FIRE IN THE NIGHT & OTHER STORIES

Lonely people search for peace and stability in this volume of fictional and true stories.

Spc. Vincent Parker and his fellow National Guard members get lost in rainy Vancouver in Washington state in this book’s title novella. The Guard had failed to control a civil demonstration, which became a riot and “a war of independence” against the authorities. The soldiers later stumble on a cabin apparently owned by street preacher John Monk, whose accidental death may have sparked the riot. Signs of Monk’s messages of tranquility fill the cabin, both haunting and inspiring Parker, who’s tormented by the memory of a civilian he fatally shot. The opening tale, “May Eleventh,” also features a soldier—the author himself. In 1970, he was a Navy veteran at Portland State University in Oregon. Although he saw no combat in Vietnam, he witnessed the campus war protests turning violent not long after the Kent State shootings. The collection’s stories showcase literal and figurative loners. For example, Morgan’s home porch repair project in “Before the Rains Come” involved work he handled solo despite an escalating sickness and the fact that he lacked the skills his carpenter father had wielded. Others, like Parker, feel alone even when surrounded by people. The author aptly ties his profound tales together; Fire in the Night, which concludes the book, features entertaining nods to earlier stories. But the collection is occasionally repetitive; nearly every protagonist is a writer or an aspiring author. And “Rains” mirrors another tale, “The Sound Garden”—a hefty backyard project for a not-so-skilled Morgan. Still, myriad highlights brighten the pages, such as “Vido’s Stone.” In this memorable fable, reclusive sculptor Vido allows art student Giovine to watch him work. But Vido’s surprisingly unhurried progress repeatedly tests Giovine’s patience. In addition, the author’s descriptions teem with vivid details, including one man’s big nose; thick, multicolored hair; and badly shaven face of “little nicks and cuts.”

A compelling collection of tales that delight and enlighten.