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A review by eastofreaden
Something Rich and Strange: Selected Stories by Ron Rash
4.0
Whenever I post about Ron Rash, I usually am met with “I’ve never heard of him,” which is a CRIME. I’ve read 10 of his books now, and I wish I could properly explain what it is about his books that I love so much. I think it’s how phenomenally he writes the dark parts of human behaviours. It’s so subtle, and then you're met head-on with something truly surprising but with compassion.
His characters tend to be near the bottom end of the socio-economic spectrum. And he has such a command of his writing I am immediately absorbed into the environment. His books are in Appalachia and span as far back as the Civil War. Of all the Southern Gothic writers I've read, he's my favourite.
My favourite story from this collection is "Lincolnites," which takes place during the Civil War. The pregnant wife of a soldier, a Lincoln supporter, is alone at home in Confederate territory, and when a strange man shows up, she does what she has to protect her family. I also loved the title story, which is about a woman who marries an outsider, and when fires begin to pop up all over town due to an unknown arsonist, he is immediately suspect number one.
I only have two more books of his on my shelf to read, and I am devastated to be so close to catching up.
His characters tend to be near the bottom end of the socio-economic spectrum. And he has such a command of his writing I am immediately absorbed into the environment. His books are in Appalachia and span as far back as the Civil War. Of all the Southern Gothic writers I've read, he's my favourite.
My favourite story from this collection is "Lincolnites," which takes place during the Civil War. The pregnant wife of a soldier, a Lincoln supporter, is alone at home in Confederate territory, and when a strange man shows up, she does what she has to protect her family. I also loved the title story, which is about a woman who marries an outsider, and when fires begin to pop up all over town due to an unknown arsonist, he is immediately suspect number one.
I only have two more books of his on my shelf to read, and I am devastated to be so close to catching up.