Eliot Treichel

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, but it's undeniably well-written. As far as my own personal interest, the stories were a bit hit-or-miss, but they're all intriguing and whether or not I liked the premise of the story consistently became irrelevant as I found myself growing irresistibly curious to find out what would happen next and how it would end.

The slice of life stories range in tone from downright depressing to wryly amusing and Treichel's characters truly shine; they are diverse, interesting, and so wonderfully human. They're likable, despicable, pitiable; their actions and dialogue feel natural. The small-town/rural settings give me twinges of deja vu - I've seen, met, and known people just like these.

All in all, a very good collection of stories.… (more)

Treichel's depictions of everyday life in small town, rural Wisconsin can be both haunting and humorous. We become enthralled in the small self-discoveries of everyday people, so enthralled at times that we don't realize that we are often simultaneously discovering something about ourselves. We mourn the loss of childhood innocence and relish in the discovery of newfound freedoms. We are able to relate to their revelations. Even if our paths to them differ, we have come to the same conclusions, and Treichel captures these moments beautifully.

With well-crafted prose and stunning insight into the human condition, Close is Fine is a huge success. I highly recommend it.… (more)