Beautifully crafted, captivating, and emotionally-charged stories with palpable tension.
The mundane rhythm of daily existence becomes a voyage of self-discovery for various characters in Alexander’s collection of short stories. Through sweeping tales of outcasts and rebels, readers follow the tumultuous journeys of individuals on the fringes of society who unite in a quest for liberation and self-discovery. One such tale, “Backyards,” follows the unconventional friendship between a rebellious young girl and the daughter of a pariah. In “Walter and Gabriella,” a seemingly innocent discovery leads to life-altering changes for a young couple. “First Morning” paints a poignant portrait of a woman’s first day after her long-due separation. Other stories plunge readers into deeper themes, such as “Blue Apron,” where a prostitute and her daughter’s lives are upended by a controlling police officer. The stories in the collection are a delicate balance between light and dark, each one offering a glimpse into the complexities of life. In the affecting “Days of Our Lives,” readers witness the inner turmoil of a woman struggling with her fractured relationship with her estranged sister, while “Where I Work” paints a picture of a steadfast bond between a seasoned secretary and her eccentric boss. Alexander’s evocative touch draws in readers, along with believable characters (for instance, amidst the glossy facade of wealth and glamour, a couple studying to be research librarians gets swept away, while a struggling poet forms an unexpected alliance with a troubled soul.) These moving tales traverse a spectrum of sentiments, unraveling broken relationships, lost loved ones, relentless desolation, and the harsh truths of life. This collection of profound narratives filled with an array of captivating personalities is a stunner.
From the Margins
Stories of Those Living on the Edge
Catherine Alexander
Hatchfield Press
Pub date October 6, 2023
ISBN 979-8985007541
Price $15.95 (USD) Paperback, $5. 99 Kindle edition
