Author: Kathleen Wheaton
4 out of 5 stars
Book Info: Genre: Short story anthology/fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: people who enjoy short fiction, interesting stories
Trigger Warnings: infidelity
My Thoughts: This is not the sort of book I would ordinarily read, and I'm not really certain why I agreed to review it, but I'm glad I did. It's not obvious how every single story links up, but several of them are quite easy to track due to shared characters.
Each story was well-written and fascinating, an insight into how it feels to not belong, literally. Not angsty, just honest. Each character is defined quickly yet thoroughly; it is obvious this writer is a master at creating characters efficiently. Short stories can be very challenging sometimes, but these are all wonderfully well done.
If you enjoy short stories that are interesting and well written, be sure to check out this book.
Disclosure: I received this book from JKS Communications in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: The characters in Kathleen Wheaton's linked stories are exiles-from their native countries, their families, their objects of desire. Political refugees from Argentina's "dirty war," survivors of a Cuban shipwreck and of Franco's Spain all navigate life as foreigners, whether in Madrid, Buenos Aires or suburban Washington, D.C. With wry, nuanced compassion, Wheaton follows these resilient people as they reconcile the absurdities of contemporary life with a legacy of dislocation, loss and longing.
Katy, I am glad you enjoyed the book. I know that short stories seem like they might be easier to read--because they're short!--but they take a different and intense kind of concentration. Thank you for making the effort and for your kind words. Best wishes,
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Oh, yes, absolutely; with short stories a small lapse in concentration could lead to the reader missing the whole point of the story! Thanks for dropping in!
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