Member Article

Frustration Reviewed

Abiodun Felix Taiwo has released a new book – a stunning collection of short stories named Frustration.

These stories, which are an attempt to show how frustration can lead us down many different paths, whether it be disappointment in ourselves or others or just general anger and confusion about life are reviewed here by Antonia Brindle.

“I love reading short stories, especially ones full of culture that are a window into lives from another country. The Water Pump, A Lesson in Irony and A Tale of Failure, are an exploration in the ways that frustration plays out in relationships causing a rollercoaster of emotions.

“The Water Pump features a broken down friendship, and is full of the feeling of disappointment. Set in an African village, the musing tells the story of three children, particularly the two boys.

“When one applies to university and the others find out there is upset as his friends have no such plans and they are hurt he wants to leave home and them. As the story progresses it is not just Adio who is leaving, and emotions run high.

“I felt the writing was good, but would have liked the story to be longer and enriched with more details of the feelings of the three.

“A lesson in Irony is the second in the trilogy and is follows a story of things not going the way they were expected to. With characters from the Church and the Governor’s office, with the plot based on a prophecy, and a perceived deception, it is intense. Again written well, and with a real plot twist, it is a good story but I feel is light of-n descriptive detail.

“In the final story, The Tale of Failure, depression is the result of frustration, and a lesson in why to not push people too far. Awaiting and receiving exam results, the main character struggles with his relationship with his parents, and the shocking ending is a lesson to every parent.

“The trilogy acts a life journey, depicted through characters the in three stories, showing different struggles, reactions and vexations. The journey in parts or in whole are motivational, encouraging us all to be a better person and look after each other more.

“The stories are short but each could be built up to a stronger, longer story line as you are drawn into the characters. That said, I still recommend Frustration as a good read.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Antonia Brindle .