2024 The Paper Man and Other Stories by William Thompson NEUF

In this collection of contemporary short fiction, William Thompson shows characters who must reconcile their pasts in order to find freedom in their present. Whether experiencing death, marriage, or the simple hardships of growing up, each of these characters must somehow come to terms with the past before moving on to something new.

Molly in "Teddy" and Melvina in "The End of Summer," struggle to reconcile themselves to a new life and a new home. Younger characters, such as Nick in "Martie" and Jocelyn in "Transformations," are more invested in being themselves and finding a place apart from their families.

Placed in both urban and small-town settings, these stories show characters having their lives redefined and having to reinvent themselves as a result. But whether its in the past or the present, these characters each face a difficult choice about who they are.

Filled with striking metaphors and deeply suggestive narratives, this collection takes its inspiration from such writers as Alistair MacLeod, Alice Munro, and Raymond Carver. In these moving-and sometimes funny-pieces, all-too-human characters learn to try and change their lives in the face of whatever comes their way.