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The Sense of Touch
Named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2014
Sprung from the variously lush, rugged, and frozen emotional landscapes of the north country, this luminous collection of stories captures the progress of a diverse ensemble of souls as they struggle to uncover themselves and negotiate a meaningful communion, of any kind, with the world around them. A brilliant but troubled Bangladeshi physics student searches for balance, acceptance, and his own extraordinary destiny after his father disappears. When a Halloween blizzard immobilizes Minneapolis, a young woman is forced to confront the snow-bound nature of her own relationships and emotions. During an excursion to an idyllic swimming hole hidden in the Black Hills, two old friends unexpectedly compete for the affections of an irresistible, though married, Lakota woman. Like a mythical expedition to reach the horizon or the quest to distill truth from the beauty around us, the revelation confirmed by these imaginative stories - elegant, sometimes jarring, always wonderfully absurd - is that the very act of reaching is itself a form of touch.
“The quiet plains of the North Country serve as a perfect backdrop for Parsons’ moving debut, a collection of short stories whose characters often live deeply solitary, if not always lonely, lives.”
-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Eloquently written and replete with a continual stream of un-hackneyed twists and turns, Parsons’ collection is superbly crafted. Engaging, riveting, and at times, mind-boggling, The Sense of Touch is earmarked to become a literary classic.”
-- San Francisco Book Review (five-star review)
"Parsons has made himself a man to watch in the literary world. Each of these stories is as thrilling as the next."
-- Portland Book Review (five-star review)
"Each story is honed with purpose and infused with subtle energies. He creates delicate lines between the frigid cosmos and the warmth that can be generated among people. Parsons' writing has a strong pulse. This debut assortment heralds his promising career." -- The US Review of Books (Top-Rated Recommended Review)
Sprung from the variously lush, rugged, and frozen emotional landscapes of the north country, this luminous collection of stories captures the progress of a diverse ensemble of souls as they struggle to uncover themselves and negotiate a meaningful communion, of any kind, with the world around them. A brilliant but troubled Bangladeshi physics student searches for balance, acceptance, and his own extraordinary destiny after his father disappears. When a Halloween blizzard immobilizes Minneapolis, a young woman is forced to confront the snow-bound nature of her own relationships and emotions. During an excursion to an idyllic swimming hole hidden in the Black Hills, two old friends unexpectedly compete for the affections of an irresistible, though married, Lakota woman. Like a mythical expedition to reach the horizon or the quest to distill truth from the beauty around us, the revelation confirmed by these imaginative stories - elegant, sometimes jarring, always wonderfully absurd - is that the very act of reaching is itself a form of touch.
“The quiet plains of the North Country serve as a perfect backdrop for Parsons’ moving debut, a collection of short stories whose characters often live deeply solitary, if not always lonely, lives.”
-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Eloquently written and replete with a continual stream of un-hackneyed twists and turns, Parsons’ collection is superbly crafted. Engaging, riveting, and at times, mind-boggling, The Sense of Touch is earmarked to become a literary classic.”
-- San Francisco Book Review (five-star review)
"Parsons has made himself a man to watch in the literary world. Each of these stories is as thrilling as the next."
-- Portland Book Review (five-star review)
"Each story is honed with purpose and infused with subtle energies. He creates delicate lines between the frigid cosmos and the warmth that can be generated among people. Parsons' writing has a strong pulse. This debut assortment heralds his promising career." -- The US Review of Books (Top-Rated Recommended Review)
251 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2013
7 people are currently reading
1932 people want to read
About the author
Ron Parsons
1 book157 followersRON PARSONS is a writer living in Sioux Falls. Born in Michigan and raised in South Dakota, he was inspired to begin writing fiction in Minneapolis while attending the University of Minnesota. His short stories have appeared in many literary magazines and venues, including The Gettysburg Review, Indiana Review, Storyville App, The Briar Cliff Review, Flyway, and The Onion.
His debut collection of stories, THE SENSE OF TOUCH, was released by Aqueous Books and was named to Kirkus Review's Best Books of 2014 with a starred review.
About the collection:
Old friends uncomfortably reunited and lovers who cling to their distance from one another; disappearing fathers, fiercely loving grandfathers, and strangers who pass through and radically change lives...These are among the characters who populate the rugged Midwestern landscapes of the mesmerizing fiction world of Ron Parsons. In his debut collection, THE SENSE OF TOUCH (Aqueous Books 2013), Parsons captures people of various ages in the act of searching for meaning and connection and themselves. Firmly set in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan, the lush but often brutally cold heartland of America, the eight stories explore universal themes--loneliness, betrayal, transformation, hope--in fresh, sometimes fanciful, sometimes comical, sometimes jarring, and always moving and memorable ways.
In THE SENSE OF TOUCH, readers will meet:
* Naseem Sayem, the brilliant, troubled, and mystifying young man at the center of "Hezekiah Number Three." A native of Bangladesh abruptly transplanted to the stark white suburbs of Rapid City at age nine, Naseem never fit in and eventually moved on to study physics at MIT--where, shortly before graduation and after shocking news of his father's infidelity and abandonment, he apparently unraveled and vanished. Three months later, he reappeared out of the blue on his stepmom's doorstep, holding a three-legged cat. Naseem's long search for belonging reaches its apex in a hot air balloon floating over the Crazy Horse Monument.
* Waylon Baker, wheat farmer from birth, and Evie Lund, his wife of twenty-four years and counting, even though she had chosen to live far away--in the alien world of the Twin Cities--for eight years. The odd couple at the heart of "Beginning with Minneapolis," Waylon and Evie can't bear to live together or to divorce because they still love each other with a passion, reignited when they find themselves deep in the dirt, in a hole Waylon dug in his wheat field to serve as Evie's grave.
* The nameless narrator of "The Sense of Touch," a serious, young freshman at the University of Minnesota, fleeing yet still attached to his youth in Texas, haunted both by its predatory demons and its romantic dreams. His liberation comes through an alluring muse: his fiction-writing teacher. A ravishing, wild-haired, Memphis-born African-American graduate student, Vonda speaks directly to him when she makes her dramatic pronouncements. Like, "Our masks are not worn, people. They're grown, day by day." And "Never trust anything, not until you can touch it. With touch, you know you know."
