Tom Barbash may have made a convert out of me with Stay Up With Me, his new short story collection. I usually hate short story anthologies, but this one was moving, compelling, and interesting.
This
is not a collection of stories with fast moving “shoot ‘em up” plots. It is more a group of stories exploring
the ways that people are interconnected with one another, how they relate, and
how these interactions change each individual.
I
had a few favorites among the thirteen stories. “Somebody’s Son” was my absolute favorite. Randall and his partner are trying to
swindle an elderly couple out of their acres in the Adirondacks. Along the way, however, Randall makes a
connection that changes his plans.
I
also loved the first story in the collection, “The Break”. A young man is visiting his mother, who
has clear expectations for his future.
When the college student begins dating a waitress he meets on a trip to
a restaurant, his relationship with his mother becomes even more intense and
complicated.
There
was not a bad story in the book.
Honestly, I enjoyed each one.
They are quiet masterpieces filled with real people in real situations,
exploring their environments and their relationships with each other. If you are looking for action packed
stories, look elsewhere. However,
if you are looking for stories exploring humanity and choices, Stay Up With Me is the short story
collection for you.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Regina
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The old grey donkey, Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, "Why?" and sometimes he thought, "Wherefore?" and sometimes he thought, "Inasmuch as which?" and sometimes he didn't quite know what he was thinking about.
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