Keene, Brian - Little Silver Book Of Street Wise Stories
Wise authors view these “Little” books as an introduction to new readers.
At least, one feels Keene has done this, selecting very good, very choice stories.
“Dust”, which references Manhattan, September 11th, still carries a bite two decades on.
There also a SciFi gem in “The Two-Headed Alien Love Child”. A G-Man, working his own special brief, deals with interlopers, casual, careless, hit-n-run sorts. Read to the end for the sting.
“Bunnies In August” is a sorrowful paddle into guilt. Accidents, misdeeds, and the knowledge that even if catastrophes are not your fault, consequences may still leave one wounded.
Keene’s popular dealer of closure is given back-to-back slices in “I Am An Exit” and “This Is Not An Exit”. Recommend to read both together to stay in the mood.
Marriage on the rocks, accursed job, a life little more than a waste of space, poozie woozie is appalled at the miserable cell he has placed himself into. The closure guy is not about, and yet in “Without You” a typically American solution is nearby.
Santa Claus, mob hitmen, an alien deity? “The Siqquism Who Stole Christmas” throws these displaced sorts into the blender for a funny, if unmerry Yule yarn. Oh yeah, reindeer, too!