Body Work: Stories

by Hollis Seamon

"No, I've never left my body," says Alice in the first tale in this rich collection of fifteen stories. She might well be speaking for all the women and girls that prize-winning author Hollis Seamon grounds so firmly in the real physical world. Her wry humor laces together tales that include a Smuckers jar full of sins, a metropolitan children's hospital full of gypsies, an antique chest full of small bones, a river full of pregnancies. Seamon captures the felt substance of women's lives, where all things imaginary, mystical, or uncanny are never completely separated from the crisp sharp chop of vegetables or the sweaty rim of a steering wheel, never far from actual blood and fat, sinew and bone.

201 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Hollis reads, writes, cooks, and gardens in Kinderhook NY. She teaches writing and literature at the College of Saint Rose in Albany NY and the MFA in Creative Writing Program of Fairfield University, Fairfield CT.

Her newest novel, SOMEBODY UP THERE HATES YOU, is one of the inaugural YA books to be published in Fall 2013 by Algonquin Young Readers. Her collection of short stories, Corporeality, was publsihed in January 2013 by Able Muse Press.

Reviews

[Heather Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read short story collections, but I had the pleasure of TA-ing with Hollis Seamon as my professor in a workshop at Fairfield University's MFA residency. I was struck by her teaching prowess and extensive knowledge of craft in regards to writing. As I always do with the amazing professors I have, I wanted to read her work.

Body Work is a stunningly written collection. Many of the stories seem to hint toward magical realism, of which I'm a fan. I was constantly in awe how she could convey such bright, heart-wrenching tales in just a few pages. Definitely recommended for anyone who would like to see the short story format at its finest, or just wants to encounter a rotating cast of interesting, quirky, insightful characters.

It bears mentioning that one of Body Work's stories, "The Strange, Sad History of Suzanne LaFleshe," that was easily my favorite, presents a title character who goes on to appear as the protagonist of Hollis's mystery novel, Flesh. Now i'm itching to get my hands on that as well, because Suzanne was incredible and I love the idea of her solving mysteries. Suzanne is intended to have an entire series of mystery novels, but alas, due to the economy and struggling publishing companies, Hollis told me Suzanne's further exploits are currently shelved. :( Hopefully they can get out there soon.

[Gato Negro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me first say I am not a big fan of this rating system because 2 stars is supposed to indicate that you didn't like the book. I gave this 2 stars because I was a little underwhelmed, but I did not, for the record, dislike it. I borrowed this book of short stories because it was written by a college professor of mine. While reading it I enjoyed her descriptive style and found myself back in undergrad mode, trying to unearth the various meanings and symbols throughout the readings. I don't know that it knocked my socks off, but I plan to read her mystery novel next.