Eye of a Needle: And Other Stories

A great read for lovers of literary and experimental fiction, this debut collection was written with a compassionate eye for the fragile positions of women, the dispossessed and the poor. While experimenting with different styles and forms of storytelling, Ms Fick displays an acute insight into the mysteries of human nature. This collection of forty stories varies widely, from a one-line story to a short novella. 'Flying Ants' is a delicately observed narrative about the emotional neglect and abuse of Mrs Prinn, a woman displaced by her daughter. 'Belinda' a slice of life in a small South African town told from the point of view of Oom (uncle) Baba. 'Knit One', a story about a retired couple, solidifies the tone and major theme of the collection: the decay and unseen emotional damage caused by unequal and patriarchal relationships.