Omnibus 4 contains 9 stories, all playing on varying themes, all of varying but longer lengths then you'll see in the regular Ploughshares editions. Below are my comments on the various stories in the edition:
Biting the Moon - this first story was probably my least favorite. The prose was experimental - a bit narrative, a bit free form, a bit stream of consciousness. The writing was interesting, but it interrupted to flow a reader can get into while reading a story. This first story took me about a week to read, and for Ploughshares, that's saying something. It's 53 pages long so it should have been much quicker. The story is of a woman who once had an affair with a famous composer who has now died. The story is her reflections on their relationship and how his death has affected her. There were some truly interesting parts, and the process of grief relayed over the course of the story was well done. However, the overall piece lacked in clarity and flow.
The Children's Kingdom - This one turned the edition around for me. This is the story of two parents, left in the aftermath of a heinous act by their only son. They struggle with feelings of guilt, forgiveness, love, and anger. It's brilliant.
Adopting Sarajevo - The story of an adopted girl, now a teenager, an ice skater, who returns to her birthplace of Sarajevo to reconnect with herself. Both she and her adopted mother find something of themselves there that they had maybe thought lost. It's really well done and paints a vivid picture of post-war Sarajevo.
Confession - A first-date between a minster and a farmer. Crackles with sexuality but also funny.
The Detroit Frankfurt School Discussion Group - I loved this one. Recent divorced, adjunct professor Colin Spanler, PhD is down on himself, and looking for love while living in Ann Arbor. What he finds instead is a group of Detroit citizens looking to use Frankfurt School critical theory to improve their city. It's a great look at the intersection of academic theory and actual community organizing. And watching Colin being forced out of his comfort zone to think of academics as more than just words on paper was refreshing.
Men Be Either Or, But Never Enough - This is a heartbreaking story of a young girl being raised by her OCD/Schizophrenic step-mother. The failures of the parents for this child are... well heartbreaking. I know I said that already, but these people are awful.
Cordoba Skies - This was a really beautiful story about a young teen dealing with his mother's chronic illness. His parents live in and run a museum dedicated to aliens and UFOs. He's left on his own a lot to fend for himself and try to figure out who he is. I just loved the narrative and plot choices made by Federico Falco in this one.
The Soul in Paraphrase - This was a slightly odd story about a priest, a widower, an orphan, and a ghost. The story kind of meanders around as the orphan makes a play for the widower and the priest contemplates the presence of the ghost, who is busy watching the orphan.
Beach Plum Jam - A "townie" in a Maine beach town is acquainted with an old school friend, who has made a lot of money in her new life. There is some clashing between old and new money, and old and new friends. It's a theme popping up in other stories and popular fiction, sort of like a Sue Miller or Lianne Moriarty.
Overall, I really enjoyed this edition of the Omnibus!
4/5 Stars.
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