Blue, Selected Short Stories Vol. Two

Review by: Albert Robbins on Aug. 15, 2011 :
Overall Feedback: Wodke does a great job of intertwining multiple short stories to create a book of shorts that intigues and satiates your need as a reader for that escape. Each short gives just enough to make you feel entertained but does not hold back so much that you feel discouraged from continuing to the next story. An interesting fact about the author is that the name Wodke Hawkinson is a combination of the authors (wife/husband team) last name. Perfect for the creative aspect of their work.

Point of View: Interesting enough Wodke gives us the feeling from the main characters view throughout all the stories and only detracts from this a little but not enough to cause alarm.

Voice: Perfect for each story and really draws the reader in to each short as the book unfolds.

Character Development: This could have been an area in the book that could have been easily failed but Wodke does well to develop each character within each short to perfection.

Plot: To define the plot of a collection of shorts is entirely subjective as each short has within itself it's own plot but I feel the author did well to interlace each story with each other to allow the readers to follow each short in itself but draw a bigger picture from the book as a whole.

Dialogue: Without flaw and only ensures the reader is drawn into the story.

Pacing: Wodke does well to push the reader from one story to the next without making the reader feel as if they had a huge pause an needed to get back into the book once again.

Setting: Each short brings about its' own setting and Wodke gives you just enough to drive your imagination into the world they created and you feel and imagine this world as the author first dreamed.

Continuity: Again without flaw, Wodke is excellant at bringing each short together on the grand scheme but allowing each to stand on their own.

Review by: KC Stone on July 11, 2011 :
This amazing set of short stories is sure to be a delightful read for all genres. Wodke Hawkinson expresses different but exceptional writing styles. Page after page, each story will draw you in to the characters, feeling every emotion whether it is the grief and pain of G, Dennis or Blue or the arrogance of Dick Speed.

A few of my favorites…
In, Death Hates His Job, G takes us down a path of the cruelest and dirtiest of jobs. The turmoil that he faces with each visit finally wears at him until he can take now more. But he soon realizes the significance of his role and can fulfill his duties knowing there are angels working with him.
The Deconstruction of Dennis engages your mind into the life of someone who is raging a war with himself. How could something so simple and diminutive take over one’s world to the point of no return? To his family and outsiders, Dennis is being “retarded” and needs to get over his obsession. However, the controlling fear and anxiety is too much for Dennis. What would have happen if someone would have just listened to him… the one person he wanted to please the most… what if?
Blue is the amazing story of a brave little girl named Blue. After being sent to live with the Clappers, Blue is forced to live with the “white trash” that her momma tried to save her from. Living in a home full of uncles, aunts and cousins, this family tree did not have many branches. While finding a small but shameful comfort in her Uncle Jez, Blue learned more of her dead siblings and her of deceased momma. But she also knew that she did not belong in the incestuous Clapper family and with the help of her friend Carmen, she broke free.
I really enjoyed every story and can't wait to read more of Wodke Hawkinson!