Busy weekend – and an encouraging review
- Leela Dutt
- Nov 17
- 2 min read
The sort of Monday when you just want to stay at home with your feet up after such a varied weekend. We heard about children who are taught to mediate in school between their classmates who get into disputes, which is surely an excellent idea – for them, and also for society. Next day we went to half a Quaker Meeting, then walked up the road to some hustings to choose among eight people who want to represent us on the Welsh Senedd; all well-meaning with admirable ideas, some more articulate than others – so I shall vote for the clearest public speakers. Quick dash down to Cardiff Bay to the Norwegian church where most of the family was gathered – only time for a quick hot chocolate there, so I missed an excellent exhibition (which Robin was able to see) about survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki eighty years on. We all went to a brilliant dance show at Dance House (behind the Wales Millenium Centre) of highly talented young people from all over south Wales – truly mind-blowing.
So – back to work, and quite a nice review of FRESH BEGINNINGS, shortened here:
“Fresh Beginnings” by Leela Dutt is an expertly woven assortment of short stories, with bonding being the common denominator across all the stories. Quips here and wisecrack one-liners there, smiles and laughter from readers. A warm story about family ties in an icy blizzard. A story illustrating common primal instincts between man and animal, from the point of view of our closest relatives in the wild, bonobos. A touching tale of new friendships among unlikely people under unforeseen circumstances. A comedy of letters, brimming with hope and confidence, that prods one always to be optimistic about the possibility of fresh beginnings and how there is always light at the end of the tunnel, as long as inhibitions are shed and action taken. A story about post-World War reconciliations illustrating how easily hatred is replaced by love.
A few other stories, some of which revolved around advanced age and the subject of death, presented in a humorous and matter-of-fact tone that certainly wasn’t dark. The author implores the end of life to be taken with a pinch of salt.
The author’s brilliance was in stark display throughout the book, from her writing style to the subtle underarm jibes at stereotypes.
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