Mischief: Fay Weldon Selects Her Best Short Stories

I have always been a great fan of Fay Weldon. She writes with such verve and exposes the truth about relationships in a witty but wise way without ever being didactic or preachy. You recognize yourself and half your friends and are forced to laugh at your own complicity in the real dilemmas facing modern women in particular and people in general. If there has been any change in the relationships between the sexes, I believe she can take much of the credit for bringing it about. I loved the "TED" story. It's a skillful presentation and perhaps debunking of so many of the cults, crazy ideas, futuristic sciences, wacky beliefs and everything else which make up our modern world, picking up the psycho babble and pseudo philosophizing we see so much of and yet with a vein of absolute common sense permeating its entire fabric. It is amusing, irreverent and illuminating and of course beautifully written as always.

Author Fay Weldon has always been my firm favourite. She began her career in the late sixties; a time when I reached `grown up' reading independence. Here she has personally chosen a big fat book full of short stories, from her half a dozen writing decades, for this truly great collection, plus a quirky futuristic novella "Ted Dreams'. I didn't really enjoy that as much as the stories, it seems too off the wall and lost its way rather. This was an exploration of what might be a future preoccupation with what is possible in the way of immortality, using a woman with powers of perception, communication with other dimensions and the unfortunate ability to hear what others are thinking from time to time.There is also, in the kindle version anyway, a long taster section from her, set in early last century, trilogy 'Habits of the House' trilogy and a lovely run through all Fay's previous books, including an omnibus version which would be a pleasure to have.Over the last half century plus, her quirky views and sharp observation of the positions women get themselves into has turned Fay into a best friend to her readers, someone who sees that the Emperor is definitely naked. Here she does make mad Mischief with a twinkle in her eye; men, what are they like? Dominating iron fists in velvet gloves, eccentric, blinkered self- centred, bullying, stupid even, how do they get away with it? Will they, though? There is often a solution and you cheer for the girls who get out.Her trademark confiding, tolerant tone, her sometimes breathless, quick delivery, the short sentences, the exclamation marks, wow, she hits the mark. She fizzes with naughtiness, and is the best kind of company. You may have read some of these already, never mind, and some might leave you wondering at the changes we have all lived through. You can't read them all in a row, you need a deep breath and a break between each vignette. Take one at bedtime, for something to think about!

I love it ,love it, love it!! I love ALL of Fay Weldon's stories and novels...and was just getting desperate to find one I have not yet read, when I happily discovered this collection of short stories, which includes the fascinating and quirkily amusing novella "The Ted Dreams". What more can one say...if it's Fay Weldon--- it's, as always, brilliant!

Very good indeed. Like the Author very much. Have read most of her Novels.

It was actually a book club choice so inevitably it wasn't to everyone's taste. Interesting however that it showcased how the author's writing style developed over the years that she documented and included in her short stories.

Fay Weldon at her best!

An attractive compilation of Fay Weldon's classic stories, along with the rather exploratory sci-fi/mystery/social commentary novella, the Ted Dreams. As a sampler, the book could make an attractive gift.

Excellent

I adore Ms. Weldon, and have for years. Reading these stories is like a trip down memory lane.

her writing always has that suggestion of uncertainty , which makes me a little on edge , so i don't get bored . Love short stories as often i get interrupted & can easily pick uo threads. Reccomend this book , like most of her's. These stories are slanted against male poor behaviour & then justice for women

Overly reliant , to my taste, on the paranormal but a quick easy read.

The usual amusing but true read.