That cookie jar that looks at you from the shelf, tempting you to steal from it even if you don’t know what type of cookies it contains … that’s this story. That’s what it was like to read my first book by Finnian Burnett, with each segment a stand-alone filled with a different type of cream while each segment following the same trend mixed with the same ingredients
With each ingredient being another character, this story follows the drama of Kelvin with an opening scene that had me quickly sinking my teeth into his struggles while leaving an aftertaste that continued throughout. This is a story that told of of Aunt Sal and her partner, Lana, and of John and Barbara Stanley as they maneuver themselves in the community after their marriage falls apart. For a short story with many characters, the emotional roller coaster it brings the reader on is long lasting and effective.
For a short story with many characters, the emotional roller coaster it brings the reader on is long lasting and effective.
From the Grandma who didn’t accept nor try to understand her daughter, to the dying mother of two young boys, and the complexity of the relationship of principal and secretary, the rawness was devoured like raw cookie dough from a beater, the writing style is deliciously unique.
Flash fiction made more powerful with the linkage of cookies, prevalent in each captivating scene — it made me feel like I was sitting across the table from an old friend dining on cookies and village gossip. A story of forgiveness, acceptance, and relationships, The Price of Cookies offers flavour for every pallet.
Published by Marion Lougheed, Founding Editor of Off Topic Publishing, Burnett has connected the story of death with life masterfully by entwining it with hope, despair and forgiveness through personal growth and the connection of a community.
Finnian Burnett is a professor, writer, and lifelong learner. They hold a doctorate in English pedagogy from Murray State University and teach college English, creative writing, and early British Literature. They’ve run the Golden Crown Literary Society’s Writing Academy since 2015 and served as the Director of Education for several years. Under their former name, they published several novels with Sapphire Books Publishing, including two rainbow award winners. Their novella-in-flash, The Clothes Make the Man was released through Ad Hoc Fiction. They are a US transplant to Canada and after years as a permanent resident, they finally had their citizenship ceremony. They are now an official Canadian! (And yes, they cried during their ceremony.) They live in beautiful British Columbia with their wife.
Publisher: Off Topic Publishing (May 21, 2024)
ISBN: 9781738988525
I am a struggling artist, a challenging and challenged mother who always thinks she is failing, an emerging freelance writer and reporter, an author with my name on several books crossing genres and always hoping to find more readers who enjoy them.
I am also a successful artist, a wonderful and thriving mother of one, a reacher towards both people and dreams despite all of the turned backs and obstacles in my way. I am a thriving freelance writer and reporter, an author loved by enough readers to make it worthwhile and a discombobulated conundrum who loves to hear new music, tell new tales and meet new authors. And I’m doing something I always dreamed of doing – reviewing books to support others as well as myself and my family.
