FICTION
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SHORT STORIES
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Photo credit:
Jeff Kubina
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Photo credit:
Luc Viatour
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Photo credit:
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Merrimon Book Reviews
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Something Hidden
Stories
by Elaine Margolis
Imagination
Inspiring
In a collection of
thirteen short stories, some previously published in various magazines
and journals and others never before released, SOMETHING HIDDEN brings together a
wide range of tales to inspire the imagination. Elaine Margolis
turns her vision to the world of roller discos, construction sites,
bars, bikers and surfers. Interspersed in between tales of
workers and workplaces, haunting tales of objects and supernatural
legacies emphasize the themes that tie all the stories together
--- those things hidden beneath the surface that alienate or
create richness in human relationships, those things hidden within
objects or people that add a magical element to life itself. Some
of the more haunting stories have a light horror element (without the
gore frequent in today's horror genre) as unexpected supernatural
twists create eerie bonds between people and/or objects. Other
stories bring out the heroic qualities in everyday people or everyday
moments. And others leave a reader with a feeling of hope.
In "Two For One," through the eyes of a co-worker, Elaine Margolis
tells an uplifting story of Kate O'Grady, a woman who tracks bloodlines
of race horses. "Intangibles" focuses on a construction workplace
accident and the intangible yet ever so present forces
behind the scenes. "Ynez at the Roller Dome Disco", a coming of
age story, paints a slightly sad portrait of life at a roller disco
through the eyes of the young Tod who watches the transformations in
himself and his co-worker Ynez. "The Fritz and Keri Show" tells
the story of art, music and friendship and above all of alienation and
intimacy. Through an object, Mrs. Hammond discovers a new
perspective on her family in "The Dragon Box". In "A Biker's
Requiem," a father sees a different side of his son previously unknown
through his son's friends. In "The Exchange," one of the most
haunting tales of the collection, a friendship leads to unexpected
consequences. "Vibes" develops the themes of intimacy and
alienation when two couples meet in a bar while Monday Night Football
plays on the television. In "Denizens," Elaine Margolis looks a
Melrose Avenue and a woman's sexuality through the eyes of Mrs.
Prescott as she goes into a shop to pick up an altered dress.
"The Charm" tells an eerie tale of Meg's childhood and the passing on
of a legacy. In "Something Hidden," a chance encounter with a
mime in Paris leads a young artist to look deeper into her self and her
fears. "The Crystal Cafe" looks at the tougness of the streets,
the generosity of spirit, and the transformations surrounding the
history of a cafe. "The Other Side of the Wave" is a perfect end
to the collection with its beckoning and leave-taking, coincidence or
perhaps something a little more.
Elaine Margolis writes in first and third person narratives, in each
case choosing the best voice for each story. Her almost
conversational writing style, is fast-paced easy to read, drawing the
reader into the characters or the conflict so well encapsulated within
each story. Don't let the simplicity of her style fool you ---
each story is masterfully constructed. Each story ends with a
well-prepared twist that leaves the reader with the maximum effect
without any unnecessary diversions. Elaine Margolis utilizes the short
story form with perfection --- each story is tightly constructed,
boiled down to its essential elements, and yet leaves the reader with
powerful effect. Whether it be an object or a human being that
she describes, Elaine Margolis has a gift for bringing forth the hidden
elements within the worlds she creates. SOMETHING HIDDEN is the perfect
choice for readers who want variety within a short story collection but
also want a unifying vision between stories. SOMETHING HIDDEN is just the right
choice for those evenings when one has little time to read but craves a
short story that will inspire the imagination.
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
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