A Cairndhu Nightingale and Other Tales

In his latest collection of short stories and poems, Jim Shields yet again portrays his versatility, sensitivity, sense of place, and keen humour. Within the stories you will find a son confronting his incapacity to love his mother; A grandmother offering words of encouragement to lift her grandson out of impoverishment; An innocent game of hide-and-seek that has unforeseen circumstances; A gentleman carer discovering the true meaning of love and the truth that loss oftentimes forces new beginnings. Whilst in the title story, "A Cairndhu Nightingale": Billy, leaning on his bicycle, allows his inquisitive eyes to meander over the vista before him. Everything around is quiet. The birds fall silent. Every nerve in his body is alert. A voice from behind offers to accompany him to the hospital, and together, they walk into a world of wonder. These are the moments of saltiness and sweetness in everyone's everyday life. The characters, authentically honest and raw, share their moments without glamour.