The old friends in "The Black Hills," long separated by distance and tragedy, who unexpectedly compete for the affections of a lovely, vulnerable, and married Lakota woman...the young woman who, in the midst of a Halloween blizzard, stumbles into saving an elderly piano teacher's life and faces hard facts about her own snow-bound relationships and emotions in "As Her Heart Is Navigated"...the exceptional grandfather in "Big Blue" and the playboy reformed by someone else's grandson in "Moonlight Bowling"...and the professor of dead languages facing the mysteries of mortality in "Be Not Afraid of the Universe"... Through Ron Parsons, they all come to life, vividly and with emotional resonance, and work their way into the minds and hearts of readers.
His debut collection of stories, THE SENSE OF TOUCH, was released by Aqueous Books and was named to Kirkus Review's Best Books of 2014 with a starred review.
About the collection:
Old friends uncomfortably reunited and lovers who cling to their distance from one another; disappearing fathers, fiercely loving grandfathers, and strangers who pass through and radically change lives...These are among the characters who populate the rugged Midwestern landscapes of the mesmerizing fiction world of Ron Parsons. In his debut collection, THE SENSE OF TOUCH (Aqueous Books 2013), Parsons captures people of various ages in the act of searching for meaning and connection and themselves. Firmly set in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan, the lush but often brutally cold heartland of America, the eight stories explore universal themes--loneliness, betrayal, transformation, hope--in fresh, sometimes fanciful, sometimes comical, sometimes jarring, and always moving and memorable ways.
In THE SENSE OF TOUCH, readers will meet:
* Naseem Sayem, the brilliant, troubled, and mystifying young man at the center of "Hezekiah Number Three." A native of Bangladesh abruptly transplanted to the stark white suburbs of Rapid City at age nine, Naseem never fit in and eventually moved on to study physics at MIT--where, shortly before graduation and after shocking news of his father's infidelity and abandonment, he apparently unraveled and vanished. Three months later, he reappeared out of the blue on his stepmom's doorstep, holding a three-legged cat. Naseem's long search for belonging reaches its apex in a hot air balloon floating over the Crazy Horse Monument.
* Waylon Baker, wheat farmer from birth, and Evie Lund, his wife of twenty-four years and counting, even though she had chosen to live far away--in the alien world of the Twin Cities--for eight years. The odd couple at the heart of "Beginning with Minneapolis," Waylon and Evie can't bear to live together or to divorce because they still love each other with a passion, reignited when they find themselves deep in the dirt, in a hole Waylon dug in his wheat field to serve as Evie's grave.
* The nameless narrator of "The Sense of Touch," a serious, young freshman at the University of Minnesota, fleeing yet still attached to his youth in Texas, haunted both by its predatory demons and its romantic dreams. His liberation comes through an alluring muse: his fiction-writing teacher. A ravishing, wild-haired, Memphis-born African-American graduate student, Vonda speaks directly to him when she makes her dramatic pronouncements. Like, "Our masks are not worn, people. They're grown, day by day." And "Never trust anything, not until you can touch it. With touch, you know you know."
The old friends in "The Black Hills," long separated by distance and tragedy, who unexpectedly compete for the affections of a lovely, vulnerable, and married Lakota woman...the young woman who, in the midst of a Halloween blizzard, stumbles into saving an elderly piano teacher's life and faces hard facts about her own snow-bound relationships and emotions in "As Her Heart Is Navigated"...the exceptional grandfather in "Big Blue" and the playboy reformed by someone else's grandson in "Moonlight Bowling"...and the professor of dead languages facing the mysteries of mortality in "Be Not Afraid of the Universe"... Through Ron Parsons, they all come to life, vividly and with emotional resonance, and work their way into the minds and hearts of readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 16, 2022
Fragile, lush, under glass; mixed with the hardiness and harshness of the plains, of the dirt and blue sky vastness.
September 16, 2013
I enjoyed this debut collection of short stories by Ron Parsons. The characters are interesting and their stories are well-told. Reading them reminded me of Winesburg, Ohio, another narrative of life in the Midwest. Each story pulls the reader into a mile trek in a stranger's shoes - you touch the texture of lives and find alienation, longings, and loves woven together, as they must be to keep out the cold.
The writing is clear with mature observances that rang true to my understanding of humanity. I highlighted sentences particularly well done--something I've not been moved to do in quite awhile. In any case, I hope Ron continues to write and publish--perhaps a novel next time?
November 13, 2013
*FIRST READS*
I am required to say that I won this book on a goodreads giveaway.
There's something really exciting about a writer sending you his own book to read and review. I just went to the post office and picked up a package sent to me by the author himself. I always treat people who show me their own work with care and respect, and I tend to be really excited about this kind of things. It happened to me with performers and filmmakers but never with real authors, and this somehow feels more personal.
I really enjoyed "The Sense of Touch", Ron Parsons' first collection of short stories. Maybe it's because he's a new writer that nobody around me has ever heard about, and it makes the interaction between the two of us more interesting already. But it is probably also because it's interesting.
His style isn't uniform, and he's definitely not predictable. I'm not a short story person myself, but I can tell some of these short stories just didn't really have a point and didn't really plan to teach you anything on life. They were just there, and you can feel they are real, or based on real events or real feelings and notions. Some of them were just plain weird and I couldn't really relate, and some of them were great. But reading this book, reading this stories made me feel like something different is happening here. Some of the stories were simply good and new, deep yet simple to understand the complexity, like "Big Blue" and "Be Not Afraid of The Universe". Some of them I didn't understand.
But this is a true indie book.
For me it was a different experience, and it's recommended for anyone who wants to try something else.
I am required to say that I won this book on a goodreads giveaway.
There's something really exciting about a writer sending you his own book to read and review. I just went to the post office and picked up a package sent to me by the author himself. I always treat people who show me their own work with care and respect, and I tend to be really excited about this kind of things. It happened to me with performers and filmmakers but never with real authors, and this somehow feels more personal.
I really enjoyed "The Sense of Touch", Ron Parsons' first collection of short stories. Maybe it's because he's a new writer that nobody around me has ever heard about, and it makes the interaction between the two of us more interesting already. But it is probably also because it's interesting.
His style isn't uniform, and he's definitely not predictable. I'm not a short story person myself, but I can tell some of these short stories just didn't really have a point and didn't really plan to teach you anything on life. They were just there, and you can feel they are real, or based on real events or real feelings and notions. Some of them were just plain weird and I couldn't really relate, and some of them were great. But reading this book, reading this stories made me feel like something different is happening here. Some of the stories were simply good and new, deep yet simple to understand the complexity, like "Big Blue" and "Be Not Afraid of The Universe". Some of them I didn't understand.
