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pulling the rug: a sideways glance at life in short fiction and verse Kindle Edition

4.7 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

Life isn't always bitter, but it isn't always sweet and it has an uncanny knack of biting your backside when you least expect it. This little collection of stories and verse is the author's response to the banana skins we all have to negotiate and to the unexpected bonuses that balance the scales

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There are 4 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N7GDJ2L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jane Jago (December 8, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 8, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 627 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

About the author

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Jane Jago
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The term genre-hopper could have been coined to describe me and my books, modern-day thrillers sitting side by side with sword and sorcery, wicked dragons, and short stories and verse.

In addition, I’m proud to be the co-author of the Dai and Julia Mysteries with my good friend E.M. Swift-Hook.

Dai and Julia: What If the Romans never left?

Dying to be Roman

Dying to be Friends

Dying for a Poppy

Dying as a Druid

Dying for a Vacation

Dying to be Fathers

Dying on the Mosaics

Dying on the Streets

Dying to be Innocent

Dying to Find Proof

Dying for a Present

The First Dai and Julia Omnibus

The Second Dai and Julia Omnibus

The Third Dai and Julia Omnibus

For more fun and frolics with me and my co-author visit our blog at tinyurl.com/t9pkll3

You can also follow me on Facebook, and please don’t forget to let me know what you enjoy about my books

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
14 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
    A shattered glass and razor blade collection of poetry and short stories, leaning toward the dark crimson end of the spectrum.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020
    Jago has a talent for words that's difficult to, well, put into words. I found her poems and short stories intriguing, insightful, and a bit grim at times. Recommended for those who like quirky short stories.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2017
    I am a huge fan of short stories, but poetry? Not so much. Which is why calling each and every one of the stories and poems in this little collection a standalone five star is rare indeed. Each and every word in this volume seems to have been carefully selected to get as much milage as possible.

    The title is apt as Jago doesn't pull any punches, pulling the proverbial rug out from under us in the very first story. And it doesn't get any easier. Have a box of tissues on hand for some, and righteous indignation for others, and maybe, just maybe, there is a reward for sitting through the entire roller coaster ride.

    Absolutely brilliant. I'd recommend this collection to anyone.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017
    It's always a bit risky buying a book by an author brand new to you and who none of your friends have read yet either, but this small collection sounded interesting enough for me to take the risk.

    I'm really glad I did because this is a lovely collection of stories. Jane has the ability to pull you into a story within the first few lines and then take you on an epic journey only lasting a few pages.

    By far the best short story I have ever read is contained in this book, I recommend buying this book just so you can read "Mister Smith", absolutely incredible. A close second was "Fur coat, no knickers" nice title and again it is an emotional story.

    Between the stories you will find a poem, the first one is a new version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and that made me chuckle. I felt the rest of the poems were lacking something after such powerful stories which was a shame. Still this is a very good book and I'll be checking out more work by the author.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
    This is a book of short stories and poems about the real life. Some show the touching and sweet side of life while others are more nitty-gritty and surprisingly blunt, which makes this book is quite accurately titled. I shed tears over a few endearing and sentimental stories. I found several stories absolutely hilarious and laughed my ass off. I choked on a few surprise ending and sometimes my eyes popped out of my head. Each story and poem made me smile. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone with a healthy sense of humor.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
    Pulling the Rug is an apt title for this slim collection of poetry and short fiction.  I enjoyed the acerbic nature of the poems, each topped off with a zinger at the last verse.  Several of the short stories also contain a serving of irony, while the rest are crafted with a gentle touch.  I hope that the author continues writing in this vein, as her work is concise and appealing.

    I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sara Kjeldsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great little collection
    Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2024
    This was a great collection of shorter stories & poems.
    I liked the last story the most. Most of the earlier ones were a lot darker.
  • India Emerald
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a treat!
    Reviewed in Germany on April 23, 2017
    Having read and enjoyed Bolded Hearts I was keen to read another work by the author and was, once again, thrilled. The short fiction covered a variety of genres from Fantasy to Light Romance and each one excelled. My particular favourite was Mister Smith which moved me to tears.
    Because of the different genres, there is something for everyone in this book.

    The real surprise for me (because I didn't notice the subtitle) was the verse. It was a good surprise though and overall I think the verse element was the highlight for me because I wasn't expecting it. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone and I'm keen to read more of Jane Jago's work.
  • C. Evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Less of a sideways look at life, and more ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2017
    Less of a sideways look at life, and more a smack in the face with harsh reality, this book is not for the fainthearted.  A collection of short stories and poetry, this is a quick read - I finished it in a couple of hours - but in that time I had laughed and cried. This book is so full of raw emotions.  Again, there are trigger warnings (I sure know how to pick 'em), this time child abuse, so if this is something you are sensitive to, then maybe steer clear.  At the end of that particular short story I felt very uncomfortable, and unsure how I was supposed to be feeling. It takes a very clever writer to leave you with so many questions at the end of a book.  If you are looking for something a bit different from the norm, give it a go.
  • T. K. Elliott
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth your time - and your money
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2016
    This is a short little book - only 51 pages - but well worth the 99p I paid for it. Some of these little short stories and poems are funny, and some are sad - but all are sharp. The title is pretty apt: the author delights in pulling the rug out from under the reader's feet (eyes?) at the last minute.

    A person's writing says a lot about what kind of person they are, and this book says that the author doesn't take herself or anyone else too seriously: and if you do, she will come along with a big pin and puncture your inflated ego for you. That said, there are things that should be taken seriously: sacrifice, betrayal, and old ladies.

    Of the short stories, I liked them all for different things: sometimes the suddenness of the twist in the ending; sometimes the idea that things aren't necessarily what they seem. My favourite stories were the one about the lady in front of the mirror (you can just imagine what events surround the little vignette that we get) and the last one: Fur Coat and No Knickers, for reasons which will become obvious when you read it. I really liked that one; it's one of those where the feeling it gives you lasts long after you close the book.

    As for the poetry, generally I don't like poetry - but this suited me enough that I read some of it out to my husband. There can be no higher praise! :-)

    There is a sort of intimacy about this book: it feels like the author published them out of a desire to share a laugh, or a cry - not out of a desire to impress.

    This is the part where I admit to having corresponded with the author and receiving a free copy for review. Well, one out of two ain't bad. :-)
  • J. D. Denness
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story teller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2017
    It's always a bit risky buying a book by an author brand new to you and who none of your friends have read yet either, but this small collection sounded interesting enough for me to take the risk.

    I'm really glad I did because this is a lovely collection of stories. Jane has the ability to pull you into a story within the first few lines and then take you on an epic journey only lasting a few pages.

    By far the best short story I have ever read is contained in this book, I recommend buying this book just so you can read "Mister Smith", absolutely incredible. A close second was "Fur coat, no knickers" nice title and again it is an emotional story.

    Between the stories you will find a poem, the first one is a new version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and that made me chuckle. I felt the rest of the poems were lacking something after such powerful stories which was a shame. Still this is a very good book and I'll be checking out more work by the author.

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