Midwest Book Review on Raymond Luczak’s Compassion Michigan

The Literary Fiction Shelf

Raymond Luczak
Modern History Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9627
9781615995288, $33.95, HC, 200pp
Synopsis: Doesn’t history matter anymore? Could we still have compassion for others who don’t share our views? Encompassing some 130 years in Ironwood’s history, “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories” by Raymond Luczak (who is a Yooper native, and either the author or the editor of 24 books — including Flannelwood) illuminates characters struggling to adapt to their circumstances starting in the present day, with its subsequent stories rolling back in time to when Ironwood was first founded.
As an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set that keeps the readers total and rapt attention to what they are reading, author Raymond Lucazk has created an impressive body of work with “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories”
These are deftly crafted and engaging stories about what does it mean to live in a small town (so laden with its glory day reminiscences) against the stark economic realities of today:
  • A Deaf woman, born into a large, hearing family, looks back on her turbulent relationship with her younger, hearing sister.
  • A gas station clerk reflects on Stella Draper, the woman who ran an ice cream parlor only to kill herself on her 33rd birthday.
  • A devout mother has a crisis of faith when her son admits that their priest molested him.
  • A bank teller, married to a soldier convicted of treason during the Korean War, gradually falls for a cafeteria worker.
  • A young transgender man, with a knack for tailoring menswear, escapes his wealthy Detroit background for a chance to live truly as himself in Ironwood.
  • When a handsome single man is attracted to her, a popular schoolteacher enters into a marriage of convenience only to wonder if she’s made the right decision.

Raymond Luczak, author of Compassion, Michigan

Critique: The twin roles of the literary short story are to entertain and to provoke thought. As an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set that keeps the readers total and rapt attention to what they are reading, author Raymond Lucazk has created an impressive body of work with “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories”. While especially and unreservedly recommended for both community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories” is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781615995271, $21.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.95).

Editorial Note: Raymond Luczak is a Yooper native, is the author and editor of 24 books, including Flannelwood.

Welcome to our combined storefront! This catalog serves all of our diverse imprints including:

Chappie's Tale [PB]
Chappie's Tale [PB]
Chappie's Tale [PB]
The Real Story of Our Funny Ferret
$18.95
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
The Coca-Cola Trail [PB]
People and Places in the History of Coca-Cola
$26.95
Lumberjack [PB]  -- RESALE ONLY
Lumberjack [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Lumberjack [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Inside an Era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - 70th Anniversary Edition
$21.95
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [HC] -- RESALE ONLY
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$37.95
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
Make It Go in the Snow [HC]
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$37.95
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Make It Go in the Snow [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$21.95
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
Make It Go in the Snow [PB]
People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobile
$21.95
Old Victoria [PB]
Old Victoria [PB]
Old Victoria [PB]
A Copper Mining Ghost Town in Ontonagon County Michigan
$14.95
On Sale
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off the Hook Too! [PB}
Off-Beat Reporter's Tales from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.)
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
Yooper Poetry [HC]
Yooper Poetry [HC]
Yooper Poetry [HC]
On Experiencing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
$29.95
U.P.
Relative Sanity [HC]
Relative Sanity [HC]
Relative Sanity [HC]
Poems
was $28.95
Save $2.00
$26.95
NEW!
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [HC]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$34.95
NEW!
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #8 [PB]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$19.95
Lumberjack
Lumberjack
Lumberjack
Inside an Era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - 70th Anniversary Edition
$21.95
On Sale
The Last Huck [PB]
The Last Huck [PB]
The Last Huck [PB]
A Novel
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
The Main Line Mutt [HC]
Maggie Dog Learns Her True Worth
$28.95
Narcisso-Fascism
Narcisso-Fascism
Narcisso-Fascism
The Psychopathology of Right-Wing Extremism
$25.95
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
The SideRoad Kids - Book 2
A Summer of Discovery
$19.95
Roadkill Justice
Roadkill Justice
Roadkill Justice
Featuring Yooper Woodswoman Nettie Bramble
$19.95
Luck or Miracle
Luck or Miracle
Luck or Miracle
A World War II POW's Survival Story
$19.95
The Alexandria Code
The Alexandria Code
The Alexandria Code
An Isabella Carter Adventure
$21.95
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Please Explain Divorce to Me!
Because My Parents Are Breaking Up
$17.95
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
The Main Line Mutt [PB]
Maggie Dog Learns Her True Worth
$16.95
The Healing Power of Running
The Healing Power of Running
The Healing Power of Running
A Guide to Healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit
$15.95
Katana Gets a Family
Katana Gets a Family
Katana Gets a Family
Lessons of a Labradoodle
$15.95
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
On Experiencing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
$19.95
On Sale
Off the Hook [PB}
Off the Hook [PB}
Off the Hook [PB}
Off-Beat Reporter's Tales from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.)
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
The SideRoad Columnist [PB]
Observations from an Upper Michigan Author
$0.00
The Perfect Gift
The Perfect Gift
The Perfect Gift
Color My World Perfect
$17.95
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Points North [PB] -- RESALE ONLY
Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and Waterways of the Upper Peninsula
$27.95
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Hardcover] -- RESALE ONLY
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$39.95
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Yooper Ale Trails [HC]
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$39.95
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback]  -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback] -- RESALE ONLY
Yooper Ale Trails [Paperback] -- RESALE ONLY
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$24.95
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Yooper Ale Trails [PB]
Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$24.95
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [HC]
Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$34.95
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
U.P. Reader -- Volume #7 [PB]
: Bringing Upper Michigan Literature to the World
$19.95
SAVE!
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Frugal Editor 3rd + Writing for Bliss
Two great books, one low price
was $48.95
Save $14.00
$34.95
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
I'm Mixed and I'm Me
A Celebration of Multiracial and Multicultural Identity
$14.95
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
Up Bow, Down Bow [PB]
A Child with Down Syndrome and His Journey to Master the Cello
$23.95
North of Nelson - Volume 1
North of Nelson - Volume 1
North of Nelson - Volume 1
Stories of Michigan's Upper Peninsula - Volume 1
$14.95
View from the SideRoad
View from the SideRoad
View from the SideRoad
A Collection of Upper Peninsula Stories
$16.95
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
What Happened to Chester? [PB]
An En-deer-ing Tale of Hope and Healing
$15.95
Practicing Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo's Activity and Coloring Book for Kids
$13.95
3rd Ed
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
The Frugal Editor, 3rd [PB]
Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets-From Your Query Letters to Final Manuscript to the Marketing of Your New Bestseller
$22.95
Beachcombers [PB]
Beachcombers [PB]
Beachcombers [PB]
A Clementine the Rescue Dog Adventure
$17.95
Coats of Arms [PB]
Coats of Arms [PB]
Coats of Arms [PB]
An Introduction to The Science and Art of Heraldry
$21.95
My Grief Is Like the Ocean
My Grief Is Like the Ocean
My Grief Is Like the Ocean
A Story for Children Who Lost a Parent to Suicide
$16.95
Life Skills, 2nd Edition
Life Skills, 2nd Edition
Life Skills, 2nd Edition
Improve the Quality of Your Life with Applied Metapsychology
$24.95
Moose Willow Mystery
Moose Willow Mystery
Moose Willow Mystery
A Yooper Romance
$24.95
1 - 60 of 332 items

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.