But this is a true indie book.
For me it was a different experience, and it's recommended for anyone who wants to try something else.
October 13, 2013
Thank you to Ron Parsons and GoodReads for the copy of "The Sense of Touch" which I received in a GoodReads first-reads giveaway.
I passed a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon today reading "The Sense of Touch", a collection of short stories taking place in Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota. I found poignancy, starkness, surprise, quirkiness, love, bemusement, honor, randomness, sadness, humor and unforeseen twists in the stories. I even found a touch of "Fargo-ness" in the characters of one, in the snowfall of another! Ron Parson's creates a very eclectic bunch, who draw you into their stories in a drifting and engaging manner. Having my own approach to reading short story collections, I pretty much open the book randomly and start from there, rather than reading beginning to end. I found that some of these stories are told in that fashion, which I quite liked. Some left me pondering what might befall the characters after the end of the story, others had a clear finish. For me, my top 3 favorites are "Be Not Afraid of the Universe", "Big Blue" and "Beginning With Minneapolis" -each very different from one another. Definitely a great book to purchase as a gift for a friend too!
"The Sense of Touch" is a book to read when you can't decide what book to choose from. I thought I'd just read one or two stories and come back to the book later, but before I knew it I had read the whole book - and really wanted to read more of the author's stories! Hope to see another collection from Ron Parson's in the near future!
I passed a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon today reading "The Sense of Touch", a collection of short stories taking place in Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota. I found poignancy, starkness, surprise, quirkiness, love, bemusement, honor, randomness, sadness, humor and unforeseen twists in the stories. I even found a touch of "Fargo-ness" in the characters of one, in the snowfall of another! Ron Parson's creates a very eclectic bunch, who draw you into their stories in a drifting and engaging manner. Having my own approach to reading short story collections, I pretty much open the book randomly and start from there, rather than reading beginning to end. I found that some of these stories are told in that fashion, which I quite liked. Some left me pondering what might befall the characters after the end of the story, others had a clear finish. For me, my top 3 favorites are "Be Not Afraid of the Universe", "Big Blue" and "Beginning With Minneapolis" -each very different from one another. Definitely a great book to purchase as a gift for a friend too!
"The Sense of Touch" is a book to read when you can't decide what book to choose from. I thought I'd just read one or two stories and come back to the book later, but before I knew it I had read the whole book - and really wanted to read more of the author's stories! Hope to see another collection from Ron Parson's in the near future!
February 11, 2014
This is one of those books that came into my life at just the right time. I had been reading a number of rather long and heavy novels and a collection of short stories was just what the doctor ordered to get me out of the early stages of a slump. I will also admit that I was drawn to this book for one reason: I have fond memories of my visits to the upper mid-West, which is the setting of most of these stories.
The unifying theme among these stories, at least for me, was the importance of connecting with others. The characters in these stories are experiencing some degree of solitude and move towards relationships with others. Since no story in this collection is tied to any other story, this unifying theme is especially important.
This is a very masculine book. I don't mean that as a criticism--in fact, it is a nice change of pace for me. And I'm not saying that it would not appeal to female readers (after all, I am a female reader), but masculinity is evident in each story and, in my opinion, is a necessary element.
When it comes to short story collections, I'm rarely on the fence. I either hate or enjoy the entire collection and this is one book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to just about anyone.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
The unifying theme among these stories, at least for me, was the importance of connecting with others. The characters in these stories are experiencing some degree of solitude and move towards relationships with others. Since no story in this collection is tied to any other story, this unifying theme is especially important.
This is a very masculine book. I don't mean that as a criticism--in fact, it is a nice change of pace for me. And I'm not saying that it would not appeal to female readers (after all, I am a female reader), but masculinity is evident in each story and, in my opinion, is a necessary element.
When it comes to short story collections, I'm rarely on the fence. I either hate or enjoy the entire collection and this is one book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to just about anyone.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
February 8, 2014
4.5 stars
Did I enjoy this book: I did.
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories. And it’s unlike anything I’ve read before – ever. It’s beautifully written. Mr. Parsons’ writing style alone could make just about any story interesting.
Each story is unpredictable, unbelievable, and confusing. And somehow, he makes them all thoroughly entertaining. I got to the end of each story and thought, “huh?” But immediately went on to the next story wondering how he was going to top the last one.
I’m pretty sure Mr. Parsons breaks just about every rule of creative writing and actually manages to pull it off. I’m not sure if he’s a brilliant cutting edge artistic force in literature or just some really weird guy who’s managed to capture my imagination. But I know I’ll be on the look-out for his next book just to see where he’s going next.
Would I recommend it: Yes.
Will I read it again: Probably not.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/bl...
Did I enjoy this book: I did.
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories. And it’s unlike anything I’ve read before – ever. It’s beautifully written. Mr. Parsons’ writing style alone could make just about any story interesting.
Each story is unpredictable, unbelievable, and confusing. And somehow, he makes them all thoroughly entertaining. I got to the end of each story and thought, “huh?” But immediately went on to the next story wondering how he was going to top the last one.
I’m pretty sure Mr. Parsons breaks just about every rule of creative writing and actually manages to pull it off. I’m not sure if he’s a brilliant cutting edge artistic force in literature or just some really weird guy who’s managed to capture my imagination. But I know I’ll be on the look-out for his next book just to see where he’s going next.
Would I recommend it: Yes.
Will I read it again: Probably not.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/bl...
September 15, 2013
The Sense of Touch is a collection of beautifully written short stories that shamelessly portray the nature of humanity at its best and at its worst.
I absolutely loved Ron Parsons' writing style. His magnificent choice of words enables the reader to float serenely through each story as if on a bewitching river of outstanding literature.
Each unique story was like reading an enticingly delicate poem, as his words were as graceful as poetry.
These stories will encourage you to think about them in depth and may enable you to perceive situations a bit differently. I believe that each individual will contemplate each story differently but I am certain that each reader will assuredly gain some promising insight on his/her own life matters.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I absolutely loved Ron Parsons' writing style. His magnificent choice of words enables the reader to float serenely through each story as if on a bewitching river of outstanding literature.
Each unique story was like reading an enticingly delicate poem, as his words were as graceful as poetry.
