"Marley's Mom" is the story of a young boy who only wants to sit on the couch and watch reruns with his mother, but she's too busy to spend quality time with him—and his wish finally comes true with a certain finality. In "Mr. Lewis & the Lucky Zebra," a young gambler who knows his math tries his luck gambling at the Lucky Zebra. After crapping out and owing the casino a large debt, he makes a deal with the owner to settle by "operating" one of the machines. Adrian quickly learns to never bet against the house. Highly entertaining and creative, these stories will pull readers in with clear, suspenseful situations that resonate.
Pierre-Louis writes crisp, clear prose that wastes few words. Dialogue is sharp, and the sense of place in a story like “Lake Shore Drive” is poignantly tangible: “The cars with the biggest rims, flashiest lights, and curviest curves slowly rolled past. The machines seduced and called out like they were in heat.” This character-driven, idea-rich collection exploring complex conceptions of love is a quick, engaging read despite its thoughtful seriousness, and a few stories that end abruptly.
Takeaway: An imaginative anthology that explores love while incorporating elements of science fiction.
Great for fans of: N.K. Jemisin’s How Long ‘Til Black Future Month, Dahlia Adler’s His Hideous Heart.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
Everyday people stumble into extraordinary circumstances in Pierre-Louis’ debut short story collection.
In the opening tale, “Marley’s Mom,” a 5-year-old boy craves his mother’s attention and affection. He dreads the lonely evenings when she goes out—especially when she gets home late. The struggle to hold on to family or some other kind of union is a theme coursing through the works in this compact but compelling book. For example, ex-gambler Adrian Lewis of “Mr. Lewis & The Lucky Zebra” connects with Elise, a keen, headstrong banker, but when his lingering debt at an Indiana casino threatens the couple’s future marriage, he must clear what he owes. In “An Essential Worker,” office worker Raul has grown accustomed to watching fellow employees pack up their things and leave—but one bizarre day, it appears that everyone except him has vacated the office. The collection’s highlight comes in the latter half: a series of stories involving aspiring Chicago artist Jamie and his newfound romance with Eva. She’s a wealthy, successful sex worker who’s hoping that she and Jamie will share something more profound than physical. Throughout, this collection features a commendable range of characters, including a bar owner who serves drinks as well as retribution in “Matron”and a bored god who immerses himself in mortals’ curious holiday tradition in “God in a Window.”Pierre-Louis’ lyrical prose makes spectacular sights seem oddly familiar, such as a lion with an otherworldly glow in “The Golden Lion” or, in the case of Jamie’s cluttered studio apartment, just the opposite: “Even the eggshell white walls caught a stray splash of color. Magenta, cerulean, and midnight made their debut as accidental abstracts.” One will only wish that the stories were longer.
A compilation of poetic, earnest, and arresting tales.
