Jane Doilly

Smashwords book reviews by Jane Doilly

  • Our Name Wasn't Written - A Malta Memoir (1936-1943) on May 26, 2011

    This is a fascinating book. Written by a mother during WWII in Malta it shows her hopes and fears as she tries to survive as a naval wife during the worst part of the 'blitz' on Malta. Rewritten by her daughter and son later, they have added their own reminiscences and also provided a historical context to their Mother's story. This provides a wealth of both personal and historical information. Well written, well edited, it is a great read for anyone interested in the ordinary-person's eyewitness accounts of events in Malta during WWII. My only criticism is that at times it is apparent that the author (while obviously intelligent) isn't well educated. Her writing is simple rather than literary. I guess this adds a realism that literary works sometimes don't provide.
  • The Umbrella's Shade and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Short Story Award on Oct. 24, 2011

    Delightful! More please.
  • The Darkness Unseen on Nov. 21, 2011

    Rarely do I bother to write expletives, but there is only one word for this short story ā€” "Garbage." Spelling is poor. Grammar is non-existent. Plot is rubbish. Gives e-books a bad name.
  • When Is Ever After? on Nov. 21, 2011

    Neat little story. Spelling needs some work but generally quite nice. It made me smile. I know a person like this. I think the story could be longer and the character a little more developed.
  • The Heat Wave of '76 and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Erotic Fiction Award on Nov. 21, 2011

    I've sampled many of the free erotic e-books on Smashwords and I am generally disappointed. They simply are porn and not erotica. I finally girded my loins and paid out my cash and bought an anthology. Well, you get what you pay for. This is an erotic book. There are a few stories that are somewhat pornographic, but as a whole there is something for everyone. "Sergei" is sizzling and "Presque Vu" is not only erotic but also brings tears to one's eyes. A highly recommended collection. I'd rate this 4.5 stars, but I can't, so I shall simply rate it four.
  • Yesterday, I died (The Devil's Forge) on March 28, 2012

    Terrific little story. It raises some fascinating issues. Great work.
  • The Old Man And The Sea Monster on March 28, 2012

    I do like your stories ā€” they make me think. Well written, good grammar, nice layout. Excellent e-book.
  • Between Heaven & Hell and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Flash Fiction Award on March 28, 2012

    Finding good stuff on Smashwords is a bit hit and miss these days but I do like Stringybark material and this book is no exception. A wide range of stories covering a wide range of subjects. Each one competently written and thought-provoking. Good work, Stringybark.
  • Hamster Horror on April 15, 2012

    If you like poor grammar, inadequate punctuation and a poor plot then this is the story for you. Oh, and it isn't laid out as a proper e-book.
  • Keep Off The Grass on July 01, 2012

    A delightful idea beautifully told.
  • Marngrook and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Australian History Award on July 01, 2012

    There is a perception that history has to be dull and indeed the introduction to this books also makes this assertion. A shame as history is only dull when written by dull people. Clearly this collection has NOT been written by dull people. Great tales and a wonderful eclectic collection that highlights just how interesting history really is.
  • Those characters In My Head on July 01, 2012

    An interesting story that attempts to explain where some people's writing comes from. Written in the first person it has an autobiographical feel which also makes it seem self-indulgent. I like my stories to tell me something new. This story doesn't do that for me. It is well written and quite poetic, but not my thing.
  • The Battle Of The Ex(s)- A tale of confusion on Sep. 19, 2012

    This is incomprehensible rubbish that is not only poorly written, gramatically incorrect but completely bizarre.
  • The Traveller on Sep. 19, 2012

    Very clever and entertaining. Beaut punchline. Handles the paradoxes of time travel and alternative realities very well and leaves the reader feeling quite discombobulated!
  • A Visit from the Duchess and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Speculative Fiction Award on Sep. 19, 2012

    Very clever and at times disturbing. I felt that all the stories had considerable merit and very well illustrate the depth and breadth of modern speculative fiction. Great value for money.
  • Skirmish on Feb. 21, 2013

    Death, destruction and no context. Bombs explode without any dire consequences for humans but the Lokians are melted into rusty pools. This story is like a cheap Western. Escapism pure and simple with nothing deep or meaty within it to make it satisfying. A few grammar and punctuation errors.
  • Letters Home on Feb. 21, 2013

    A quick read with a light dash of entertainment.
  • The Road Home and Other Award-winning Stories from the Stringybark Short Story Awards on Feb. 21, 2013

    Thirty three very entertaining short stories. All the stories are very different and quite thought provoking.
  • Between the Sheets - Eighteen Short Stories from the Stringybark Erotic Fiction Awards on Feb. 24, 2013

    I've read a few erotic fiction stories now but this collection really is delightful and sexy. I do like Julie Davies story, "Paradise Lost" but there are many other lovely stories too.
  • I Went To Heaven on March 03, 2013

    Two stars for having an idea. Grammar is poor. Plot is non-existent. Patronizing and ridiculous. Next time someone tells you something, believe them? What planet is this person from? "I believe in fairies." According to this author then fairies are real. I believe that Voldemort killed Harry's parents - therefore Voldemort is real. Belief does not create reality.
  • Hitler Did It on March 03, 2013

    A fantastic book of short stories. Each story was different and they all contain some wonderful twists. The title story, "Hitler Did It" is particularly intriguing and the empathy with which the writer writes is quite extraordinary. This is a well edited collection and as an anthology deserves five stars.
  • £3.50 on June 23, 2013

    Riddled with spelling errors, grammatical errors and down right idiocies. Don't bother reading.
  • The Bridge — 21 Short Stories from the Stringybark Fiction Awards on June 23, 2013

    Some smashing stories here and not a zombie in sight! Spencer Ratcliff's short stories are a hoot. Robyn Osborne also produces some great laughs with her story "The Working dog." This is an eclectic collection of wonderful short stories.
  • Yellow Pearl - Eighteen Short Stories from the Stringybark Australian History Awards on Oct. 26, 2014

    Some very evocative tales here, all that bring history out of the dusty pages of leather bound books and makes it real, vibrant and fascinating. Most enjoyable.
  • Valentine's Day on March 06, 2017

    Sexy and fun!
  • Psalms for Christ on March 06, 2017

    I'm really not sure what Zack is trying to do with this little tract. He has written some poems and Haikus to 'honor the perfect God'. I can see how the Haiku: Iā€™m the King of Lust Pray let me be like David God has not given up How does this do any honouring? David had EIGHT wives. Perhaps this is an argument for polygamy. And since when has a 'Perfect God' required honoring'. A perfect God knows that s/he is perfect and thus does not require being told that they are. How patronising of us to tell the perfect God that they are perfect - or is this God a narcissist? If so, then they are not perfect.