Share the love

First Impression: A collection of stories that rinse and recycle the same plots and themes as they explore end of life.

Twilight monologues book cover

I want to briefly start by thanking Libana Kassab for her generosity, I am able to provide you all with this honest review having been gifted an advanced reader copy.

The title gives the impression that the reader will be faced with something akin to Alan Bennett in the wee hours. Alas, this is not quite the case. Twilight Monologues by Libana Kassab is the debut collection of twelve monologues named after the narrator of each one. Not particularly lengthy, they each deliver their message across a few pages in Kassab’s Voice.

“Hello there, stranger,” she begins, her voice gently wavering. “I’m Monique. If my thoughts seem tangled or my words stray, forgive me.

Each story invites the reader in from the get-go. Referring to us as ‘stranger,’ we are invited to come a little closer and hear what the narrator cares to share at a moving movement in their lives. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to spend time with new characters because with each new story, it feels like there is a lie hanging in the air. It may be a stylistic choice, but to the reader, there is a lack of distinction between everyone we meet. Whether the character is about to take their last breath or embrace the last of the few days they have left, each one has the same melancholy tone.

“I grew up a proper, old-fashioned macho man. You know the type? The ones who say women are delicate creatures meant for the sanctity of the home.”

In parts, the book feels unfinished. The repetition that appears in the second story would have you believe that the character has dementia, but he speaks coherently throughout. That same story has me disbelieving some of the things he said. I cannot imagine any aged person referring to themselves as macho, if indeed they were, particularly if time had softened them.

“Ah, there’s someone to listen! Are you here to keep me company until my parents come back? Come in. Take a seat.”

If this text were to be played via Alexa or Siri using whisper sync, the AI assistant would be devoid of tone and inflection and would, therefore, highlight the flaws a lot sooner. There is little in these words that suggest this is a ten-year-old speaking. It seems even more bizarre when the reader is directly addressed and there is no insinuation that the reader is of a similar age.

Whilst each story differs in terms of actual characters, little else changes. We are at the same end of life facility, thinking over the same past in much the same way. Eventually the stories become predictable, despite each having a simple lesson that it aims to teach, be it embracing every moment, taking the time to understand other perspectives, or merely cherishing your family when you can. Even the way they alter their expressions – softly – has a generic tone. Overall, the book gives the impression that the same prompt was responded to under timed conditions repeatedly. The characters are underdeveloped, and more is learned through telling, rather than showing. The book could also do with some tidying around the formatting. The issues are not so awkward that they affect readability but there are instances where extra spaces are placed between paragraphs for no apparent reason.

Some points where you have to suspend belief include one character stating how they like to read aloud to their sibling, but they are struggling to breathe. There’s the story where we meet the Chinese man, Wei, with his brother, Jack, and nephew, Oliver. Why would a family so steeped in Eastern culture have Western names and behaviors? Why does each character excuse themselves in the same way, old or young, male, or female?

Common themes run throughout the book. Each character is dying, they will not make it until the end of the week. Most have lost their spouse where applicable. Many of them want to share photographs and all are reflective. They each have a sense of their love being short-lived. With so many similarities, it begs the question as to whether the diversity with the Asian guy, the Cuban, the Black woman, the child, and the LGBTQIAA+ member are thrown in as a tick box exercise.

The book has appeal for young, unsophisticated readers that are able to process mature topics and do not need the distraction of characters, environments, and complex language. As a debut, it is an average read that provides repetition for a child requiring reading practice for not reaching the average milestones expected of their age but wanting to experience text that is not childish in content because they are significantly older. It is a short book that requires no thinking, making it easy to consume during a short commute, although t’s likely that it will not resonate with late teens and older.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐/ PG-13

Have your say: What are the qualities you look for in a Short Story collection? Share your thoughts with the Papergirl Community in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Clicking on links may direct you to Papergirl branded products, or Papergirl endorsed items for which there is an affiliation. It will not affect your purchases or prices in any way, but it may mean that Papergirl earns a small commission from any successful sales.

Wondering what to review next, consider: