The Alleyway and other Short Stories Paperback – April 20, 2015

RJ Samuel’s collection of short stories, the Alleyway and Other Short Stories, written under her given name, Rejini Samuel is by far one of the better collections that I have read in recent years. In fact, three of the stories were short listed for an international writing competition (Over the Edge New Writer of the Year) – and rightly so. Her writing is amazing. Actually, to say “amazing” seems trite, but I lack the adequate words at the moment to fully articulate just how moved I am by the stories. RJ lifted me out of my room, allowing me to become a part of the conversations and imagery alive in each story. With each bit of dialogue, I could “hear” the speakers, the subtle dialect/accent, their unique manner of speaking. The descriptions, so vibrant, jump off the page — I could “see” what RJ wrote.Certainly, I could give a snippet of each story, but as the stories are rather short, I’d be guilty of spoiling. Yet, three stories immediately stand out. “The Alleyway” blew me away. The dialogue, allusion, emotional landscape, actually transfixed me, I truly “heard” every word as they were spoken by the characters; I could see the facial expressions; smell the aromas wafting through the alley. I admit, that as a writer, this is what I aspire to do, and RJ inspires me. “Amy_Grrl” made me laugh out loud, with the most apt portrayal of fear of cyber dating and her internal dialogue about the standard lesbian relationship route (u-haul after a few dates) as the biggest thing that she must now attempt to avoid – again. Finally, “A Prison of Words,” struck a chord in me as a writer, speaker, and one who often feels trapped by what and how to say what I mean. RJ captured every emotion perfectly.RJ is a brilliant writer. She speaks to me as a woman living in a diverse world, as a lesbian, as an artist, and as a person who seeks to connect with others and often feels at a loss as to how to do so adequately. I highly recommend these stories. The brought me more than a little pleasure, the warmed my heart.

I remember my first Twilight Zone episodes. In fact, I don't think I even saw them (we didn't have TV); my father recounted them to me. Each one filled me with a chill of wonder and mystery. There was nothing gory or overly horrific about them, just that strange, dark chill of the unknown and the all-too-known of dreams and night mares. Samuel captures that same chill in this collection of short stories. What's more, she does it with an attention to craft that satisfied my English professor's heart.

This is a compilation of short stories that remind me of beloved episodes of "The Twilight Zone" or any of "The Matrix" movies. I loved each story and no two were alike. You know an author is talented when the stories and characters stick with you after you have closed the book. Rejini Samuel is very talented and I have enjoyed this collection immensely!

Ms. Samuel's stories are a pleasure to read. I feel as if I have become friends with the characters and then am sad when the book is over.

I have always enjoyed Ms Samuel's novels. I am not a big fan of short stories but because they were written by her I had to read them. Some I enjoyed more than others but all were well written. Thought provoking.