The Stuntman's Daughter and Other Stories

What a great book of stories! Again I marvel at Ms. Blanchard's gorgeous prose and deft sense of character! Encore!

I bought this on a whim over a year ago and finally got around to reading it. I must say I was impressed. Blanchard uses words as a painter uses colors and the result is often a strikingly vivid portrait, be it the overview of the environment we are entering or a wafer-thin slice of life. I found most of her characters to be refreshingly brash, usually fighting for their independence yet always under-equipped (whether they realize it or not). This is an excellent collection of short stories, right up there with Raymond Carver. Actually, her writing reminds me more of Thom Jones and Susan Minot. But Blanchard certainly has her own distinct voice, which I hope to be hearing more of.

I bought this after reading Blanchard's novel, "Darkness Peering," and it is a fantastic collection of short, often disturbing, always challenging stories. I have no doubt in my mind that Alice Blanchard is a writer of great talent who will soon be a fixture among the great American writers of our time.

After reading "Darkness Peering" and loving it, I ran out and picked up a copy of Blanchard's short story collection. I wasn't disappointed. I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but these grabbed me from page one. There is an emotional spine running through all the themes that makes them feel strangely connected and almost novel-like. Her early writing is eerie, darkly poetic and yet hopeful. I highly recommend this for anyone's library.

If you've read Blanchard's stunning psychological thriller "Darkness Peering," these stories are a fascinating insight into her impressive grasp of literary craft. Each story is poetic and passionate. Beautiful and breathtaking. Tragic, yet triumphant. Each character is alive and emotional. I know these people. Each boldly vivid story made me cry. The writer takes a lot of risks. There's a lot at stake for each character. It's a hauntingly original collection and a must-read if you're an Alice Blanchard fan--I know I am.