William Trevor: The Collected Stories
I’m finding, after living here for five years, that St. Louis is full of unassuming, artistic, amazing, and generous people. Small chats about books we’re reading at a local coffee shop turn into friendly banter and eventually, the exchange of good books. I met Rod Shene, a local rare book aficionado, collector, and seller, last year and was quickly drawn to his soft-spoken, gentle personality. He is one of those people who genuinely listens to others, and has the kind eyes of someone who has experienced loss and hardship in his life. Also, he knows a good thing when he sees it.
I don’t know Rod well, but well enough to exchange small talk and ask for book recommendations from time-to-time. So imagine my surprise and joy when he placed in my hands this massive, 1200-page treasure of one of his very favorite authors, William Trevor, the day after I finished Fates and Furies (and found myself deeply sad because I hadn’t wanted it to end and had become so surprisingly attached to the characters and story). He insisted I keep it, or pass it on to another book-lover, so that is what I plan to do (are you this person???). I love the idea of paying it forward literature-style.
And the book, wow! It’s a collection of 85 short stories, all the perfect length to devour over a cup of coffee or just before turning in for the night. The characters, dialogue, and layers of each story I’ve read so far are fantastic. I also loved reading about Trevor’s thoughts on writing, found here.
“My stories have an awful lot to do with feelings, they aren’t to do with other realities. All kinds of feelings seem to me to be worth going on about in print, exploring and wondering about and being curious about,” Trevor says. “I write out of curiosity more than anything else. That’s why I write about women, because I’m not a woman and I don’t know what it’s like. The excitement of it is to know more about something that I’m not and can’t be.”
Check it out from your local library. You won’t be disappointed.