Hey guys! I was sent Scouting for the Reaper from the author in exchange for an honest review so without any more ado let's get started!
From Goodreads:
Each of the characters in Scouting for the Reaper faces an unanticipated challenge: transporting a truckload of penguins across the country, arranging a proper Jewish burial for the remains of Gregor Samsa, selling tombstones dressed as a Girl Scout. These stories explore the domestic and professional adventures of people in over their heads while leavening their struggles with humor.
My critique:
"Scouting The Reaper", is a great collection of 8 short stories.
Appel writes in many different voices, both male, and female, young and old, but the predominant theme seems to be loneliness and a sense of longing
A precocious girl's self-administered blood test during biology class leaves her questioning her ancestry and opens a whole can of nasty worms when she brings the matter up with her parents.
An electrician reconnects with an old flame while his teenage son yearns for her step-daughter.
This one is quite similar to the previous story, only this time, it's a tombstone salesman and his daughter who do the lusting.
A recently widowed woman's newfound romantic interest in her husband's accountant may be shaken when she discovers a secret.
-- My personal favorite of all the stories: Finding the cause of a pet rabbit's sudden blindness becomes a librarian's obsession.
An elderly folklorist finds herself lost when her handyman, whom she's known for decades, doesn't show up for work one day.
A trucker hauling live cargo experiences some unusual problems.
and finally, a rabbi that reluctantly agrees to help the distraught Samsa family put to rest their son Gregor's remains.
While reading these stories I found myself feeling for each of the characters as if I knew them personally. I laughed, cried and got angry right along with them and when I was done reading the book I felt a sense of longing myself to re-read the book and reconnect with the characters again.
Jacob Appel has a writing style that pulls his readers in and sticks to them even after they have finished the story!
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars: a must-read for anyone feeling a little lost in the world, who feels weighed down with the problems that life can bring you.
Until next time my friends
Lynn.
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