“It’s a good thing Scott Nadelson has a sense of humor; otherwise his stories could really bum you out. All eight of the stories in Aftermath begin, as you might expect, with things falling apart. Six involve romantic break ups; the other two explore parental abandonment and fallout from an accident. We sympathize with his tailspinning protagonists, whether victimized or self-destructive, because let’s face it: We’ve all been there. Nadelson’s ubiquitous setting, suburban New Jersey, certainly doesn’t liven things up here. What illuminates these stories is how seamlessly Nadelson opens a window to the workings of the human heart. It’s a messy business, sometimes comic and sometimes tragic. As well as we get to know these characters, it’s fitting that, for the most part, Nadelson leaves it to us to decide whether they leave their stories in better shape than when they entered. Available September 1.”—Tom Cantwell, author and NWBL contributor, Eugene. Buy Aftermath from an independent.
Face Out
Aftermath by Scott Nadelson
August 26, 2011