Fog and Other Stories

I found myself stopping after each story and grazing on the beauty of words and the strong characters and both the everyday and unique plots. I kept thinking I would try to identify those stories that really adhere to my mind, but I cannot do so. Each kept gathering strength from the preceding and I kept adding another to my list without displacement. I probably would list all, but that seems silly, if true; a wonderful collection. I draw inspiration and humility from these, wishing I could weave words half as well as Egan. She loves her characters, their humanity shining through, creating each with an honesty and emotion that infuses the plots with a truth held dear. I love the order of the stories and particularly admire "The Climber" placed last. Those of special note, in addition to "Jango Jacks" by which I was first introduced to Egan's gifts, include "Fissure," "Granny Annie and the Kid," "Intermezzo," "Folie å Trois," "Le Caprice," and "The Mime" and on and on. Other reviewers have listed some of these but not others. This is tops on my reread list. I await Egan's next book, Jenny Kidd, with great anticipation.

Laury Egan has used her broad understanding of human nature to create these 23 stories. Her characters include people from various age groups and classes;from diverse genders,orientations,and persectives. In my years of social work practice, I rarely find someone with Egan's sympathetic grasp of the psycho-social and dynamic nature of relationships. My favorite stories include "Scapegoat,""Fergus,""Grannie Annie and the Kid,"and "Payback." This collection would appeal to a wide range of readers

Egan's book contains some of the finest short stories I've read in years. She has a unique gift for characterization. There are at least a dozen ‘people’ you'll meet whom you won't forget—they'll haunt you for weeks to come, if not longer. Don't pass this one up.