Paul Carlucci

A decent set of short stories set in Western Canada. I found them to be starkly original, especially in their observations, and that I learnt something about the type of lives that go on there. That, for a writer, is a great compliment. Carlucci has style and poise when he writes. He is able to, by going through the motions, describe and transliterate the lives of his characters into short stories by glimpses and snippets. That is the power of his collection.

A good read: 3 stars.

Set in Northwest Territories town of Fort Fierce; the first part of book is the chronological story of the building from start to finish, through the 3 generations of landlords.

The second part tells stories of individuals, their lives overlapping briefly from time to time, and told from both characters' points of view when they do.

One of those books that I wanted to turn over and immediately reread. Except I'm not sure I could take the story of the man, disabled in an accident, and his show more three-legged dog. Such pain, with such understatement.

Warning: Profanity. Would otherwise have rated 5 stars. show less