These stories will encourage you to think about them in depth and may enable you to perceive situations a bit differently. I believe that each individual will contemplate each story differently but I am certain that each reader will assuredly gain some promising insight on his/her own life matters.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
March 4, 2014
I rarely enjoy short stories as they do not give me the time to get involved with the plot and characters. However, after reading the book blurb of The Sense of Touch, I was all agog.
Let me begin by saying The Sense of Touch is gripping and highly original. In a way, reading them reminded me of Roald Dahl’s short stories. Ron Parsons has an extraordinary ability to describe the wonders of universal themes with his pen.
Out of the eight stories, I especially enjoyed Hezekiah Number Three. Naseem is a character worth knowing; he’s like a fish out of water. Eccentric and quirky, Hezekiah Number Three will definitely grab any reader’s attention as he never knows what’s going to happen next.
The Sense of Touch is a satisfying collection that leaves me wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sense of Touch in exchange of my honest review.
Let me begin by saying The Sense of Touch is gripping and highly original. In a way, reading them reminded me of Roald Dahl’s short stories. Ron Parsons has an extraordinary ability to describe the wonders of universal themes with his pen.
Out of the eight stories, I especially enjoyed Hezekiah Number Three. Naseem is a character worth knowing; he’s like a fish out of water. Eccentric and quirky, Hezekiah Number Three will definitely grab any reader’s attention as he never knows what’s going to happen next.
The Sense of Touch is a satisfying collection that leaves me wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of The Sense of Touch in exchange of my honest review.
July 20, 2014
4.5 stars...
Each of these stories, although all different in regards to the plot, they were all very, very good. The writing is top notch, and the editing nearly flawless, but I was surprised to see several instances of two speakers in one paragraph. But the details Mr. Parsons uses in his writing… they are just great and really show the characters (and their motivations) and the dialogues were some of the best I’ve read. Very natural and authentic. The tales range from being light and humorous to unexpectedly dark, even painful at times. But they all share an element of the human condition that is fascinating and heart-warming. Well done.
Each of these stories, although all different in regards to the plot, they were all very, very good. The writing is top notch, and the editing nearly flawless, but I was surprised to see several instances of two speakers in one paragraph. But the details Mr. Parsons uses in his writing… they are just great and really show the characters (and their motivations) and the dialogues were some of the best I’ve read. Very natural and authentic. The tales range from being light and humorous to unexpectedly dark, even painful at times. But they all share an element of the human condition that is fascinating and heart-warming. Well done.
August 27, 2014
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories written by Ron Parsons. First things first: the author can write well. However, I had a hard time getting into some of the stories, and when they were done I just felt kinda ‘meh’ on them. Like they weren’t awful, but weren’t great. This book gets a lot of really good reviews so maybe it’s just me. I though some parts were interesting, but I think overall I wish there was more action or more real conflicts that would raise stakes more. Everything just seemed kind of ‘safe’ if that makes sense. This seems like something that people would read in a college literature course. Not that that’s a bad thing, just not really to my tastes.
August 8, 2013
Wow. This is an astounding debut. Beautiful, clear writing about South Dakota (and to some degree Minneapolis) and the characters that live there. Unique situations made plausible. Lovely, and true, characters. I got drawn in quickly to each story and to the whole, though, on the whole, I hadn't otherwise read short stories in quite awhile. The writing reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri or Alice Munro ... lyrical in that way. The author also bestows a nice sense of place, whether Michigan, the city of Minneapolis, or the South Dakota wilderness. Recommended.
August 3, 2014
Parsons's writing is superb. He has masterfully created a collection of characters that I found relatable and familiar. Yet the settings to his stories invoke a sense of alienation and solitude. A fantastic book!
November 6, 2014
Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories that capture the lives and the landscape of the Midwest. The stories in the collection are all different, but in some ways they are all the same. They all tell stories about men and women and their lives, however extraordinary or otherwise. They show that the lives of the seemingly ordinary can be complex, that they can be both mundane and filled with passion or excitement at the same time.
What occurs in these stories shows that the seemingly ordinary can be quite extraordinary not just for the people involved, but for the reader as well. Parson is quite skilled at lulling you into a story only to turn it on its head. And while this does not occur in every story, or even in an obvious way, you never know when one will happen. It is a sudden turn you were not predicting in the story, and the style in which Parsons introduces is clever, sneaking it upon you, or casually throwing in a sentence in among a seemingly ordinary paragraph. A line, a word, a piece of dialogue can change everything and leave you questioning what has happened or shocked and engrossed in the change or new piece of information.
Short stories have the ability to capture an entire life in a short space, whether that entire lifetime is covered or not. How people are portrayed in short stories reveal so much about them as people, about the relationships they are in, they are quite skilled and powerful at telling you an entire story while not telling us an entire story. Parsons does this well, the lives of the everyday are captured and highlighted, in the remarkable and unremarkable, in the public eye and in the intimate. The characters in this collection bring their own essence to their story, whether it is the contemplations of man's life with his grandfather, a woman trying to find herself in the city, or a man reigniting a friendship with a school friend.
What was interesting about this collection is that there are not always conclusions or final answers about things. The open ended nature of the stories isn't unsatisfying though; there is a sense of completeness where you do not need to know any more. You understand the characters will either continue on as they are, no sign of change, or there are heart-warming moments that make you realise they are going to be ok, even after all they've told you. A few unanswered questions allow the readers to make up their own minds, and even those with hints at conclusions still allow you the same opportunity.
With a total of eight stories making up this collection Parsons' gives us people who could be anybody and who in some way can be related to by everybody. The absurd stories are beautiful and engaging, while offering an insight into the lives and mind of others, with a touch of the unspoken, and certainly one of lasting impression.
This review was also published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories that capture the lives and the landscape of the Midwest. The stories in the collection are all different, but in some ways they are all the same. They all tell stories about men and women and their lives, however extraordinary or otherwise. They show that the lives of the seemingly ordinary can be complex, that they can be both mundane and filled with passion or excitement at the same time.
What occurs in these stories shows that the seemingly ordinary can be quite extraordinary not just for the people involved, but for the reader as well. Parson is quite skilled at lulling you into a story only to turn it on its head. And while this does not occur in every story, or even in an obvious way, you never know when one will happen. It is a sudden turn you were not predicting in the story, and the style in which Parsons introduces is clever, sneaking it upon you, or casually throwing in a sentence in among a seemingly ordinary paragraph. A line, a word, a piece of dialogue can change everything and leave you questioning what has happened or shocked and engrossed in the change or new piece of information.
