Recently Read: The American Zig-Zag, Volume Two

 

The second (and I'm hoping not the last) of author Van Reid's short story collections again features whimsical and entertaining tales taking place in various American locales during the 19th century. "The Windmill" features a cantankerous but well-meaning Geology Professor and a trio of unusual women he meets in a countryside. "Mr. Seabury's Grove" is a lovely tale of a young lady and a "hobo" she encounters camping on her family's prodigious grounds. Amidst poems, epigrams and letters, you'll meet characters reprising their roles from the previous volume, including Chicago cop on the beat Thomas Borum O'Toole and Fustianne Mae and her fascinating family in chapters of "The Ongoing Tale" (and I trust it will someday go on). Reid's prose is delightful, wry, observant and revealing, reminiscent of the ways Charles Dickens brought his characters and environments to life. (Some of "The Ongoing Tale" may bring to mind the work of P.G. Wodehouse.) Illustrating the book is the work of nearly a dozen artists (disclaimer: I'm among them), topped off by Jeff Suntala's stunning wraparound cover design. I highly recommend this volume.

Pin It

Tweet

Recently Read: The American Zig-Zag Volume One

 

This short story collection, lovingly created in the tradition of early 20th century magazines like Argosy and The Blue Book, showcases author Van Reid's skills at bringing to life far flung places (the "zig-zag" of the title), people and events. The tone of the stories - a seaman's tall tale, a serious and suspenseful western, a policeman's unexpected adventure, to name but a few - vary widely, but have in common a profound love of humanity in all its forms and a subtle, wry wit. With a beautifully descriptive writing style and memorably sharp observations on human nature, this volume makes a fine addition to the library of those readers already a fan of Reid's Moosepath League novels.

Published in 2010, The American Zig-Zag was followed by one more volume (due to be reviewed here). The book is liberally illustrated (and I should mention in all fairness that I illustrated the western tale, "Mrs. Pynchon's Prerogatives"), and includes many amusing asides, diversions and off-trail observations. The volume concludes with a gorgeously written beginning of a serialized story, stirring the appetite of those readers who will want to pursue more Zig-Zag and the writings of Van Reid. 

Pin It

Tweet