Monday, March 25, 2013

**Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Appearances and Other Stories ~ Margo Krasne**

I'm so happy to be today's stop on the blog tour for Margo Krasne's Appearances and Other Stories. This blog tour is being hosted by Virtual Author Book Tours. Today you'll find my review of Ms. Krasne's book as well as a tour wide giveaway. Check back tomorrow to read my interview with Ms. Krasne. 

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Publisher: Wasteland Press, October 23, 2012
Category: Fiction- Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Relationships
Tour Dates: March, 2013
Available in: Print, 160 pages
In this debut collection, Krasne wields insightful irony and cathartic black humor to illuminate her themes of loss, yearning and survival, bringing to it a biting female perspective. An adept stylist with an ear for dialogue and an eye for personal foibles, Krasne cleverly captures the distinct voices of her characters as they strive to negotiate the subtle and not-so-subtle minefields of family obligation and personal conflict. She has a knack for getting inside her characters’ heads as they strive to keep up appearances. Readers will most surely recognize themselves, their friends and family members in all of these beautifully rendered stories.

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MY REVIEW:
Appearances and Other Stories is a lovely collection of short stories. They all have a common thread so they flow together very nicely. Also, they are written so very eloquently. I was shocked when I turned the page and I had reached the end.

The first part of the collection is entitled The Wallachs. It is a story of the Wallach family, a Jewish family living in New York, but centers mostly on the youngest daughter, Alice. It was an interesting glimpse into family dynamics and perceptions. I was riveted by Alice's story and heartbroken for her to find all that she did when dealing with the grief at the end of her different family members' lives.

There is also the story of Janet, a former cabaret sginer dealing with a life after the death of her husband and pianist. Her story spoke to new beginnings and also how one can never completely let go of the past.

Then there is the story of Laura and Betts, two college friends who reconnect only to drift out of one another's lives again. 

And finally, the story of Rita Sopher, or "Soph". Soph finds herself at the end of her life sooner than she'd anticipated. She must determine how to deal with the time she has left as well as the legacy she wishes to leave.

All in all, Appearances is a collection of stories about how we all live our lives, peoples' different perspectives of others' lives and their own and the influence others have on our lives, both real and perceived. It is beautifully written and deeply moving. For me, it inspired personal reflection as each of the characters' revelations are revealed. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.



** 4 1/2 Worms


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Buy Appearances here:
Amazon (print)
Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble

Margo is kindly offering a print copy of Appearances to one lucky winner. Sorry, this is open to US only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway






4 comments:

  1. I read short story collections occasionally, and I always love when there is a common theme or connection. This sounds like a lovely collection. Great review, Brandee!

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  2. I'm glad you enjoyed Appearances so much! I loved it!

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  3. While this isn't my normal type of read because it's hard for me to really get into short stories and sad stories as well, your review was fabulous! I really loved reading about the things you took away from this one and all that it has to offer. Thank you so much for sharing! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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  4. Wonderful review. I love short stories, so this is so on my TBR! :) Thanks for sharing!

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??