Short stories have the ability to capture an entire life in a short space, whether that entire lifetime is covered or not. How people are portrayed in short stories reveal so much about them as people, about the relationships they are in, they are quite skilled and powerful at telling you an entire story while not telling us an entire story. Parsons does this well, the lives of the everyday are captured and highlighted, in the remarkable and unremarkable, in the public eye and in the intimate. The characters in this collection bring their own essence to their story, whether it is the contemplations of man's life with his grandfather, a woman trying to find herself in the city, or a man reigniting a friendship with a school friend.
What was interesting about this collection is that there are not always conclusions or final answers about things. The open ended nature of the stories isn't unsatisfying though; there is a sense of completeness where you do not need to know any more. You understand the characters will either continue on as they are, no sign of change, or there are heart-warming moments that make you realise they are going to be ok, even after all they've told you. A few unanswered questions allow the readers to make up their own minds, and even those with hints at conclusions still allow you the same opportunity.
With a total of eight stories making up this collection Parsons' gives us people who could be anybody and who in some way can be related to by everybody. The absurd stories are beautiful and engaging, while offering an insight into the lives and mind of others, with a touch of the unspoken, and certainly one of lasting impression.
This review was also published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
December 23, 2015
Received a copy of The Sense of Touch By Ron Parsons through the First Reads Giveaway
Subtle in its entirety, unconventional in its beauty, The Sense of Touch is lyrical in its prose but accessible for all to enjoy. How can something so small, so delicate, and so graceful pack that big of a punch leaving a profound imprint resonating on the reader's mind? If people knew the answer the market would be saturated and the effects of this narrative would be numbed. Lucky for us their are very few that have the competency to execute and the willingness to traverse the enigmatic nature of the emotional landscapes the way Mr.Parsons did in The Sense of Touch. With that said I guess it would be safe to say that with Ron Parsons writing technique he is the Archie Moore of the literary short story world.
"Absence diesembodies. If a person isn't there for you to touch they are not real."
In The Sense of Touch, Ron Parsons debut collection of short stories, he details the peculiarities of life, the ambiguous nature of death and all that's discovered in between. Some of the subjects deal with physical,psychological, and spiritual ailments that everyone can sympathize with. The difference is the author's ability to shy away from the obvious and detail the intrinsic nature that are often left fleeting from our minds. At times I was left without words and living in my head contemplating what I just read and how impactful the clearly apparent can be when it is seemingly unrecognizable to the naked eye.
Like many short story collections it is incredibly difficult to enjoy every single short story in the same way. Typically their are 15-20 stories in these collections making the probability quite high; however Mr.Parsons was quite clever keeping his material tightly wound with 8 stories that had common environs but vastly different human conditions. It is like being in the same neighbourhood with the allowance of walking into different houses and being the proverbial fly on the wall. In this book you gain a clearer understanding of:
a man's inability to make long term commitments,
the precarious and non-discriminatory character of death,
the importance of seeing what other people are thinking,
the victims of unrequited love,
a spiritually and mentally disjointed immigrant trying to blend in,
a person's longing for change and the reawakening of her lost spirit,
an adolescent resisting destruction after suffering through a lifetime of loss,and
a man content living with deception and the denial of physical interpersonal relationships.
Within the broad scope of the human condition, this book pretty much covers it all.
I thoroughly enjoyed these stories and I look forward to reading Ron Parsons future work. Thanks again for sending me a copy, these stories will stay with me for a long,long time.
Subtle in its entirety, unconventional in its beauty, The Sense of Touch is lyrical in its prose but accessible for all to enjoy. How can something so small, so delicate, and so graceful pack that big of a punch leaving a profound imprint resonating on the reader's mind? If people knew the answer the market would be saturated and the effects of this narrative would be numbed. Lucky for us their are very few that have the competency to execute and the willingness to traverse the enigmatic nature of the emotional landscapes the way Mr.Parsons did in The Sense of Touch. With that said I guess it would be safe to say that with Ron Parsons writing technique he is the Archie Moore of the literary short story world.
"Absence diesembodies. If a person isn't there for you to touch they are not real."
In The Sense of Touch, Ron Parsons debut collection of short stories, he details the peculiarities of life, the ambiguous nature of death and all that's discovered in between. Some of the subjects deal with physical,psychological, and spiritual ailments that everyone can sympathize with. The difference is the author's ability to shy away from the obvious and detail the intrinsic nature that are often left fleeting from our minds. At times I was left without words and living in my head contemplating what I just read and how impactful the clearly apparent can be when it is seemingly unrecognizable to the naked eye.
Like many short story collections it is incredibly difficult to enjoy every single short story in the same way. Typically their are 15-20 stories in these collections making the probability quite high; however Mr.Parsons was quite clever keeping his material tightly wound with 8 stories that had common environs but vastly different human conditions. It is like being in the same neighbourhood with the allowance of walking into different houses and being the proverbial fly on the wall. In this book you gain a clearer understanding of:
a man's inability to make long term commitments,
the precarious and non-discriminatory character of death,
the importance of seeing what other people are thinking,
the victims of unrequited love,
a spiritually and mentally disjointed immigrant trying to blend in,
a person's longing for change and the reawakening of her lost spirit,
an adolescent resisting destruction after suffering through a lifetime of loss,and
a man content living with deception and the denial of physical interpersonal relationships.
Within the broad scope of the human condition, this book pretty much covers it all.
I thoroughly enjoyed these stories and I look forward to reading Ron Parsons future work. Thanks again for sending me a copy, these stories will stay with me for a long,long time.
March 12, 2014
Ron Parsons's writing reflects the northern country where he lives. He grew up in Michigan and South Dakota, and attended university at the University of Minnesota. His main focus is the short story. His stories have appeared in publications such as The Onion, Indiana Review, Storyville, The Gettysburg Review, The Briar Cliff Review and Flyaway.
The Sense Of Touch is Parson's debut anthology. It contains eight stories that tell of the human longing for connection and the myriad ways we have of missing that connection, due to inattention or missed touch points.
