Generally, I dislike writing these book reviews, but I do it because I think it is good for me (keeps my lit analysis skillz in shape, a little at least), but I’m actually excited about this one because I am so excited to tell you about this awesome book!
It is a collection of short stories called Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson. I believe this is his first published book. These eleven stories are about loneliness, the struggles of coming of age, and love. Thematically (and perhaps a bit stylistically) they remind me of the stories in Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, which is officially one of my favorite books. (In fact, in the bonus features of this book, Wilson cites an Anderson story as the inspiration for one of his own and he is quoted in one of the epigraphs of the book, which I’ll talk about in a minute.) Most of these stories are a fascinating mix of the realistic and the just slightly absurd. Absurd enough to make it fun and unique and humorous, but realistic enough for the stories to resonate. Some of the story endings in this book are hopeful, some calmly sad, and some ambigeuous.
While not all of the stories have the fantastic element that I mentioned above, my two favorites did. “Blowing up on the Spot” is about a man whose job is to collect the Qs in a Scrabble tile factory and whose parents spontaneously combusted on the subway. He fears spontaneously combusting himself, and also worries for his younger brother, who has been suicidal since their parents’ death. “The Choir Director Affair (The Baby’s Teeth)” is the story of a man’s affair, intertwined with the main character’s fascination for the man’s son, a baby with a premature full set of teeth. And, if that wasn’t enough, the story is successfully narrated in the second person point of view. Whoa. I was amazed. The underlying seriousness of issues like suicide and adultry are skillfully mixed with the strange story elements, making for unpredictable and enjoyable reads.
One last thing: usually I’m not impressed by epigraphs in books because I don’t often see the connection to the story and because I don’t really like quotes, but the two that Wilson chose for this book of stories perfectly encompassed Wilson’s writing, I thought.
There’s nothing in this warm, vegetal dusk that is not beautiful or that will last. “Tropical Courtyard” by Joe Bolton
One hopes for so much from a chicken and is so dreadfully disillusioned. “The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson
Though I liked some more than others, there wasn’t a story in the book that I disliked. I will definitely keep an eye out for whatever Kevin Wilson writes next. I’m so excited about the possiblity of this author. If he keeps it up, he will definitely be a new favorite of mine. Best book I’ve read this year!
I’ll have to add this to my list of books to check for at the library : ) If they actually have it, I’ll be sure to let you know what I think!
I’m hooked.
As a follow-up, my library doesn’t have this book. I’ll have to look elsewhere.