Self Storage and Other Stories

Self Storage ranges from a Croatian family in America, to men and their baseball, to cars with red lights that keep coming on, to the well-crafted title story that offers commentary and philosophy on the materialistic accumulation of "stuff".Mary Helen Stefaniak's sense of character, tight and unwavering language, and especially voice, make her writing very pleasing to read. She offers a nice blend of entertainment, intelligence, and humorous observations in every story.You'll be telling your friends about Staramajka, the naked man, you'll empathize a little more with your grandma, and you might rethink your life a bit when you step back to look at your own self storage; Stefaniak's writing is that powerful.

Self-Storage received the Banta Award from the Wisconsin Library Association for the best book (fiction on non-fiction) published by a Wisconsin author in 1997. It's a wonderful collection of short stories, fresh and alive.

Stories about your quirky next-door neighbors, told with warmth and affection. Many of the stories focus on relations across gender, age, and class divisions. Beneath the humor, and sometimes because of it, there is a deeper message about human nature. And in a handsomely designed book. Great cover!

We have all had the car problem of the red light that stays on forever, only to have it disappear at the repair shop. Funniest story ever: getting one of those new "water closets" in your house. (Right next to the Kitchen!)

The wit and unflinching honesty of this book combine with great writing to make a volume I'm reluctant to loan out. I'm buying additional copies for friends. I hope we hear more from Mary Helen Stefaniak!