I found some of these stories much stronger than others. The low points to me were the historical stories ("In the Electric Eden," "Aeronautics") and "Electric Fence." "The Prototype" and "Take Your Child to Work" were wonderful and unique: definitely worth the time spent reading the less satisfying stories. ( )

Many of our best novelists began by writing short stories in writing groups or workshops. Nick Arvin followed that path too, and published IN THE ELECTRIC EDEN, a collection of ten stories, many of which show, either directly or indirectly, his background in engineering and a curiosity about how things work. But the most common theme in all of these stories is the mystery of the human mind and how it works. "Prototype" is a curious story of a stunted cautious life and unrequited love. "Aeronautics" deals with the use of emerging scientific - engineering - discoveries for death and destruction, during the American Civil War, in this case. "Take Your Child to Work" was the piece I found most interesting - about a divorced engineer, his ex-wife and the petty ways they try to get back at each other, even to using their young daughter to cause embarrassment and pain. Arvin's first book is perhaps a bit uneven in its selections, but overall it is an absorbing look at that overused cliche, 'the human condition,' showing the author to be an astute observer of same.

IN THE ELECTRIC EDEN was a springboard to even better things for Nick Arvin, a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop. His first novel, ARTICLES OF WAR, was much praised, and deservedly so. His most recent book, THE RECONSTRUCTIONIST, continued Arvin's development as a writer. I'm glad I finally read this first book. It was a kind of a glimpse into the early developmental stages of a young man who has become a fine writer. ( )