This is volume full of anguish - missed opportunities, unexpected death, heartbreak, and nostalgia. The local aspect adds another layer. As a person not originally from New Ulm, but of the small town Minnesota Culture, I see my family in these stories. The family owned bar, the isolated farmer, refusing any help but that of his wife. These stories are absolutely ruthless with emotions.

As for the setting, the characters are generation older than I am. References to eras long passed, customs only talked about at Family Holidays. Its like reading stories about my relative second, but with a clarity of emotion that is often missing. These stories are not mine. But they could be.

The stories are simply written, but with emotion that makes the story. I'm not sure I like it. At times, these stories hit to close to home. But I certainly will be thinking about and recommending it. ( )