The Silver Vessel

Searching for Martin Barrett

Veronica Lloyd

£5.99 paperback
ISBN 978-1-903914-12-0

Nancy Barrett's father, Martin, dies before she's three. Nancy, now ten years old, is desperate to know him. Her mother, Gwen Barrett, talks only briefly about her husband and, Nancy believes, tells lies about him. Her elder brother, Owen, gives her nightmares with stories of their father's death.

Nancy tries to control her world by drawing everything - and everyone - in it, until, failing to draw a likeness of Martin Barrett, she sets out on a quest to discover the truth about him.

Veronica Lloyd was the winner of the 2002 Biscuit Short Story competition.

Searching for Martin Barrett is a real novella. Do not be misled, it is not merely a 'short novel.' It is much more than just that. Real novella writers employ the rapid pacing and heightened language style of literary short fiction, then advance it much further. Novella writers economise on words, selecting them like diamonds, fashioning them into three-dimensional treasures. Real novellas work on more than one plot level. Novella authors skilfully create richly layered depths within fascinating landscapes. They challenge the reader, while they entertain. You can start and finish reading a real novella during one train journey, one flight, or one afternoon on the beach. But it will enrich your thoughts for a long time afterwards. Searching for Martin Barrett revives a neglected, great story form. It is a quality read. Try it.