There are stories of immigrants who have difficulties fitting in to a new culture, of friendships that somehow got lost over time, of marriages that start with hope but end up dry and brittle things that crumple and blow away. The title story, The Sense Of Touch, is about a student who has come from his native Texas to the University of Minnesota to take a creative writing class and find out if he has any talent. Readers will relate to someone being in an environment totally different from that where one was raised, attempting to make friends and to discover what really makes up one's personality and talents.
While the subject of these stories may sound bleak, that is not the feeling one gets reading them. They provide hope. The human animal will never give up that attempt to reach out and connect with others, even if not initially successful. The stories are quiet and flowing, leaving the reader to contemplate their messages. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy short story anthologies and for those interested in how the human spirit continues to reach for connection with others.
The Sense Of Touch is Parson's debut anthology. It contains eight stories that tell of the human longing for connection and the myriad ways we have of missing that connection, due to inattention or missed touch points.
There are stories of immigrants who have difficulties fitting in to a new culture, of friendships that somehow got lost over time, of marriages that start with hope but end up dry and brittle things that crumple and blow away. The title story, The Sense Of Touch, is about a student who has come from his native Texas to the University of Minnesota to take a creative writing class and find out if he has any talent. Readers will relate to someone being in an environment totally different from that where one was raised, attempting to make friends and to discover what really makes up one's personality and talents.
While the subject of these stories may sound bleak, that is not the feeling one gets reading them. They provide hope. The human animal will never give up that attempt to reach out and connect with others, even if not initially successful. The stories are quiet and flowing, leaving the reader to contemplate their messages. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy short story anthologies and for those interested in how the human spirit continues to reach for connection with others.
August 3, 2016
I really enjoyed "The Sense of Touch", Ron Parsons' first collection of short stories. Inside these eight short stories, centering on our longing for human connections, Ron dives deep to show the ways that these connections are missed, such as difficulty fitting into a new culture, trouble making friend feeling overly eccentric, etc.
I was drawn quickly into each story with the wonderful imagery. The only one I really felt disconnected from was Big Blue that seemed rushed and not very well put together. Other than that one, I found Ron's writings very interesting, complex, well thought out with great characters that were interesting, realistic and well developed.
What appealed most to me was the central theme of hope. How our desire for human connection is so great, that even in the worst of times we hold out for hope that we will connect to another soul. Although some of these stories I really did not fully connect with I loved the poetic writings. I can recommend these short stories to a more mature audience that can appreciate them for all they are.
I would have given this book 3 1/2 stars, but since its not available I went with 3.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of Pump Up Your Books Review Crew.
I was drawn quickly into each story with the wonderful imagery. The only one I really felt disconnected from was Big Blue that seemed rushed and not very well put together. Other than that one, I found Ron's writings very interesting, complex, well thought out with great characters that were interesting, realistic and well developed.
What appealed most to me was the central theme of hope. How our desire for human connection is so great, that even in the worst of times we hold out for hope that we will connect to another soul. Although some of these stories I really did not fully connect with I loved the poetic writings. I can recommend these short stories to a more mature audience that can appreciate them for all they are.
I would have given this book 3 1/2 stars, but since its not available I went with 3.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of Pump Up Your Books Review Crew.
February 27, 2014
I wanted to review this one mostly because of the diversity of people within these pages. When so many stories seem homogenous, I wanted to read something a bit different. This one did have what I was looking for and like all good short stories, some won me over and some didn't quite make it. However, I still enjoyed myself within these pages.
I have to admit that the first tale I did dnf. The story was going good until there was a bit about harming a pigeon. I have gotten to the point where I will automatically dnf anything where an animal is abused to death. I just can't do it no matter the reason. I did think that it was just that story, so I had no problems reading the rest of the book.
The other stories are more like character explorations. Exploring a small part of their life and sometimes to making a decision. We don't get to know how it turns out, but then that wasn't the point of the story. There is also the story that has the same title as the book. It becomes more philosophical and then seems to meander on different themes. While this may bug some people, others will see it for what it is.. a creative exploration.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting something different. The short stories in itself can be used as a good palate cleanser while you are in between books. It can also just be something to let your mind explore.
I have to admit that the first tale I did dnf. The story was going good until there was a bit about harming a pigeon. I have gotten to the point where I will automatically dnf anything where an animal is abused to death. I just can't do it no matter the reason. I did think that it was just that story, so I had no problems reading the rest of the book.
The other stories are more like character explorations. Exploring a small part of their life and sometimes to making a decision. We don't get to know how it turns out, but then that wasn't the point of the story. There is also the story that has the same title as the book. It becomes more philosophical and then seems to meander on different themes. While this may bug some people, others will see it for what it is.. a creative exploration.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting something different. The short stories in itself can be used as a good palate cleanser while you are in between books. It can also just be something to let your mind explore.
October 23, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway book. This collection of eight short stories contains a variety of characters, each of whom is on a path of self-discovery. While the stories are all based in the northern Midwest, the diversity of plots and settings is both surprising and enjoyable.
The characters are also quite diverse, ranging from a quirky immigrant student to a lifelong farmer, to a college professor. As a result of their individual journeys, each gains insight into their essential values.
I personally found that I could relate to some of the characters quite easily, while others would remain distant if I encountered them in real life. I also felt that the stories were uneven in their appeal; to me, the stories became more satisfying as the book progressed. Going back and re-reading the first stories did not change that impression, so it was not simply a case of getting accustomed to the author's style.
Each of the stories has well-drawn characters and intricately described scenes. There are also a number of profound insights as the characters complete a portion of their journeys. I believe that most readers will thoroughly enjoy this collection's details and personalities.
The characters are also quite diverse, ranging from a quirky immigrant student to a lifelong farmer, to a college professor. As a result of their individual journeys, each gains insight into their essential values.
I personally found that I could relate to some of the characters quite easily, while others would remain distant if I encountered them in real life. I also felt that the stories were uneven in their appeal; to me, the stories became more satisfying as the book progressed. Going back and re-reading the first stories did not change that impression, so it was not simply a case of getting accustomed to the author's style.
Each of the stories has well-drawn characters and intricately described scenes. There are also a number of profound insights as the characters complete a portion of their journeys. I believe that most readers will thoroughly enjoy this collection's details and personalities.
