Zebra is a collection of short stories and a novella by Australian author, Debra Adelaide. It’s a mixed bag: many of the stories are good, some are a little vague, one or two are outstanding. It probably won’t be apparent until the reader gets to the Third section (if it is, in fact, noticed at all) that the stories in the First section is written in the first person, the Second section in the second person (which may not be a favourite for some readers) and, predictably then, the Third section is written in the third person. Also, some of the stories omit quote marks for speech, which will irritate some readers.

“Festive Food for the Whole Family” will resonate with anyone who has had to cater for guests with allergies, particular tastes or sensitivities.
“Migraines for Beginners” presents great insight into the plight of the sufferer: “…and an hour after falling into your own bed you begin to feel that unique and distinct sensation that every migraine sufferer knows: that hard welcome empty space in your head that might be nothing at all but is the very palpable absence of pain.”
“The Master Shavers’ Association of Paradise” is a heart-breaking, moving piece from the perspective of an asylum-seeker in detention.
“Carry Your Heart” is a delightful encounter that begins in a bookshop.
But the title novella, “Zebra”, featuring a peony-loving PM, a nasty neighbour and a zebra? This one is truly excellent and the book is worth acquiring for that story alone. Exceptional Aussie fiction.