First published 2007
In the title novella, residents of a small Midwestern community gather to mourn a young soldier killed in Iraq. Each person brings their own voice to this collective ritual of grief. Parents struggle with their son's sacrifice while family members clash over questions of patriotism and pacifism. The town becomes a stage where ancient patterns of human sorrow and rage play out against modern warfare. Eight accompanying stories explore different facets of human experience. A Greek bakery owner and his cheerful wife navigate their contrasting temperaments. An aging person confronts the inevitable decline of body and mind. Solon discovers that his neat categories cannot contain the messy reality of relationships between men and women. Mathon Sarlas wrestles with choosing the right marriage partner. A dishwasher clings to hope that something endures beyond death despite reason's cold logic. The remaining tales follow characters through summer adventures, coming of age moments, and encounters with racial complexity. Each story captures specific cultural textures and geographical details while revealing universal human struggles.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, american-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, grief
Setting: Midwest, United States
Period: 21st-century
184 pages · Hardcover · Southern Illinois University Press
Content warnings: death