Folk Songs for Trauma Surgeons: Stories

I received an ARC of Folk Songs For Trauma Surgeons: Stories, authored by Keith Rosson, from Librarythings; my honest review follows below, freely given. I am thankful for the opportunity. I rated this collection 4.5 stars. The title grabbed me, I wondered if it would be filled with stories within the medical field; what would trauma surgeons consider folk songs in story form? After finishing this collection, I looked up the author’s other works and added them to my must buy list. THE LESSER HORSEMAN This made me chortle, not laugh or giggle. Chortle. Terry Pratchett would approve, I’d like to think. AT THIS TABLE When telling this event to family, friends, down the road of time, I wonder how many will believe it? How many will think it a cute exaggeration or complete flight of fancy? BABY JILL My favorite of the this collection! I would read a whole series set in this world, I would love to see all the inner workings of this universe. Carol forever. Gary too, bless his heart. THEIR SOULS CLIMB THE ROOM This is the first story that really hit me right in the feels; I’m talking full-on shoulder slump, staring into nothing, and feeling the world was a little more grey. Beautiful. HOSPITALITY You never know what the people you see are going through, or how it may affect you. This was odd, like a slice of chocolate pie where they added raisins for some reason. THIS WORLD OR THE NEXT Fictionally, I have a thing for cults and fanaticism, their reality is too heartbreaking. I wonder what it was like for them in their heyday after watching them during their setting sun. GIFTS The imagery that flowed around the people in this story reminded me of the movie Re-cycle (2006), a Cantonese film that’s tag line was ‘The abandoned don’t just disappear.’ Every time the moths appeared in the story, I thought of this line. COYOTE For better or worse, this was one of my least favorite in the collection. The brothers’ connection and past were done well, but the story was a bit confusing for me. YES, WE ARE DULY CONCERNED WITH CALAMITOUS EVENTS The lack of information on the cause of the calamitous events within this story made the skin on the back of my neck feel weird while reading it, thinking about it. Are they sure what they see out the windows is true? WINTER, SPRING, WHATEVER HAPPENS AFTER THAT Another in the feels one. Does how you think the ending goes say something about the state of your mind? Glass half and all that? I know how I think it ended, and it wasn’t great. FORGIVE ME THIS I fear this is one that I do not get. I’ve read it a few times, and I can understand it in sections, but when I try to connect it all together, I fail. DUNSMUIR My sister likes to watch those slices of life anime, which are always so perfect. Some lives are a little more rocky but just as happy in the end. HOMECOMING Another one that I would be interested in reading an expanded story on someday. Is there only one town? If so, does it ever get crowded? THE MELODY OF THE THING Just so much bad luck on a dude. BRAD BENSKE AND THE HAND OF LIGHT I don’t know if I think that Sissy was kind or cruel in her actions here. Maybe both, but it was interesting to see things from her husband’s side.