Today I want to share with you a rather wonderful collection of short stories which came my way recently. The book is entitled “True North” by Sara Maitland, and it’s released by an indie publisher who’s made regular appearances on the Ramblings – Comma Press. I’ve covered a number of their city-focused anthologies as well as releases by M. John Harrison. However, Maitland is an author new to me and I must admit that I was a little intrigued when Comma approached me about the book.
Sara Maitland has been publishing regularly since her first novel in 1978. She’s written many novels, numerous short story collections, and also produces non-fiction. “True North” is an interesting collection of her short stories, something of a ‘best of’ which serves as a brilliant way to discover to her work. The stories to be included were chosen by friends, colleagues and family members, and it comes with an introduction from her friend, Richard Coles. Containing stories covering the span of her writing career, the collection has an interesting range of topics, too, with a focus on myths and fairy tales, as well as women’s lives and loves.
The book opens with “Moss Witch“, the title of one of her collections, and a striking tale about what happens when humans fail to understand the dangers of nature; “Her Bonxie Boy” deals with the relationship between humans and wild creatures; and “Why I Became a Plumber” delves humorously into the breakup of a marriage, and the fanciful encounter which follows it. Myths are subverted too, with “Andromeda” exploring the Greek myth from the point of view of a woman given no choice about her place in the world; “Rapunzel Revisited” and “Hansel and Gretel” are two touching stories which explore what happens to fairy tale characters after the narrative we know finishes.
Historical stories are here as well; “Claudia Procula Writes a Letter” looks at a significant world event from the point of view of someone who’s just bored with her surroundings; and “The Edwardian Tableau” witnesses a woman risking her future to stand by the views she believes in. Maitland is very good at human relationships as well, with “The Eighth Planet” in particular capturing the nuances of a couple’s gradual growth apart, with the realisation that it might not take much to get them back into sympathy again, although the moment may have passed.
The title story is a dark one, again drawing on a kind of mythological setting where an old woman and a young woman live together in relative harmony in a bleak, isolated landscape. The arrival of a young man will throw things out of balance, and the ending is stark, unpleasant and dramatic.
I have to say that I think Maitland writes beautifully; her prose is elegant, she captures character and place vividly and manages to compress so much into each tale – always the sign of a great short story writer in my view. Her setting can be the wilds of the north or hotter climes; fantasy lands or legendary countries; but they’re all wonderfully drawn. Her main characters are female, whether fairy tale princess or ordinary woman, and each tells her story from an angle which we might not expect. Quirky, thought-provoking and sometimes challenging, many of these stories recast the traditional myths and make you look again at a story you thought you knew well.
Running through the stories is a deep understanding of, and reverence for, the natural world. Whether tree, moss or creature, everything has a part to play. Maitland’s world, however, is one where nature really is red in tooth and claw (whether human or animal) and her riffs on the fairy stories are more Grimm than Disney! “True North” was a thoroughly enjoyable and very immersive book; each story stood out and it was interesting to see the list at the back of who had chosen which story to be included. Despite being drawn from a lifetime’s work, there was a coherence about the narrative voice, an individual and distinctive tone from an expert storyteller. Maitland’s stories will stay with me, and I *am* keen to read more of her work.
(Review copy kindly provided by Comma Press, for which many thanks! Comma also publish Maitland’s collection “Moss Witch”, and her work features in a number of their anthologies)
madamebibilophile
Apr 26, 2024 @ 07:59:30
I’m not familiar with this author at all, and yet she sounds so prolific! This sounds a good place to start with her, as you did.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 26, 2024 @ 10:17:24
I wasn’t either, and looking at her history I can’t understand why I’ve not come across her. On the evidence of this collection, her writing is really strong and I would say this is the perfect place to start!
marietoday
Apr 26, 2024 @ 10:36:59
This sounds like a very interesting collection!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 26, 2024 @ 13:44:46
It really is, and I’m always happy to discover a new author!
Calmgrove
Apr 26, 2024 @ 10:41:01
What a varied but attractive collection of tales and themes – it clearly impressed you and that’s good enough for me!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 26, 2024 @ 13:44:31
The stories really did impress, yes – I loved the way she approached myth and fairy tale, reworking the old stories, and her take on nature is fascinating too.
