A Winter Gathering

Sinful confessions and intimate revelations from the 'Winter Pale' world

Fiction - Anthology
257 Pages
Reviewed on 12/12/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

A Winter Gathering by Marina Koulouri is a collection of short stories that display the complexities of human nature, history, culture, and music. Its protagonists are seen engaging in a variety of problems, including unrequited love, loss, war, prejudice, loneliness, and societal expectations. In The Scent of You, Mademoiselle fails to find a worthy suitor even though she is perfectly trained in every domestic duty that is required to maintain a household. Georgette faces the consequences of loss and vengeance as Nazis wage a war that spreads through Europe in What a Traitor Looks Like. In A Train to Dresden, two major characters seek refuge from criticism and unjust punishment for their sexuality. In this thought-provoking collection, you will meet various fascinating individuals and experience the thrill of chaotic events and gripping emotions.

The stories are populated with complex, compelling characters who keep you engaged with their immersive first-person perspectives. My favorite character is a little girl who has such an upbeat, infectious attitude that I couldn't help but wish for a daughter of my own like her. The tales are both poetic and illustrative. They leave the reader with clear, beautiful memories and offer outstanding lines like, "His baleful presence crawling through the air like a poisonous serpent." History fans will love the book's realistic portrayal of Europe's past and World War II. From Paris to Berlin, we see the characters' profound perspectives of different European locations during turbulent historical years. This collection contains some of the richest, most poignant historical short stories I've read. A Winter Gathering by Marina Koulouri is best read attentively and slowly to enjoy the stories fully and appreciate their bountiful artistic intricacies.