Saturday, December 13, 2014

Review: Hark - A Christmas Collection

Hark: A Christmas Collection
by Justin Bog

Synopsis

A beautifully written collection of short stories from critically acclaimed Pacific Northwest writer Justin Bog, Hark explores the range of emotions surrounding the holidays. From melancholy to madness, loss and despair to hope and forgiveness, these six tales shimmer with feelings, some we'd rather stuff away, that Christmas can evoke.
Set in colorful locations around the United States, from Anacortes, Washington, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sun Valley, Idaho, each tale focuses on people who struggle to make good choices, learn lessons, and maybe even find peace during the holiday season.

A bonus story, Poseidon Eyes, from Booktrope's upcoming reissue of Sandcastle and Other Stories---The Complete Edition, is included.

Review
I cannot be the only person that loves reading Christmas-related stories around Christmas time, right? That is part of the reason why I enjoyed reading Hark - the Christmas focus. However, that was only a tip of the iceberg. In these 6 short stories (another bonus!), we are witness to the spectrum that is human emotion. We could experience this any time of the year, but there is something about Christmas that can bring out how grateful, angry, happy, sad and lonely we all are. I believe most of us feel a plethora of feelings like this throughout the holidays (here's hoping it's more grateful and happy than the others, yeah?). 

The stories that Bog has included in this collection all center around your average person who is going about their average days that are tinted with the holidays and therefore, are presented with these choices they must make. It's a beautiful collection that anyone who enjoys short stories and particularly those focused on character emotions will enjoy. I know I did.

Verdict
Pick it up and let it engulf you. 

About the Author
Justin Bog lives in the Pacific Northwest on Fidalgo Island. Justin Bog was Pop Culture Correspondent and Editor for In Classic Style. He enjoys cooking, lawn mowing not so much, and spends time walking and handing out treats to two long coat German shepherds, Zippy and Kipling, and two barn cats, Ajax The Gray and Eartha Kitt’n.
Follow Justin Online
Justin Bog A Writer's Life Blog: www.justinbog.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JustinBog1
Twitter: @JustinBog

1 comment:

  1. Celia, thank you very much for taking the time out of a busy December holiday schedule to read and review Hark! Means the world to me, and I loved your take on my off-kilter collection. Merry merry, Justin

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