Margot Kinberg
Apr 26, 2024 @ 12:07:38
What a fascinating-sounding collection! A varied set of themes and premises, but at the same time, with some underlying commonalities like nature. And I’ve always thought short stories are great ways to get to know an author’s work, as you can dip in and out and get a sense of it. Glad you enjoyed this so well!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 26, 2024 @ 13:42:05
It is, Margot, and I loved exploring her work. You’re right about short stories, they’re the perfect introduction to an author and Maitland’s really are excellent.
griffandsarahthomas
Apr 26, 2024 @ 18:59:12
It’s a rare thing for me to have read an author that’s new to you (!) but I have actually read two books by Sara Maitland already: A Book of Silence and How to be Alone (both non fiction). I found them both very thoughtful and I loved the way she writes. I have not read any fiction by her though and hence was intrigued to read your review. These stories on the face of it would not necessarily be something I would go for but, once again, your review has meant I have added to my pending book account at the library and have ordered Moss Witch and Gossip from the Forest. Her book about country women and Christianity looks interesting too.
Thank you for writing about this collection – the new comma book sounds a lovely publication and a great introduction.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 27, 2024 @ 10:31:18
Oh, how interesting! She certainly seems a very prolific author and I too love her writing. Both of the non-fiction titles sound fascinating, and I’ll be interested to hear what you think of her fiction. I enjoyed it very much, and the collection has a wonderful range of stories so yes – a perfect way to be introduced to her work!
griffandsarahthomas
May 17, 2024 @ 17:53:07
Just to let you know, I’ve read the ‘Moss Witch’ collection, which partly overlaps with the stories in True North (Moss, Witch, Her Bonxie Boy (which was one of my very favourites). The interesting aspect of this collection was that each story was based on scientific discoveries and an expert in the field wrote a short piece afterwords explaining this, which was fascinating, and added an extra dimension to the tales, as well as increasing my admiration for Sara Maitland as a very clever writer. I think you would enjoy this collection a lot. You don’t even have to have a scientific bent (I don’t think), to still appreciate it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 18, 2024 @ 13:54:27
Oh, how interesting – thank you for letting me know! I was very taken with Her Bonxie Boy too. But that scientific background sounds really impressive, and I can imagine how it added to the experience of reading. I’m not very scientific but very tempted to search this one out!!
JacquiWine
Apr 27, 2024 @ 15:52:37
How interesting! I have come across the author before, but only because a customer in the shop ordered A Book of Silence, which I recall looking at when it arrived. It’s good to hear that you enjoyed these stories. I’m not always good with myths, but these elements sound very effective here.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 27, 2024 @ 20:11:32
Oh, that’s interesting – I’m quite keen to explore her non-fiction too. And these worked really well, as her takes on myth were very quirky and cleverly done. Not like all of these modern retellings which seem to be springing up all over the place, but looking at the old stories from a new angle.
TravellinPenguin
Apr 28, 2024 @ 01:43:02
Since living in Australia I am often amazed how people lose their lives to nature. Drownings, crocodiles falling off cliffs to get a selfie. I think I would enjoy some of these short stories.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 28, 2024 @ 12:42:31
Yes, nature is not to be taken for granted! And Maitland certainly recognises the dangers, though her take is unusual in places. A very good collection.
Liz Dexter
Apr 28, 2024 @ 18:37:34
Just shows there’s always another author one hasn’t come across! This sounds very good – whose idea was it to have the stories selected by friends and family rather than an editor?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 29, 2024 @ 09:32:29
I know! She’s so prolific yet I’d not come across her before! And I don’t know whose idea the selection process was, but I do think it’s a lovely one!
heavenali
Apr 30, 2024 @ 12:36:40
The name Sara Maitland does ring a vague bell, so I wonder if I did read something by her years ago, probably pre blog. This collection sounds really good, varied with differing themes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 30, 2024 @ 13:27:27
Well, she’s been writing for a while so you may well have! I did enjoy this collection – some lovely reading!
Marcie McCauley
May 13, 2024 @ 19:23:11
She’s what was once referred to as a “writer’s writer” or maybe that’s more of a North American concept? I’ve been collecting her for years and I think you’d especially like her book on silence (which others have recommended) and her book about the forest (which has had at least two titles, so I won’t try to guess which is which)! How wonderful that one of your favourite indies has brought her onto your reading radar!
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 13, 2024 @ 20:14:07
Oh, very interesting. I’m just amazed I haven’t come across her writing before, it’s so good. And thank you for the recommendations… 😉