Bah! BBB giveaway: ‘Not So Perfect’

Some time ago I gave away 2 copies of Nik Perring’s book of teeny tiny stories, ‘Not So Perfect’, and he dropped by for a chat.

Today, I have a signed – yes, signed – copy of the little gem to give away. Oh yes.

In case you’re wondering whether you want it, have a look at these two reviews.

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“It feels like I’m on the edge of a cliff and about to fall into something wonderful.”

When I first heard of ‘Not So Perfect’ via the deep, dark depths of the addictive twitterverse, I was immediately tempted. Short stories have my heart; we’re married by something words cannot describe, but real short shorties have such gorgeous appeal.

However, I am a not very well off student, so it wasn’t until the notification of a prettiful student bursary that I bought a few goodies, including this.

I was drawn in by the first few words. Immediately, I liked what I was reading, and ‘Kiss’ screamed out fabulousness. We never learn the names of the husband and wife, which I like, but also we get such a tiny insight into lives we know are much bigger. It’s curious. There’s so much unknown, but you feel you know so much already. I like that.

But then there is that “okay, are all the stories this good?” and indeed they are! ‘Bare and Naked in Siberia’ was a little spooky, made you shudder and yet was true to today. The next thing I knew a woman was throwing up a lemur! And then, ‘Pacifier’. Ohhhhh. That title is AMAZING.

You carry on swimming through this sea and the next wave hits: the heartbreak of “that’s when I think: why did I not ask her for hers?”

We, the reader, find the world has vanished around us. EVERYTHING is about the words before our eyes as we read of making cocoa for late night birdwatchers and being a cliché.

And now you suddenly realise the end is nigh! You are so eager to read on but you hold back; you know that this is going to end, but you don’t want it to.

Now you find the last page and wonder: how can I possibly choose a favourite?

For me, it’s so hard to choose because they are all so fab, but if I really, really had to, it’s Number 14.

But I’m not going to tell you why. Bugger off and read it yourself.

(Thanks to Catt. You can follow her on Twitter here)

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I snaffled Nik Perring’s ‘Not So Perfect’ from my mum’s bag. I chose it partly because I didn’t want a long, complicated book to read, partly because I was intrigued by the Lemur on the front cover. As I read the book the same two emotions stayed with me: the book was consistently easy and intriguing without being trite or silly.

‘Not So Perfect’ is a collection of seriously short (the longest is about seven pages) stories which somehow manage to do justice to an entire world in the course of a few pages. They range hugely in subject matter, from a woman who throws up animals (providing an explanation for the elusive lemur on the cover), to a relationship during the last five years of life on earth, a clockwork woman meeting the perfect man or a woman shopping for angels. As this list suggests, the stories are normally (but not solely) surreal, Perring manages to tell them without pretension or silliness though and even the saddest stories are laden with charm.

There are twenty-two stories in the book and with each you feel like you’re getting a glimpse into an entire world peopled with realistic, empathetic characters. I’d recommend this book for anyone who’s looking to get away for a little bit – the stories are absorbing enough to be a break from all the stresses of life – and for anyone who’s looking for sweet, but not sickly tales. Most of the stories deal with moments in different romances; each glimpse is genuinely engaging and moving. ‘Not So Perfect’ is one of the best collections of short stories I have ever read and I would recommend it to everyone and anyone.

(Thanks, Jenny.)

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If you’d like the signed copy – and frankly, who wouldn’t – just leave a ‘Pick Me!’ comment. And if you want to, donate £2/$3 to one of the Bah! charities.

The winner will be drawn on Saturday. when there’ll be another Bah! BBB giveaway. Oh yeah.