The Other Side of Here

A Collection of Short Stories and Poems

Fiction - Short Story/Novela
210 Pages
Reviewed on 10/04/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Shuna was born in England and named after an island off the west coast of Scotland. She now lives on an island in the Caribbean with her American husband, an award-winning film director.

Paradise has inspired Shuna to write. When she won first prize in a short story competition it gave her the validation she needed. She writes fiction for adults and children, non-fiction essays about the realities of island life, and occasionally some poetry. "The Other Side of Here" is a collection of her best short stories and poems, all in one convenient place.

She is a graduate of St Andrew's University in Scotland where she studied English and History and has come to the realisation that she's been a writer in hiding for as long as she can remember. She is working on a novel set in the Caribbean.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Love, life, beauty, poignant, short, challenging and wholehearted are just a few words to describe The Other Side of Here: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems by Shuna Meade. Each story stands on its own and, with a few added short poems, creates a balance to the collection. The Other Side of Here: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems by Shuna Meade is a collection of over fifteen messages about life and human nature. Once I opened the book, I found a few stories that spoke to me: A Beginning And An End, Before She Slips Away, Father’s Day 1963, Who Is Ralph?, Next Train and Second Sight; I was hooked at the first bite. As I advanced through the book, each story was better than the previous one.

As I began to read The Other Side of Here, I knew that I had discovered a jewel. It had me on an emotional roller coaster of going up and down with ahhhs to ohhhs. I wanted to embrace each story so I savored the book by reading a few stories a day. This collection of short stories expresses an essence of human nature that we all experience and/or are aware of. If you are looking for love, life, beauty, poignant, short, challenging and wholehearted stories, getting a copy of The Other Side of Here: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems by Shuna Meade will not disappoint.

A. Bonn

I’ve read some of these stories two or three times – more is revealed with each read. Shuna Meade is obviously aware of a lot of unconscious thought that occurs behind our interactions with the world around us.

What emerges form the stories is a strong theme – that of relationships. Not merely between peers but towards ourselves, other generations, our being old or young – even (cleverly) stairs, numbers and the space between portions of food.

michael oyster

Within this soul touching collection the depth of ones own introspective feeling is draw to the surface time and time again. The author is a marvelous individual, sharing through vulnerable courage and in such depth as to allow the reader to personalize to ones self those very feelings. Whether choosing to read again one story or the collection is a difficult choice made easy.

K. J. Simmill

This book is a collection of short stories and poems that have a hint of something beyond what we see. Throughout the stories and poems, this unknown is a constant, in some it is more obvious, in others the story has such a subtle hint that it is almost unnoticeable.

I found I really enjoyed this collection of short stories, I have never really found poetry to be my cup of tea, however I did enjoy the ones found within the book. My favourite stories were A Beginning and an End, Next Train, From Seed, and Song of the Christmas Butterflies. From Seed being my favourite.

I particularly enjoyed how the writing style of the author altered from story to story. I have read a number of books containing short stories written by just one author, and with the exception of Michael Frost and Stewart Bint, I find this talent quite rare amongst the books and works I have read. The styles adopted for each tale fit the story perfectly, and never once did I skip a story because it failed to hold my attention.

I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if they enjoy short stories. I look forward to reading more work from this author, and I thank the person who recommended it to me wholeheartedly.

Ann Chassagnard

Shuna's stories are really excellent. If you like to read about honest emotions and the significance of connections of between people then you will like this collection. Sad, inspiring - human behaviour sympathetically observed.

My particular favourite was 'Father's Day' which I found poignant and surprising.

I think this collection is a great read if you'd like to feel uplifted and encouraged about human nature.

Steven R McCracken

Emotionally resonant collection of short stories and poems revolving around love and loss. Includes some great lines and observations. My personal favourite was 'Pain fractures her face/A lifetime in pieces' from the poem 'Before She Slips Away'. Definitely worth a read.

W Filler

An incredibly diverse collection of stories and poems, each one written from a different, sometimes very unusual, perspective which engages the reader throughout. Vivid settings are established and simple but intriguing story lines develop often with a surprising twist at the end. The interesting viewpoints and conclusions are often thought provoking, making the stories live on in your memory long after you have finished reading them. A beautifully written and rewarding compilation with a common thread. Everyone will find something which "speaks" to them.

Karen Gray

I loved this book. It is well written and full of emotion. Each story was well crafted and left me wanting to read more. The poetry touched an emotional nerve for me and I even had the pleasure of sharing the stories at the back with my children. Fantastic read.

David

Massive variety of stories and themes- even a children's section. A great collection of tales and poems by somebody who obviously writes for the joy of it. Nice work! I'd love to see some of these stories further developed into novellas, please!

H Strasenburgh

Just wanted you to know that I am thoroughly enjoying your very engaging book. I look forward to reading your work for my treat in the evening. It's like a box of chocolates that you want to savor piece by piece and not toss the box down all at once. I find the writing exceptionally good and the ideas and thought that defines the work is both challenging and rewarding. I am so impressed and I thank you once again for sharing it with us.

Jen W

I was most interested and surprised by Steps By George. What a fun turn of a story. Also, I find the theme of the Other Side of Here compelling. The first few stories and poems I found most emotional - the certainly piqued that piece of me. I very much enjoy the framework from which all this comes - definitely a source from which this all flows.