Linden Frederick

It's a coffee table book! It's an art exhibit! It's both, and it's a remarkable reflection of the rhythm of the night and the everyday people who occupy it in every uniquely possible way. The paintings by Linden Frederick, based in Belfast, Maine, are all in twilight or the wee dark hours in small town streets, stores, highways, and each author chose one of 15 paintings and conjured up the lives of the inhabitants. There's only good and haunting sketches here, and no surprise to me that the standout belongs to Dennis Lehane, in "Offramp", the cover picture. No story is longer than 6 pages, so the ability to be succinct is of the essence. Richard Russo was the first author approached, and his story "Downstairs" is also outstanding. Some of the other writers: Andre Dubus III, Lily King, Luanne Rice, Louise Erdrich, Elizabeth Strout, and Ann Patchett. This is a book to own and cherish, and see the exhibit if you can.

Quote: "Like a lot of women of her generation and standing, she was too smart for the hole they'd crammed her into but too scared to do anything about it." - Lehane… (mais)