Nothing but Flowers: Tales of Post Apocalyptic Love by Jodi Cleghorn

Nothing but Flowers: Tales of Post Apocalyptic Love Reviews

• 
  Janette

  Big disclaimer up front - yes, I have a story in this collection. But that's not the reason for the high rating; this is a gorgeous collection of stories around the theme of post-apocalyptic love. And what wonderful diversity! The apocalypses (apocali??) take us from war and political stupidity to natural disaster and devastating disease; from urban cafe to rural service station, from terra firma to deep space. There's history and science fiction and everything in between.
  
  Most of all, I loved the explorations of romantic love, in all its glorious varieties. There is old love and there is new love; healthy love and sick love. Some stories end happily, some wring tears - and some do both.
  
  I'm recommending this for purchase, not only because it's full of such brilliant stories, but also because the money from the e-book or web access will all go to support the small Queensland town of Grantham, which was devastated by the floods in early 2011. The paperback edition profits will also go to this exceptionally good cause.
  
  Highly recommended for anyone who's ever fallen in love.
• 
  Evelyn

  Nothing But Flowers is a fascinating and varied collection of short stories. They are all love stories set during the end of the world, but the authors have interpreted the concept in an amazing variety of different ways, from global plagues, either historical, as in 'I Dream of Cherry Pies' by Jen Brubacher, or imagined, as in the atmospheric 'Scarecrow Man' by Jodi Cleghorn, to the very personal 'end of the world' following a death of a loved one in the very sweet 'Headlines and Post-it Notes' by Adam Byatt. The collection is well worth a read, and all profits go to the Grantham Flood Support Fund, so it's even in a good cause!
• 
  Graham Storrs

  This is another great collection of short stories from editor Jodi Cleghorn - and I'm not just saying that because one of my stories is in there, or because all the proceeds from its sale go straight to a good cause. 27 stories on the theme of love in a post-apocalyptic world, inspired by the lyrics of the eponymous Talking Heads song, just had to be a great idea - and it was. Read it just for the 27 different ways these talented writers interpreted the theme!
• 
  Paul Servini

  OK, so let's admit I'm biased. One of the stories in here is mine. But that leaves 24 others written by other authors and the five stars is for the whole anthology, not just my story. Stories of love before, during and after calamities. You'll probably need some hankies to dry the tears.
• 
  Kim Falconer

  I've only read Janette Dalgliesh's story so far and spine tinglingly loved it! Jodi Cleghorn is a brilliant editor!
• 
  M. P.

  Overall a likable collection of Valentine's Day shorts in a post-apocalyptic milieu, but as most short story collections go, there are stories that leave next to no impression at all and then some that pop out somewhat above the rest. I hate to say it, but the most likely reason I enjoyed this collection to the point I did is that I am hopelessly in love with my own fiancé. That said, on a more objective viewpoint, I wish there had been a greater variety of different types of love present besides the romantic lovey-dovey couples' love. Too many authors got caught up with the whole "Oh, so this is a Valentine's Day publication" and that was a little disappointing. Such a great opportunity to explore the idea of love in all its variety within single covers, and yet so few took that chance. Many seemed to also think "post-apocalyptic" means that the story just has to end with a revelation of someone either ending up dead or being revealed as having been dead for a longer time, which was horribly tedious in its predictability.
  Oh well. At least the money went to a good cause.
• 
  Annie Evett

  Gutsy, tear jerking, confronting, surprising and endearing. Tales of love through the most heart wrenching of times.
  and yes - I am biased - one of the stories is mine - but the fact does not take away from the top class writing and tale weaving of the other contributing authors.
  A must read for those with love in their heart
• 
  Katharine (Ventureadlaxre)

  Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
  
  To be safe, I won't be recording my review here until after the AA are over.
• 
  Rebecca Emin

  I am one of the authors, but I wholeheartedly rate this book 5 stars after reading it from cover to cover. There are some delightful stories in this book, some of which will stay with me for a while. I am proud to have been included in such a wonderful read.
• 
  Maria Kelly

  Loved it! I'm not just saying that because I have a short story in this anthology. All the stories in this book are awesome, some of them will make you bawl your eyes out. Beautiful stuff.
• 
  Nerine Dorman

  This is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of my favourites are here, and are outstanding, like Carrie Clevenger and Icy Sedgwick, and I absolutely adored their contributions. Some of the others I was left feeling a bit "Eh? Now what?". On the whole, this is a wonderfully desolating collection of tales that consider those who remain when society as we know it is crumbling. There's a lovely range of voices here and if you're looking for something quick to read, with tales that will run their chilly fingers down your spine to remind you that everything ends ... then this might appeal to you.
• 
  Laura

  What a collection! I have the honour of knowing some of the amazing authors who contributed to this antho as well as the brilliant Jodi Cleghorn, author, editor and all round cool gal and can say in all honesty, the stories are top notch. From the hope filled tales of love after disaster to the gut wrenching snap- shots into personal tragedies, this collection will see you reaching for the tissues with every ending. Read it. You won't regret it!