As always, Alice Munro surprises us with her latest collection of nine stories, each uniquely her own yet subtly different. The title story spans from post-war small-town Ontario to a nearly deserted hotel on the Saskatchewan prairie, where two lives are irrevocably altered by a random act of mischief that remains undisclosed. “Floating Bridge” features Jinny, a 42-year-old battling cancer, as her husband hires a caregiver and they visit the girl’s trailer park relatives, exposing class tensions. An unforgettable twist concludes the story in a way that lingers in the reader's mind. Other narratives include a flirtatious reunion with a teenage sweetheart that takes a tragic turn when he reveals the heartbreaking loss of their youngest son, killed in an accident. Munro’s settings range from Vancouver Island to small-town Ontario and Toronto, yet the themes are universal. The characters—truly, the people—are rendered with such depth that they remain etched in memory long after the last page is turned. This collection showcases Munro’s unparalleled ability to weave intricate tales that resonate deeply with readers.
Rose-Marie Nielsen Books
Dimensions; Fiction; Wenlock Edge; Deep-Holes; Free radicals; Face; Some Women; Child's Play; Wood; Too Much Happiness