The Crow’s Dinner

This treasure trove of readings by master novelist Jonathan Carroll contains a richness of captivatingly pleasant vignettes. Of the hundreds of short essays, some are a fraction of a page in length, while others are a page or two. But these evocative sketches of his observations of life’s passing scenes evoke striking mental images. Each of the narratives translates the written words into intriguing visual portrayals in the form of cartoons, drawings, and paintings; in effect, these pieces activate the imagination. One glowing story describes the noisy racket of helpless children resonating their joyful thrill at being caught in a drenching rain shower. In another touching story, the distinction between physical attractiveness and spiritual beauty is sharply depicted. There is a storyline in everything that this author views, and he records his impressions in hauntingly engaging language with wistful overtones. He captures the mundane and trite in everyday events and also the gems that occasionally enrich the ordinary routine of daily living. Each of the stories contains the nucleus for expansion into a larger narrative, and it is evident that this writer is a master of his trade.

This edition would make a worthy gift for those who enjoy fine writing.