Margins
Without book cover
Without
Stories of lack and longing
2018
First Published
4.42
Average Rating
198
Number of Pages

What’s missing in your life? What keeps you up at night? What will make you happy? What will make you whole? These are the things that the stories in Without explore. Lack, a companion to all, reveals itself in different ways in these fifteen tales, offering glimpses into how we live without the things we want, need, or think we ought to have. Through the eyes of characters from across the world, Without brings you into lives where contentment is just out of reach. On the way to visit her grandfather’s grave, a young girl discovers the meaning of compassion. An encounter between two strangers on the Athens Metro reveals different takes on the migrant crisis. An unwelcomed visitor prompts a Canadian couple to reassess their life together. Noisy neighbours awaken a solitary sonographer's denied desires. A high-flying advertising man in Hong Kong gives up more than he intended, for the next big slogan. Through encounters with the sea, a woman walks through her fears, and learns about loving and letting go. Whether what’s missing is intangible – courage, liberty, imagination, or a new beginning, or something more substantial like a lover, a child, or a home, life is seen in different colours, for those without. Praise for 'Without' “Like Graham Swift’s 'Last Orders', Koh Morollo’s work offers a timely, heartfelt reminder that there is no such thing as an ordinary life. Stripping away the misleading and sometimes grubby veneer, she examines the lives of forgotten people, neglected souls navigating complicated, messy, unpredictable lives, often struggling to find the right path. 'Without' takes readers on that complex, emotional journey, guiding us through with wit, warmth and, most importantly of all, empathy.” – Neil Humpreys, author of Singapore best-seller 'Complete Notes from Singapore' “Short story lovers will find much to enjoy in these evocative tales. The settings are varied, but there's a rich, consistent literary tone that makes it a great summer read.” – Nury Vittachi, journalist, and author of 'The Feng Shui Detective' series. “Transcending geographical boundaries, these stories cast deft and compassionate glances across swaths of emotional terrain, zooming in on relationships in deeply poignant ways.” – Cyril Wong, award-winning poet, and author of 'Ten Things My Father Never Taught Me and Other Stories' “These are stories I would have liked to write. Set in countries like Hong Kong, the UK, Canada and Greece, they sparkle with arresting characters, authentic dialogue, and accurate and evocative sense of place. An impressive debut.” – Robert Yeo, Southeast Asia literary pioneer, and author of 'The Adventures of Holden Heng'

Avg Rating
4.42
Number of Ratings
12
5 STARS
67%
4 STARS
17%
3 STARS
8%
2 STARS
8%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads

Author

Michele Koh Morollo
Michele Koh Morollo
Author · 3 books
Born in Singapore, Michele Koh Morollo first started telling stories as a TV show host when she was a child. She has lived in Australia, Indonesia, England, and the USA, and is presently in Hong Kong where she writes short fiction, and earns her keep as a journalist, copywriter, and occasional street food docent. She is the author of “Rotten Jellybeans” and "Without". Her short stories have been published in anthologies “Love and Lust in Singapore”, "Hong Kong Future Perfect", "Imprint 16", and "Imprint 17". She also contributed a chapter introduction to "Country Living" for "Boutique Homes" - a design and architecture coffee table book by Californian luxury vacation rental brand Boutique Homes.
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