The Best Australian Stories 2004

After a couple of thought provoking novels this compilation seemed ideal to read before deciding what to read next.

27 stories in total with nearly all the writers being unknown to me but for the obvious being J.M. Coetzee

A couple stood out, with the majority interesting without reaching great heights.

The first story was After School by Nathan Besser and I had to say I thought this schoolboy meets schoolgirl tale very good indeed, covering that forever story of the boy falling for the girl and the girl not turning up.

An older boy meets girl story by Susan Coleridge called Unfinished Business was of a coincidental meeting of a woman and a man with a past, and the consequences of this latter meeting. Very good.

Siege by Amra Pajalic was in diary form of a mid-twenties girl in Sarajevo in 1993 and how she saw her day-to-day life under the terrors of the war. A poignant and very good story.

Historical short story Hadrian in Hell by Delia Falconer told in the first person by one of two brothers building water courses for the emperor. Very good.

The absolute standout for me was As a Woman Grows Older by J.M. Coetzee. I have never read Coetzee and if this is one of his lesser works I will be looking to read him in the future. A 78 year old Melbourne lady of letters travels to France to see, for what may be her last time, her two expatriate children. Offers from the children as to her future are discussed and make for a fascinating read. Outstanding short story.

A useful collection for those that need something to bridge that gap we sometimes need after deeper reads.