By Kevin O'Flaherty (author)
"All stories are thoroughly enjoyable, thought provoking and enlightening and I would love to read more short stories from this talented author."
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This is a delightful collection of four short stories by Kevin O’Flaherty. The common themes throughout are reflection, choice and outcome made by fictional characters in a variety of geographical locations. Each story is a modern parable demonstrating the triumphs and flaws of human nature. The four stories are set in the locations of Tucuman, Argentina, the Basque region of Spain, Gloucester and the west coast of Ireland.
In Argentina, the story is set around James as he travels from New York to Tucuman to seek fulfilling work of building a health care centre. It describes how he develops relationships with both his pen-pal, Sofia and her friend Claudia, as well as detailing how he settles into his new job. The Spanish tale highlights the travels of Liam, a kitchen worker from Dublin moving to Durango, in the Basque Country of Spain.
We learn that Liam is a mature assistant teacher of English and the story focuses on how he struggles to overcome his insecurities during his time in Spain. The third story revolves around a group of secondary school pupils in Gloucester and examines the angst of forming relationships in teenage years.
The final story highlights how a young man, Connor, leaves his family and job in the USA, and travels back to his homeland of Ireland in an attempt to experience an alternative lifestyle. In all of these stories, the author demonstrates exceptional perception of human behaviour, subtly highlighting many traits - both good and bad.
He cleverly develops his characters which allows us to gain an insight and understanding of their actions, and indeed it is the evolution of his characters which makes these stories such beguiling reads. All stories are thoroughly enjoyable, thought provoking and enlightening and I would love to read more short stories from this talented author.
Kathryn Carruthers, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
A collection of four short stories about the protagonist at the crossroads of life. Stories of self-determination, human struggle and redemption. 1. The Garden of the Republic: An impulsive New Yorker, who is bored with his life decides to join an NGO to build a heath clinic in Tucuman, Argentina.
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Once there, he learns about the Dirty War whilst his vices get him into trouble. 2. Zabalburu Urkia. An Irishman, with slight disabilities sees his life pass by him.
He takes a chances to teach English in the Basque Country, Spain. There, he hears about the hidden Basque treasure. 3. The Bells of Gloucester: Two young lads, best friends since childhood, slowly drift apart as their path takes them to different roads.
It's a story about redemption and the pressure to fit in groups. 4. Celtic Verde: A philosophical tale about the constant changes of life. The characters represent human vices and virtues-hope, selfishness, purity, life and death.
Connor, an American with Irish heritage thinks adolescence would last forever, as an adult he learns how hard life is. He goes to Ireland to look for work, when it doesn't work out, he gets tempted to make a wish at an ancient water well.
A collection of four short stories about the protagonist at the crossroads of life. Stories of self-determination, human struggle and redemption. 1.
Short Stories from Faraway Places features in the following genres: Indie Author Books , Indie Books We Love, Recommendations
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Short Stories from Faraway Places was written by Kevin O'Flaherty and published by Kevin O'Flaherty
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