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Books

Existentialism and taboo sex scream of youth trying too hard

Matilda Bathurst reviews short stories by debut writers Daniele McLaughlin, Greg Jackson and Arlene Heyman — and a first volume in over 20 years from Julia O’Faolain

7 May 2016

9:00 AM

7 May 2016

9:00 AM

Under the Rose: Selected Stories Julia O’Faolain

Faber, pp.384, £13.99, ISBN: 9780571294909

Dinosaurs on Other Planets Danielle McLaughlin

John Murray, pp.208, £14.99, ISBN: 9781473613706

Prodigals Greg Jackson

Granta, pp.240, £12.99, ISBN: 9781783781997

Scary Old Sex Arlene Heyman

Bloomsbury, pp.240, £16.99, ISBN: 9781408865316

How many debut collections does it take to stand up to one of the most accomplished short-story writers of the past half-century? In this case, it’s three against one. Under the Rose is Julia O’Faolain’s first short-story collection in over 20 years, bringing together stories published between 1968 and 2006.

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'Under the Rose: Selected Stories', £11.99, 'Dinosaurs on Other Planets', £12.99,'Prodigals', £11.69 and 'Scary Old Sex', £14.99, are available from the Spectator Bookshop, Tel: 08430 600033

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