06/50: Why Don't You Stop Talking by Jackie Kay
Jackie Kay is easily one of my new favourite writers. Like Sherman Alexie, she is a great storyteller because she SHOWS readers a story and lets them interpret it. This is really refreshing because authors so often get into the habit of wanting to TELL you EVERYTHING -- which isn't nearly as fun, in my opinion.
Anyway, I didn't love "Why Don't You Stop Talking" any more or less than "Trumpet"; they're about tied right now for my affection. "Why Don't You..." is a collection of short stories centering around themes of aging, sexuality, identity and transformation. Some of the stories are very metaphorical and come off to me as surreal, until I stopped being obtuse and understood what Kay was getting at.
What I liked most, I think, were the characters. Like Alexie, Kay creates complex, realistic people instead of caricatures. The reader gets a varied cast of women, but the connecting bond is that they're all going through some sort of change in their lives. Whether it's growing old and facing death, struggling to reconcile the past or finding love and happiness, they're all still strong, confident characters.
I'd strongly recommend this book for mature, female readers. It's a great collection that gives insight to women of all ages.