Raw, unflinching, and candid; a powerful exploration of the complexities of human emotion and the enduring struggle for connection.
Hanson’s latest, a collection of seven short stories, is a taut and finely tuned exploration of trauma, identity, and the fragile bonds that hold people together. The book begins with “Fresh Hell,” a tense piece that throws a man without memory or identity into a confusing landscape. Hanson skillfully conveys the protagonist’s anxiety and disorientation, pulling the reader into a world where identity is a challenging puzzle. As the protagonist navigates his unfamiliar surroundings, the story explores existential dread and the struggle to reclaim a sense of self. This unsettling yet engaging opener establishes a relentless tone for the rest of the collection.
In “Dolly,” a man is forced to confront who he is after a life-altering accident. Hanson deftly navigates themes of identity and self-worth, using the protagonist’s struggle to reveal how fragile those concepts can be. Hanson’s writing is lean and precise. He balances lyrical beauty with stark honesty, allowing the stories to breathe without ever losing their grip on the reader. His characters are multifaceted and flawed, their struggles raw and unvarnished. They grapple with real issues: loss, guilt, fear, and the pain of moving forward. “Puppies” contrasts childhood joy with the harsh realities of growing up. The story follows a young girl captivated by a new litter of puppies, but it reveals the responsibilities and heartbreak involved in caring for them. This tension between innocence and the inevitable losses of life creates a lasting impact, leaving the reader with a sense of weight long after the final sentence. “The Burden” confronts the weight of unresolved guilt head-on. Hanson’s tight prose and vivid internal monologues pull the reader into the protagonist’s turmoil, exposing how guilt can eat away at relationships and distort reality. “Bad Traffic” turns a mundane traffic jam into a sharp metaphor for personal stagnation.
Hanson doesn’t shy away from darkness, but he doesn’t dwell in it either. Each story confronts something—whether it’s the self, the past, or the breakdown of human connections. “It’ll Grow Back” tackles themes of loss and change, focusing on how external transformations can disrupt a person’s sense of identity. The story lands quietly but leaves a strong impression, showing that resilience often comes from unexpected sources. “Corner Booth,” a story about a man struggling with his own isolation in the solitude of a quiet diner, unfolds like a well-rehearsed play, each moment filled with unspoken longing and disconnection. The setting amplifies his loneliness, and Hanson skillfully uses every interaction and glance to heighten the tension.
The book engages readers directly, providing no easy escapes. The stories avoid simplistic resolutions and comforting conclusions, instead delving into the messy, uncomfortable truths of the human experience. They reveal the resilience required to persevere when everything seems to unravel. Yet, for all the darkness, there’s a current of hope that runs through the collection, suggesting that healing, while slow and painful, is possible.
A powerful and thought-provoking collection that will linger in readers’ minds long after they turn the final page.
BookBaby
Pub date November 12, 2024
ISBN 979-8350968903
Price $16.00 (USD) Paperback, $7.99 Kindle edition