July 25, 2013
Ron Parsons graciously mailed me a copy of his debut compilation of stories, The Sense of Touch. This was most appreciated and I offer my unbiased opinion. Ron Parsons takes us on a journey through the lives of an eclectic set of characters as each story unfolds. The varying circumstances presented within each tale possessed a profound and underlying theme. For some it was sorrow, regret and grief. For others it was hope, compassion and selflessness. The feelings and emotions of the characters became raw and at the surface, allowing the reader to endure all sensations. It was easy to become present, in the moment with the characters as they crossed the line between comfort and daunting change. The settings are familiar and described with sufficient detail. I did not choose a favorite story, they all captured my interest and each hold individual merit. I love the texture of the book cover, so unique and a most fitting compliment to the title. I commend the author on taking topics that are often difficult to consider and putting words to the emotions that these evoke. I look forward to future writings from Ron Parsons and would recommend to all with a 4.5 star rating.
Want to read
November 13, 2013I will fully rate this when I'm done, but I want to log in where I'm at since this is a series of stories in one book.
The Cover is beautiful and even feels beautiful in texture. I found myself kind of remembering what it was like when I was a kid and we got to have story books with texture. I am a tactile person and that's probably the biggest reason I stay as far away from the e-reader as possible. The cover's feel fits perfectly with the themes so far and the title.
Hezekiah Number Three - I love the prose and the writing style. The story actually reminds me a lot of Life of Pi. I think it would be interesting if there was entire novel of these characters, especially Naseem, obviously. Maybe the author can respond to this one...is Naseem actually Hezekiah number three? There are so many ways to interpret this ending I think.
Beginning with Minneapolis - It's clear to me that Parsons has a real gift for words. This story felt like a Stephen King short I read last year, but without the horror. I almost thought Parsons was going to go there, but he didn't and I was a bit disappointed. The writing was beautiful, but the ending of this story was a bit unsatisfying.
The Cover is beautiful and even feels beautiful in texture. I found myself kind of remembering what it was like when I was a kid and we got to have story books with texture. I am a tactile person and that's probably the biggest reason I stay as far away from the e-reader as possible. The cover's feel fits perfectly with the themes so far and the title.
Hezekiah Number Three - I love the prose and the writing style. The story actually reminds me a lot of Life of Pi. I think it would be interesting if there was entire novel of these characters, especially Naseem, obviously. Maybe the author can respond to this one...is Naseem actually Hezekiah number three? There are so many ways to interpret this ending I think.
Beginning with Minneapolis - It's clear to me that Parsons has a real gift for words. This story felt like a Stephen King short I read last year, but without the horror. I almost thought Parsons was going to go there, but he didn't and I was a bit disappointed. The writing was beautiful, but the ending of this story was a bit unsatisfying.
October 10, 2013
I received a copy of this for review from Goodreads' First Reads program.
Some of these stories felt a bit hit or miss to me. While none struck me as bad, per se, some felt mediocre or a little too odd to me. However, overall I think that the collection was definitely worth it. It was the very last story-- easily my favourite in the book and really quite excellent-- that really sells it for me. It had some lovely prose and the nuance Parsons used to tell the story was wonderful.
Other stories, however, were less phenomenal. Some had some strange or even sometimes unpleasant aspects to them, and sometimes his similes felt like they really needed a break. I also have to admit that I wish there were clearer answers in some of them, as some of them felt incomplete. However, for the most part the author used the tool of incomplete story and ignorance of the narrator quite well.
It was definitely worth a read, all in all, and I really do love that last story. Others were enjoyable, too, but that one will stick with me, I think.
Some of these stories felt a bit hit or miss to me. While none struck me as bad, per se, some felt mediocre or a little too odd to me. However, overall I think that the collection was definitely worth it. It was the very last story-- easily my favourite in the book and really quite excellent-- that really sells it for me. It had some lovely prose and the nuance Parsons used to tell the story was wonderful.
Other stories, however, were less phenomenal. Some had some strange or even sometimes unpleasant aspects to them, and sometimes his similes felt like they really needed a break. I also have to admit that I wish there were clearer answers in some of them, as some of them felt incomplete. However, for the most part the author used the tool of incomplete story and ignorance of the narrator quite well.
It was definitely worth a read, all in all, and I really do love that last story. Others were enjoyable, too, but that one will stick with me, I think.
July 2, 2013
"The Sense of Touch," by author Ron Parsons, warmly explores the evolution and eccentricities of human relationships. Sensitive, poignant, and written with great feeling, this collection of eight short stories re-creates touching memories from our own life experiences. Well-developed characters remind us of whiffle balls games with siblings and grandparents ("Big Blue"); the loss of childhood friendships caused by distance, time, or tragedy ("Hezekiah Number Three;" "The Sense of Touch"); or the wrenching emotion of marriage partners drifting apart ("Beginning With Minneapolis"). Each story is original, entertaining, and highly evocative. Each character is descriptive, identifiable, and humanly eclectic. With these wonderful stories, Mr. Parsons evokes the power of touch! I highly recommend this spectacular debut in fiction. Find a hammock, cosy fireside seat, or any comfortable chair, and take a remarkable journey with Mr. Parsons.
October 23, 2013
Ron Parson’s collection of short stories entitled The Sense of Touch, explores various aspects of humanity; examples being loss, belonging and family, among others.
adsUnlike many short stories, the ones featured in this collection feel fully rounded and leave the reader with a sense of completion, rather than leaving endless questions behind for the reader to get frustrated over. That doesn’t mean however that these stories don’t affect you, these stories do stay with you, as they did for me, making me simply question those aspects of humanity and how we, as a society, treat each other.
My personal favourites were ‘As Her Heart is Navigated’, ‘Be Not Afraid of the Universe’ and ‘The Sense of Touch’.
I have to say as much as I didn’t think I would enjoy these, given that I’m not much of a short-story fan, I actually very much enjoyed them, and therefore would wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone, especially people like myself wishing to get into the short-story genre.
adsUnlike many short stories, the ones featured in this collection feel fully rounded and leave the reader with a sense of completion, rather than leaving endless questions behind for the reader to get frustrated over. That doesn’t mean however that these stories don’t affect you, these stories do stay with you, as they did for me, making me simply question those aspects of humanity and how we, as a society, treat each other.
My personal favourites were ‘As Her Heart is Navigated’, ‘Be Not Afraid of the Universe’ and ‘The Sense of Touch’.
I have to say as much as I didn’t think I would enjoy these, given that I’m not much of a short-story fan, I actually very much enjoyed them, and therefore would wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone, especially people like myself wishing to get into the short-story genre.
