i wasn’t aware of it, i took part a couple of times in the early months 2011 and since september 2011 I have moved to SE london and no longer able to attend and take part i still continue to add to ‘your writing’ and welcome the comments but it would be great to get a piece of mine in the next edition of word soup collection 2011…please i would be greatful for your reply please feel free to contact me on my personal email jboss@hotmail.co.uk
P.S i lived in preston since i was 5
Hi Joe, we’re not planning another publication at present, but when we do, you’ll be the first to know! We loved having you at Word Soup and it’s great that you are staying in touch with us all oop North Joe!
Best wishes,
Jane