The Essence of Life and Love in Australia — Margaret Lynette Sharp

ABOUT THE BOOK 'The Essence of Life and Love in Australia' is a collection of twenty-eight contemporary Short Stories, set in both city and country Australia. The book is diverse. Many stories are written in the first person, with the narrator being a man on more than a few occasions. There are plenty of romantic scenarios, many ending happily, others needing further resolution. The mood of the tales diverges from serious and reflective to light-hearted. I believe it's a 'feel good' book since, to me, it effortlessly transports ones thoughts away, engaging our emotions upon the characters and their fortunes, reaching a conclusion satisfying in one way or another. A special feature of my books is the wide spacings of words at carefully chosen places. The author's husband, Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House, has used his artistry to incorporate this to enhance comprehension, akin to breathing and pausing in singing. Since the stories are quite succinct, they are ideal to read in situations where time is strictly limited, such as waiting-rooms or while traveling. Because they delve into a variety of aspects of human nature, they shed light on personality, and the way of the world, I believe. The author's favourite stories from this book include 'Language of Love', a light-hearted tale of romance; 'At Seventeen', a tale of a young lady's infatuation with an older man; and 'My Daughter Sally', a father's account of his daughter's unrequited interest in a privileged local bachelor. If you are looking for an easy to read, mixed collection of (very) short yet satisfying stories, well-written and evocative, then I recommend you consider 'The Essence of Life and Love in Australia'.