The challenge– 13 short stories in 13 days–No. 13 and my final thoughts
on Sheila Ash (India), 01/Feb/2015 04:25, 34 days ago
 The American LoverbyRose TremainStory 13– 21st-Century JulietDecided not to wait till tomorrow to read the final instalment in this short story collection and was swept along at break neck speed by a modern day Romeo and Juliet.Written as a diary and sounding a bit like Adrian Mole meets Bridget Jones, Tremain picks up the pace with this final story and changes tone to be quick, sharp, young and modern.   Casting Juliet as a thirty year old spinster whose upper class family is going broke and who are about to loose their home“Capell House” , “Peregrine “Perry” Paris  as the money-bearing suitor, and Tremain nicknames Juliet's employer, the philistine Aussie Jimmy Anselme,Nursey because“he massages the egos of the rich and famous” . Romeo becomes an illegal migrant builder from Moldovia  letting Tremain bring economic migration, immigration and racialism into play. Perhaps Nursey is the one transfer that works less well.However, I love it when Tremain goes for this re-telling/ re-working/ re-imagining style which she carries on on each occasion with great skill and aplomb. I agree with theSpectator reviewer“The most successful stories are the three which reimagine key scenes from other writers’ lives or work”. This is when she is at her best namely No.13 - 21st-Century Juliet, No. 8 – The Housekeeper and No. 3 – The Jester of Astapovo.ashramblings verdict–5*I thoroughly enjoyed the experienced of reading stories by such a craftsman as Tremain and contrary to some reviewers opinion that these are unconnected stories I think the theme of“doing one’s duty” does tie them together. The fact that I couldn’t wait to read the final story says it all. Highly recommended.ashramblings