There's something really compassionate in his story-telling that I responded well to. ( )

a real montage of stories, some better than others ( )

Un mari humilié qui rôde dans la maison de son ex-femme, un serveur déprimé qui invente à une inconnue une vie qui n'est pas la sienne pour la sauver d'un hypothétique désespoir, des hommes et des femmes qui, pour transcender leur existence ordinaire, mentent ou affaulent à l'envi, sous le soleil de Miami ou sous des cieux plus sombres...

Not every story is top notch, but good Russell Banks is great for this reader. And there are a couple great Banks stories here, too. I think that he is mapping a picture of America in the present time that will last, without self-consciously trying to "capture our times." He does it one individual at a time...Look forward to his next novel. ( )

Russell Banks’ writes a collection of highly accessible stories about Americans, who have failed or are struggling for one reason or another and are now face opportunities for redemption. Should they take a chance, stay the course or just sit it out? The answers are not entirely clear for any of his characters. An African-American woman saves up to pay cash of a used car, but finds herself trapped in a situation that offers her few viable options. A middle-aged plumbing and heating supplier is offered a second chance for an extra-marital dalliance at a convention. An ex-marine resorts to armed robbery to make ends meet after losing his job. A newly widowed woman seeks to convince a close friend to join her in a new life in Florida. A heart transplant recipient meets his donor’s widow. Some characters cope with loss while others win big. Still others seem to be content to just sit on the sidelines and watch others. ( )