The Apple: Crimson Petal Stories

Probing and insightful, Ms. Holt's novel illustrates how far the human mind will go to survive. If imagination gets a child through horrific days and the subsequent line between fantasy and reality blurs a bit, well, so it goes. I loved the book.

I have read many of Michael Faber's books and he sure didn't disappoint me with "Apple". He continues to be one of my favorite authors.

This book fills in details about Sugar and Mr.Rackham that were not included in the book. For anyone who is interested in Victorian history especially it's sexual side, The Crimson is a must read.

Prepare yourself for two fantastic hours of engrossing stories! Faber's prolific pen has given us an amuse-bouche for those whose appetites were not satisfied by the 900+ page feast of the Crimson Petal and the White. The Apple is a collection of short stories about various characters we met in his fabulous earlier novel. We get a glimpse of Sugar's days both pre- and post-William Rackham; we meet Sophie as an adult; and we get to catch glimpses of the other sordid characters of Silver Street with the same gritty eyes we were given to view it before. This is a quick read - literally, one sitting if you plan it right. Thoroughly enjoyable! More, Mr. Faber, more!

For those annoyed by the abrupt ending of Michel Faber's Crimson Petal and the White, this will hopefully be somewhat soothing. While not a linear sequel, there are glimpses of the later lives of Agnes, William, Sugar and Sophie. Several short stories illuminate episodes from their lives, written in Faber's continuously brilliant style. The highlight is the final story in the collection, "A Mighty Horde of Women in Very Big Hats, Approaching." It is the story of a small boy caught up in the 1908 march of the suffragettes, and it is page-turning stuff. All the stories are interesting, but this was my favorite. Those looking for a true "sequel" to the superb Crimson Petal and the White might be a bit disappointed, I don't know. Personally, I was thrilled to spend time, however brief, with the characters.