Publisher's Note The thirteen stories of Brad Barkley's debut collection depict characters haunted by memory and missed chances, buoyed by humor and a fragile optimism, while they seek the permanence of meaning and redemption in their lives. Using language rich with invention, Barkley shows us how we are capable of surprising ourselves, learning what we have known of life but have somehow lost sight of.
Industry Reviews "Anyone looking for a light read or a well-plotted yarn won't find either in this collection of emotionally intense short stories....[T]hese stories showcase the substantial skill of a young writer who has chosen an ambitious subject--nothing less than life's strange turns." New York Times Book Review - Maureen Picard Robins (02/02/1997)