Epiphanies & Elegies: Very Short Stories

I first discovered Brian Doyle in the online journal Eureka Street where his poems are occasionally published. They are deceptively simple and although the themes are often as far away from Australia as can be imagined, his writing is very accessible, and always leaves me feeling a little closer to the earth we share and to God. He has a sense of the sacredness of every moment. Reading Brian Doyle is like eating chocolate: delicious!

I purchased this book having read other Brian Doyle short stories and wanting more! Brian Doyle will be dearly missed. He conveys his stories with such realistic passion, depth, and care. One of my favorite excerpts from this book was “His Last Game”, which relays Brian’s perspective of his relationship with his brother when he is undergoing cancer treatments. This one was a little different than the other poems because it was more of a stream of consciousness piece that depicted the emotion and dialogue had with his brother at the time. Reminding him to remember the precious moments. The other poems were great as well, and he finds such an artistic way to portray real life events and the simple things in life. The poems are simple and small and focus on things in that likeness. For example, the simple remarks of children’s graves in a cemetery where he mourns the stories never told of young children. Or “Altar Boy’ where he notes on the little religious things that are done when preparing for the service like what attire to wear and lighting candles. He also discusses the feelings of huge events in small ways that still hold as much power. In the case of September 11, he takes the stance that we should hold the eleventh sacred and not refer to it as something trivial as 9/11 or nine-one-one. He debates it is more sacred than that, and should be referred to as the full September eleventh or even just the eleventh. For an altar boy, he really shows how precious he holds the day. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of poems by Brian Doyle, and all of the insights that came with it.

Wonderful! But then I love anything Brian Doyle writes. He makes you laugh, he makes you cry. He makes you just feel good.

Brian Doyle is simply one of the two best essayists writing today. This book proves it--- once again.

I discovered this author when I picked up a copy of his book of essays - "Credo" in a used book store a few years ago. I was stunned at the power of his prose, read the book cover to cover twice, and gave copies to family and friends. I bought this book thinking it was more essays. At first I was disappointed to have been 'tricked' into buying poetry (what an embarrassing admission) - but what a brilliant and pleasant trick. Some of this writing left me close to dumbfounded. Certainly speechless. Amazing, amazing stuff. I anxiously await more.