This is a compulsively readable collection of short stories - all set in Northern Ireland, detailing everything from grief, religion, superstitions, symbolism, family ties, among other things.

Each story was so beautifully written, and haunting in its own unique way. Some stories are incredibly realistic, whereas others reach further out towards the unreal - brushing upon ghosts, healing swimming baths, and vanishing children.

My personal favourites were Grand So, Fair Play, Jellyfish, Troubling the Water, and Family Circle. I’m, frankly, still reeling from them. Sometimes I’ll read through a short story collection and know that I’ll barely be able to recollect any of the stories a week down the line - in this case, I know that the majority of these stories have firmly lodged themselves into my memory. It is a brilliant collection of wonderfully written, emotive, short stories.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

A collection of short stories from the fertile mind of Jan Carson, this is a fascinating and at times haunting collection. With fabulous use of language from colloquial, turns of phrase to flights of magic realism, these stories cover a myriad of different subjects. Some of the down to earth stories are the most haunting, the father in Caravan is a familiar Northern Irish figure, clumsily using teasing humour to connect and 'teach'. Jellyfish is another story that stays long after reading. This collection is to be read slowly, individually and maybe not at night, else you'll have nightmares about soft play ballpits.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Jan Carson's 'The Raptures' and I'm a huge short story fan so I was really looking forward to this and it didn't disappoint. Confronting, unusual, funny, touching and bizarre, there's a huge range of human emotion and perspective covered here, including a few trips into the supernatural that may be familar to those who've read Carson's novel. Highly recommended and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Quickly, While They Still Have Horses by Jan Carson is a well written collection of short stories. I did like some more than others but on the whole I really enjoyed them.

Clever short stories that left me wanting for more. Either absurd or extremely realistic, always full of humour; Northern Irish throughout. Looking forward to Jan Carson's next book!

Before starting this, I'd fully intended to get paper and pen, and take notes. Like we did back in the day, so I could write a detailed review, a little mention for each story.
Instead I got completely sucked in, and didn't stop between the first story and the second, and the third.
They were odd, some creepy, some a bit humorous, a bit touching.
They really are a cracking bunch of tales.
So, I can't tell you which story was the best, or which struck home the most... but I can tell you, that you won't regret picking this up.