Roy Parvin

Roy Parvin has crafted 3 novellas set in the Northwest that look at the inner workings of characters that are at a moment of change. "Betty Hutton" follows an ex-con who is trying to go straight and who has a feeling that there is a special place that will be his perfect spot. He heads cross country to Montana with several interesting events occurring there, that although don't end up being his spot assure him he's on the right path. "In the Snow Forest" tells of a blooming relationship show more between a loner logger and a deserted woman with a handicapped child. Again the story doesn't end predictably but the main character has a personal revelation that determines his future. In the last story "Menno's Granddaughter" set in 1957, a deserted and divorced woman takes a train from California to a family reunion in the Hudson Valley. She is not looking forward to the reunion with her dysfunctional family. On the way she determines to pass through the town in Wyoming where her late ex-husband and his second wife lived. Lots of reminiscences on the train, a storm and a serious case of the flu end up with her stuck in the town and face to face with the second wife. Again the story is not predictable but the main character comes away with a better understanding of herself. The landscape and the weather play a big part in creating the atmosphere. Very well done show less