Jon Papernick

Jonathan Papernick presents us here with 14 short stories of varying length and quality but each of which works in its own way. Each story features a flawed or damaged character enduring or overcoming life's challenges: life in all its contrariness and violence. Papernick writes with confidence and flair and carries the reader easily.
I have to single out the opening story from this collection as a star turn far and away the best, most crafted story of them all and one which kept reminding me of Henry Roth and that is praise indeed. His protagonist Fannie is the stuff of legend in a quiet unassuming way overcoming every insult that life throws at her and persists. Fannie of Displaced Person is the star of this collection.… (mer)

I really wanted to like this book more. This collection of short stories was of variable quality for me. There were two five-star stories. The first was “Biafran Man” which was beautifully balanced, emotional, tense, mystical and with a resonating message. The other was the titular story which was perfectly weighted and didn’t overstay its welcome. Perhaps the most disappointing, because it started with a promise that it couldn’t fulfil, was “Displaced Person”, the longest story in the collection. The first half drew the reader in but it finished with a fizzle.
Nevertheless its worth acknowledging that the author tackles some challenging and dark topics with victimised characters in awkward situations including occasional elements of mysticism. He deserves kudos for what he has achieved.… (mer)