Sweet Mysteries of Life

by Elaine Slater

The stories in this collection deal with life's quotidian mysteries. Almost all are true yet not true, several are pure fantasy. In each, something has been set in motion that will change forever the lives of the protagonists in small or large ways. Often it is left to the reader to discover what it is that has happened. Each vignette deals with an aspect of human relationships, good or bad, relationships that transform themselves as we stumble through different stages of life, relating to one another in humorous, serious, or even murderous ways. Some told in a man's voice, others in that of a woman, the stories explore the relationships of parent and child, of lovers, of husband and wife, of neighbors. They explore our relationship with authority, with government, and even with the horrors of a future world without promise. They explore the sweet mysteries of life. Although most stories in this collection are based on actual events, this is not to suggest that award-winning author Elaine Slater is a serial killer. Adept at turning murderous thoughts into laughter and life experience into wisdom, her frequently anthologized stories, and some juicy new ones, are here in one volume.

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many years ago, I read a short story set in the future that really stuck with me, but I could not remember the title or author. A short while ago, I began an Internet search and discovered it was called the Sooey Pill by Elaine Slater, published in 1969. I found the story published in this collection of her short stories, Sweet Mysteries of Life. The book is a series of vignettes featuring small episodes or emotional experiences of an individual. The main characters, rarely named, vary in age and gender and the stories are sometimes sad, sometimes amusing, sometimes weird, and even include a few murders. On the whole, the book is an enjoyable, quite quick read.

[Elaine Slater]

These stories were a joy to read and very moving. My favorites are "How I Remember It," "Absalom," "The Gender Gap," "Headmaster" and "Family Feud." The voice is so strong and pure, completely without sentimentality or any search for easy answers. And compelling. When I was halfway through "Absalom" the telephone rang and I almost came out of my skin. Needless to say, I did not answer. The male narrators are also terrific. Indeed, all the stories of marriage and family have a tone that is vivid and true. The stories are not like Grace Paley's, but I take a similar pleasure in them.- their intelligent examination of a life.. how incident and memories reflect back the larger life, yet so much must remain unknowable...As a reader I want to know more about these men and women. Gail Noble, editor and author