Gary Percesepe

Moratorium by Gary Percesepe is a collection of short stories that will have something for just about anyone. If there is a common element to them it is the sense of feeling, whether of loss, love, confusion, or whatever.

These stories range from about 24 pages to just 6 paragraphs, yet each burrows into the reader's mind as well as heart. I think one of the things I found most appealing was how we were presented with characters who are certainly flawed but they are given to us without either hyperbole or judgement. We can dwell in the situations, ponder what we think about them and their actions. And consider what we think we might do under the same circumstances.

Many of these stories are less traditional in that they almost appear to be snippets from longer stories. But they are fully realized if the reader considers inhabiting someone's thoughts during a time (whether a number of years or just a short time) as one of the goals of a short story. In other words, to use the beginning/middle/end concept, I think many of the ends here take place in the reader's minds rather than on the page. We play a large role in creating the completed story.

I recommend this to readers of short stories, though admittedly those who insist on complete and total closure will find some of the stories less satisfying. If, however, you like reading characters who stay with you after you have finished the story, you will enjoy this tremendously, and might end up with an overpopulated mind.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (meer)