Story Title: ‘Marrakech’ by Darci Bysouth
Collection/Anthology?: Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology 3 (Bristol Review of Books Ltd.)
Date Read: 12 September 2010
Briefly: The narrator tells the story of living life with a mother who’s very much different from ‘normal’ mothers.
Afterthoughts: If you ever wondered what a childhood would be like if you’re mother was a new-age hippy with an obsession with Marrakech, then this is very much the story for you. I love how Canadian-born Bysouth brings the Moroccan bazaar to life so vividly you can almost smell the spice stalls, but I also love this story for a couple of other reasons. In the first instance I admire Bysouth’s skill in instilling in the reader, a real empathy for the main character. In the second, I adore Bysouth’s genius in twisting things so that the plot brings something entirely unexpected. Bravo to the storyteller!
Rating: 
This story was read as part of a review of the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology, Volume 3. If you want to find out more about this anthology then I invite you to head on over and read my ‘forethoughts’ post, and/or visit the the Bristol Short Story Prize website.
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