Midnight Magic

The stories are all completely separate but linked by taking place in southwest Kentucky in the 1970's. An older generation is shocked by a younger generation's extra-marital sex and use of alcohol. Religion is an issue, but one of social observance rather than belief. The question is whether or not to spend Sunday morning in church rather whether to believe or not believe. Even a character who is a minister seems to have chosen his trade rather as he might have chosen any other. The characters are poor by American standards. (From an international perspective American poverty has something of the Petit Trianon about it). They are one or two generations removed from farming The jobs they hold seldom interest them and they do not have meaningful careers. Mason has affinities to the school of writing exemplified by Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, Richard Russo and Russell Banks, sometimes called "dirty realism." Some of these other writers are minimalists, but Mason often indulges in lyrical description and likes to set the scene and illustrate her characters' tastes and social standing by listing their possessions.. I realized I had read most of the stories before, in the New Yorker or Atlantic, but is was a delight to find them again.

This is a wonderful compilation of short stories, many of which i had already read in Shiloh. The common thread that i found is that the characters in these stories mean well, but are slightly clueless in this business of life. Here you have Leroy, whose life is disintegrating in front of his eyes, or Sam, who looks back at his long life not understanding how some things happened, or Nancy, wondering how she ended up so far away from home. But there's something very endearing about these people, in most cases illiterate, living in the periphery of middle class. A very enjoyable read.

Not only are the best stories from "Shiloh and Other Stories" here, but some excellent pieces from another volume as well. Even the cover of this book is great, as it illuminates the highly discussed snaking sidewalk in "Shiloh." The commentaries on the stories are gems as well, letting you inside the writer's mind. Wonderful book!