SF Review of Books on “Compassion, Michigan” by Raymond Luczak

cover of Compassion, Michigan by Raymond LuczakBooks rarely surprise me, but this one definitely did. I expected some little hokey story about living in Michigan, but Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories by Raymond Luczak is surprisingly rich, insightful, and beautifully written, something I’d gladly have read in a college literature class.The book as a whole is a collection of short stories centered on one region of Michigan in the upper peninsula.

The atmosphere in the stories has the gritty feel of a Michigan town and a Midwest mindset, with a sense of itself and understanding of people and place that is truly a joy to read.

All the characters and stories have distinct voices and tones, so it’s not just a thinly veiled version of the author’s experiences, but rather a panoply of voices and stories.

As I said, few books surprise me, but this one genuinely did, in its depth, breadth, and quality. I’m far from an expert on Michigan authors, but I would argue for this one to be among the best, easily fitting in with Hemingway’s early The Nick Adams Stories, which take place in Michigan.

Reviewed By:

Raymond Luczak grew up in Ironwood and Houghton, Michigan. He is the author and editor of 24 books, including Flannelwood (Red Hen Press), The Kinda Fella I Am (Reclamation Press), and the award-winning Men with Their Hands (Queer Mojo). His next title will be Once Upon a Twin (Gallaudet University Press). A ten-time Pushcart Prize nominee and an inaugural Zoeglossia Fellow, he lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

PRE-ORDER UNTIL APRIL 1
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
Yooper Poetry [PB]
On Experiencing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
$19.95
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Poems about Michigan's Upper Peninsula
$15.95
On Sale
Compassion, Michigan [HC]
Compassion, Michigan [HC]
Compassion, Michigan [HC]
The Ironwood Stories
was $33.95
Save $2.00
$31.95
On Sale
Compassion, Michigan [PB]
Compassion, Michigan [PB]
Compassion, Michigan [PB]
The Ironwood Stories
was $21.95
Save $2.00
$19.95

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