Wednesday, March 22, 2023

"Blue Skies" Erin McGraw

 


Every so often I pick up this collection and read another story. George sent it to me two years ago and I have enjoyed the stories I have read. They are mostly about people struggling to survive in an often inhospitable USA. 

In this one, Constance has had a rocky six-year marriage. It seems like her husband has finally kicked drinking and has a steady, if low paying, job. And then his old drinking buddy, Monty turns up and their immediate camaraderie is worrisome. Monty seems different and has some ideas about how the three of them can make a better living. But Constance doesn't trust him. Or her husband. But can she quit him anymore than he can quit drink. A well-written story with good details. 


George Kelley

Kevin Tipple 

TracyK 

Casual Debri

Jerry House

Todd Mason

10 comments:

Jeff Meyerson said...

We're leaving for home this morning. Read the John Dickson Carr collection, which was a lot of fun. Now back to Fredric Brown's MOSTLY MURDER.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Have a safe and easy trip, Jeff. I do want to read the Carr collection.

George said...

Glad you enjoyed LIES OF THE SAINTS. Very thought-provoking stories!

TracyK said...

This sounds like an interesting set of stories. And your description of the story is very good. Sometimes I struggle to describe a story with just enough useful information (as in my post today).

Anonymous said...

I always struggle , especially with a short story. Often its theme or point is less obvious to me. They fall somewhere between poetry and a novel.

Todd Mason said...

My belated entry for today:
https://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/2023/03/short-story-wednesday-1989.html

Todd Mason said...

McGraw is another that I think I'll need to get to.

Todd Mason said...

And not giving away everything about a story is sometimes a challenge in reviewing short fiction.

Margot Kinberg said...

That's really interesting Patti - to think of relationships as addicting in the way that alcohol and other drugs can be. That offers several possibilities, and it sounds as though that's explored well here.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Thanks, Margot. Hope your weather has improved.