Poignant, gripping, hypnotic; a mesmerising collection that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
In his impressive latest collection of short stories, Harris takes a deep dive into the complexities of what it means to be human in times of tumultuous transition. Tracing the journeys of a diverse mix of people living in a chaotic age, the author takes on the difficulties of our time, such as environmental concerns and inequality while delving into themes of love, familial ties, friendship, trauma, grief, regret, and redemption. The affecting opening story, titled “Land Mines,” sees a troubled woman coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t need to steal in order to escape her daily struggles. In “The Mink Coat”, the protagonist, who is struggling to cope with the feeling of being disconnected, finally musters up the courage to confront her inner fears after reading old letters from her dead mother. In “Doubles,” a journalist down on his luck enlists the help of two Chicano gang members to aid his tennis partner. However, events take a dangerous turn and he finds himself in an extremely perilous situation. In “Damascus,” after winning a multimillion-dollar lottery jackpot, a struggling writer’s life is changed in unexpected ways. Each unlikely interaction has an unexpected result for the characters. For example, the life of a young boy dealing with bullying and trauma is changed for good after meeting a camping instructor in the story “Trail’s End.” Similarly, in the heartrending “Chicken Soup”, an elderly woman living alone and an undocumented immigrant find comfort in their shared misfortunes whereas in the compelling “Misfits,” a depressed accountant is left heartbroken after he realizes he can’t alter the course of a young eco-warrior he encountered in a parking lot. Most of the stories follow a theme of discontent and displacement, yet ultimately conclude with some form of optimism and hope. The father in “Mute” is faced with the heartbreaking challenge of his son’s severe autism but ultimately finds a ray of light, however small. In “Tikkun Olam,” a woman makes the decision to assist a lost young man after almost giving up on him. The stories in the collection are far from mundane and clichè: Harris skillfully escapes platitudes in his writing, and his sentences contain vivid imagery and expressions. Best of all, they possess an unexpected flair. Compelling, timely tales that speak to a variety of people’s experiences.
Misfits
Mark Jonathan Harris
Atmosphere Press
Pub date October 10, 2023
ISBN 978-1639889891
Price $16.99 (USD) Paperback, $8.99 Kindle edition