August 13, 2016
I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway, and here is my review:
2.5 stars
I really wanted to like the book. I love short stories, the cover is lovely, and the synopsis had me at ‘physics’. But despite my best efforts, the stories didn’t get less confusing. And that is the major issue I had with the book.
I found the stories somewhat reminiscent of Etgar Keret’s, but unlike those, never could I fully understand what Parsons meant to convey.
Each story began with a regular seeming setting, dealing with the relationship between two or more people. But as the story progressed, it started spinning out of control until coming to a sudden and bizarre ending, leaving me time and again completely lost, like I’m missing the last pages.
Some stories I really liked, like The Sense of Touch. But mostly I got lost and restless and wanted to get to the end to have at least a vague sense of what the point was.
2.5 stars
I really wanted to like the book. I love short stories, the cover is lovely, and the synopsis had me at ‘physics’. But despite my best efforts, the stories didn’t get less confusing. And that is the major issue I had with the book.
I found the stories somewhat reminiscent of Etgar Keret’s, but unlike those, never could I fully understand what Parsons meant to convey.
Each story began with a regular seeming setting, dealing with the relationship between two or more people. But as the story progressed, it started spinning out of control until coming to a sudden and bizarre ending, leaving me time and again completely lost, like I’m missing the last pages.
Some stories I really liked, like The Sense of Touch. But mostly I got lost and restless and wanted to get to the end to have at least a vague sense of what the point was.
March 11, 2016
The Sense of Touch by Ron Parsons
A collection of (eight) short stories. Each is brilliantly written an delving deep into each persons soul and mind. In each story the protagonist is faced with their own personal struggles and emotions. Taking place in the (northern) Midwest, the plot is detailed bringing you into each story with profound emotions. I highly recommend The Sense of Touch to all.
Title of stories:
Hezekiah Number Three
Beginning with Minneapolis
The Sense of Touch
The Black Hills
As her Heart is Navigated
Big Blue
Moonlight Bowling
Be Not Afraid of the Universe
A collection of (eight) short stories. Each is brilliantly written an delving deep into each persons soul and mind. In each story the protagonist is faced with their own personal struggles and emotions. Taking place in the (northern) Midwest, the plot is detailed bringing you into each story with profound emotions. I highly recommend The Sense of Touch to all.
Title of stories:
Hezekiah Number Three
Beginning with Minneapolis
The Sense of Touch
The Black Hills
As her Heart is Navigated
Big Blue
Moonlight Bowling
Be Not Afraid of the Universe
September 19, 2013
8 short stories take place in the Midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, and South Dakota)
They are all realistic and make you think about life and how relationship/friendship/family can change you.
My favorite is "Moonlight Bowling". I wish the story isn't so open ended, I want to know what is going to happen.
I would recommend this book to a book club, there are so much to discuss about.
The only story I wasn't crazy about was "Big Blue". It is the shortest story in the book, only 10 pages long. It was related to baseball. (don't know much about baseball, I know the Yankees but who are the Tigers?)
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
They are all realistic and make you think about life and how relationship/friendship/family can change you.
My favorite is "Moonlight Bowling". I wish the story isn't so open ended, I want to know what is going to happen.
I would recommend this book to a book club, there are so much to discuss about.
The only story I wasn't crazy about was "Big Blue". It is the shortest story in the book, only 10 pages long. It was related to baseball. (don't know much about baseball, I know the Yankees but who are the Tigers?)
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
September 15, 2013
The Sense of Touch is a collection of short stories. While all are set in the upper mid-west and focus on isolation and hardships of various kinds, each stands independently vis a vis the characters, actions, etc. The title of the book comes from one of the short stories which puts forth the argument that touch is the only 'true' sense. And, Parsons adeptly makes the case for that through the stories he tells us. HIs style of writing reminded me of Hemingway in many ways - mostly short, crisp, sentences with little judgment expressed. Finally, each of the stories has an interesting and compelling twist that made me want to read and read and read.
November 8, 2013
Warm thanks to Ron Parsons and GoodReads for the copy of "The Sense of Touch" which I received in a GoodReads giveaway.
I was finally able to sit down with this book on Sunday, and before I knew it, the afternoon had turned to early evening, and I was still enjoying this collection of stories. Not everyone succeeds in capturing their audience with a short story, and I am pleased to say Ron Parsons delivers. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and found each story most enjoyable in their own unique journey.
I didn't think this book was going to impress me, but I must say it did! Thanks again for the opportunity to read this lovely book.
I was finally able to sit down with this book on Sunday, and before I knew it, the afternoon had turned to early evening, and I was still enjoying this collection of stories. Not everyone succeeds in capturing their audience with a short story, and I am pleased to say Ron Parsons delivers. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and found each story most enjoyable in their own unique journey.
I didn't think this book was going to impress me, but I must say it did! Thanks again for the opportunity to read this lovely book.
November 27, 2013
I got this book from Goodreads as a first-read book.
It was the cover which first caught my attention and it was even better in reality and very tactile.
The short stories tell many varied stories such as 'As Her Heart is Navigated' which tells of a chance encounter between two people in the snow and 'The Black Hills' which tells of old friends reconnecting amongst others. They were beautifully told and really made you feel that you were there with the characters.
My only complaint is I found myself wanting to know more about the people and felt the stories sometimes ended rather abruptly.
It was the cover which first caught my attention and it was even better in reality and very tactile.
The short stories tell many varied stories such as 'As Her Heart is Navigated' which tells of a chance encounter between two people in the snow and 'The Black Hills' which tells of old friends reconnecting amongst others. They were beautifully told and really made you feel that you were there with the characters.
My only complaint is I found myself wanting to know more about the people and felt the stories sometimes ended rather abruptly.
August 7, 2016
I’ve always loved short story collections, and this book is one of the best I’ve read so far. Ron Parsons is a great story teller. There are eight stories, they are all different, and they all gave me a wide range of emotions. The stories are about friendship, being the outcast in school, loss, betrayal and love. I felt a lot of emotions while reading this book. Some stores are sad, some are funny and some left me wanting to know more.
This is the debut for this author, and I plan on reading anything else he publishes. I love his writing style and the way he makes you “feel” for the characters.
This is the debut for this author, and I plan on reading anything else he publishes. I love his writing style and the way he makes you “feel” for the characters.
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