A must have collection
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I originally came across this collection of stories by accident, and as soon as I had read the first one I began to search for more material by this astounding author. Sadly his life was short and this remains the only collection available. When reading these stories one can tell that little research was required, this was his life, his land and his people. The characters and situations are so consistent, so real, that it is easy to slip into this dark and troubling world and feel part of it. Pancake has the true gift of writing as though this was easy, as if these words are flowing without effort, and yet he worked tremendously hard to achieve this effect, and the end result is simply stunning. Read this, if you appreciate true writing genius you will not be disappointed.
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An exceptional collection of stories
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It really is time you discovered this man's work. His suicide while in his mid twenties cut short a literary career of incredible promise and denied Pancake the true recognition he deserves. Set among the land and people of West Virginia that he knows and understands so well, these sparse, graceful stories are beautifully crafted and both move and compel the reader. It is not overstating things to compare this book to 'Dubliners'.
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A collection to read, enjoy, and then return to
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I first read this book in 1988, but I have returned to it many times since, to reflect on the beauty of the prose and the land it describes.
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Wonderful --and knowledgeable-- Appalachian short fiction
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This is an utterly sterling collection of short fiction set in Appalachian by a writer who truly knew the people, their language, and their land. Though setting thoroughly permeates these stories, they will be treasured by anyone who appreciates characters so real you know what they look like, how they walk and sound... Pancake (his real name) died in '79, I think, four years before this collection was published. American literature is immensely poorer for having lost him... Buy the book. It ain't expensive and you won't be sorry.
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An unknown master of the short story
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Breece Pancake is the best short story writer that you've never heard of. His tales of modern West Virginia life are good the way Hemingway's work is good, or Raymond Carver's. Pancake has things to say and he says them with authority, style and grace. This is an outstanding collection.
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