The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind

Fab, up to his normal standard!

Short stories. His novels are so much better.

I bought this because I really enjoyed "Snow Falling on Cedars" and another novel about a surgeon who was terminally ill (can't recall the title) which I also rated highly. However, I gave up on this book after reading a couple of the stories which , although well written, I found were male-orientated - for example a hunting expedition - and didn't appeal to me.

These short stories were very disappointing to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's book "Snow Falling On Cedars", so I expected the short story book to be as engrossing and enjoyable. Unfortunately, that wasn't so and I found the short stories somewhat boring. Even though the author's creative writing skills are evident, the stories, themselves, were not interesting enough for me to recommend this book without reservations. It may be, also, that the meanings of the individual stories were not clear enough and easy to understand. I think there may be deep life messages in the book, but it was difficult for me, personally, to grasp the messages.

Not all novelists are good short story writers. This collection is the exception. Using the background of small town life, this author has brought characters to life leaving me, as a reader, wanting more at the end of each one. A great from an novelist with a bright future!