Reviews

The Book of Sheffield: A City in Short Fiction by Catherine Taylor

joshsimp's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

lucececece's review

4.0

I feel such a strong connection to Sheffield, my love for it could truly bring me to tears. Not just because I've lived here all my life, bar uni years. It's a city which, despite and maybe even because of its decades of historic and continued neglect, is brimming with love and pain and art and brutality. I will die on the (7) hill(s) that Steel City is and will always be unmatched.

hannah_s's review

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

carog's review

emotional funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

sarae94's review

4.0

Such thought provoking, beautifully written stories. Always feels extra special when you read stories about somewhere you know, feels like you can touch the edges of Sheffield in each story :)

markjones's review

informative relaxing medium-paced

3.0

behindthecritic's review

4.0

A huge thank you to Comma Press for sending me a review copy of this.
Sheffield is my adopted city and I feel like I walk a line between local and outsider. This book really embodies every aspect of Sheffield. The beauty and all the imperfect cracks are highlighted in this collection of short stories.
My favourite stories were Like a Night Out in Sheffield by Johny Pitts and The Time is Now by Naomi Frisby.
If you are a Sheffielder, you need to read this collection. You cannot help but feel proud of the talent that Steel City has. If you are not from Sheffield, read this as a perfect example of the brilliance of Northern writing.
I'm so glad this book had ended my 2019 year of reading.
Expect a full review on my blog linked soon.

jimicanread's review

4.0

I got this from the brilliant independent Sheffield bookshop La Biblioteka. I enjoyed the mix of stories which varied a lot, you can taste a lot of different literary experiences in these ten stories. Worth a read if you fancy something a bit different, especially if you have any connections to Sheffield.