Stories From the Middle of Nowhere

Book excerpt: Susi Klare exquisitely celebrates the natural world in this collection of short fiction, while also delivering biting commentary that cuts to the heart of our relationship to the land. Bringing her intimacy with nature to the page, she creates a sensual interweaving between the details of a particular landscape and the main character's dilemma and state of mind. Including work previously published in notable literary journals, these stories encapsulate the talent of the author, the recipient of a 2001 Oregen Literary Arts Fellowhip, a Pushcart Prize nomination, and numerous other literary awards. The voices in these stories come from people who are variously attempting to lose or find themselves in the wild country from Alaska to Guatemala. Klare's work explores the nuances of mother-daughter relationships, aging, desire, and what it means to persevere and find identity in the face of trauma.