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by Stephen Deck (Author)
"Deck writes up a storm... with a seemingly infinite range of styles from sparse Hemingway to rococo - Faulkner and beyond. From this exceptional observation of details comes vivid and luminous images, and from the juxtaposition of these images he builds his stories."
- John M. Del Vecchio
author of The 13th Valley
(finalist for the National Book Award)
Set over 25 years, Stephen Deck's diverse collection of short stories and poems illustrate the power of the human heart to face hardship with hope and courage.
Find thrilling accounts of political violence and grit in "Watering Cans," the tale told on Irish soil of "Practicing Law," and the poem "Simple Math." In the story of "Texas Hardpan", the family grieves for their daughter at the graveyard burial, and in "A Requiem for Fredes Mendez," a son mourns the death of his father, who had been the reigning Featherweight Champion of The World.
Hailed for its authenticity by those who fought in the jungles of Vietnam, the combat story of "Dolly Dagger" unearths the suffering of Vietnam veteran Merle Long on the fateful morning his Marine company got overrun by the 324th NVA Regiment. How will he overcome the jeering of his own countrymen when he returns, missing parts of his body?
Wrestle with life's meaning and the Christian faith in "The Mexicans" and "Christ Belongs to the Whole World," and step into the joys and traits of family relationships in "May Rain," and "The Last Straw."
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen Crane, and Ernest Hemingway, and Cormac McCarthy, Deck's tales beautifully expound upon the virtues of fortitude, mercy, prayer, and humor in the face of life's many trials and simple joys.
"I found the writing to be authentic, and the author captures the essence of his characters with striking clarity, whether depicting personal loss, historical events, or true-to-life relationships ... While all these might seem like a mixed bag, the amalgamation absolutely works on account of Deck's skilled handling."
- Asher Syed for Readers Favorite.
"This is a brilliant collection of classic American tales that showcases a variety of attitudes and ideals across the diverse landscape of recent American history. There's both a disparate and unifying feel to the work, with dialogue and descriptions that bring American politics, humor, satire, and deep personal drama to life."
- K.C. Finn for Readers Favorite
