| Those of you who read my journal
regularly already know, but I'll share here for those who don't.
Things Kept, Things Left Behind, the collection of eleven short
stories that won the 2006 Iowa Short Fiction Award, was written by my
husband, Jim Tomlinson. The book was published by University of
Iowa Press with a release date of October 1 and is available now
through local bookstores and online sources.
It may be impossible for me to write anything about this book without
coming across as prejudiced, so I'm tempted just to quote reviews and
other sources and let it go at that...only I can't do that and still
feel like I'm being fair to those who visit here.
I had the rare opportunity to watch as JimT wrote
each of the eleven stories in this collection - from concept to first
words to the edited, finished piece - and I understand the care he
took in framing them. These are stories of people, more than
events, and their struggle to find themselves in the midst of
influences that push them first one way, then another. The
characters in each are so well crafted, they become as real as your
best friend or your next door neighbor.
If I'm allowed a favorite character, it's Cheryl in
"First Husband, First Wife." Three times married and divorced,
she finds herself drawn back to her first husband, a dreamer and a
ne'er-do-well who involves her in his get-rich scheme that lands him
in prison and Cheryl in court. In many ways, Cheryl is
incredibly naive, yet she has a sense of honesty that touches my
heart.
As I said, I am prejudiced, so I won't ask you to
take my word alone for the quality of writing. The following are
quotes from reviews of the book.
-
From
a starred review in the August 1 Kirkus Review -
"A wonderful collection notable for its clean prose and tone
of quiet, stubborn dignity."
-
Jill McCorkle - "A perfect collection of headshots and
heartshots from a gifted, first-rate storyteller."
-
George Saunders - "...a very specific and eye-opening
version of...working-class rural America. [Tomlinson’s] care
for these people and his generosity toward them are evident on
every page."
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You can read about the writing of
these stories in my husband's words
here on Backstory and in an
interview by Jennifer Prado. Additional information on the
book is available on
JimT's
website.
Editing to add that
there is an excellent online interview by Elizabeth Glixman here in
Eclectica Magazine.
The book is available at local
bookstores and from
these
online sources. If you'd rather have a signed copy, you
can order it
here.
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