Mysteries of the body and the mind

Expanding the themes expressed in his debut collection of stories, John Taylor reveals himself to be a master of the intimate. Set in Iowa, Idaho, and France (where the author has lived since 1977), these twenty four stories explore haunting, suburban memories and evoke a heightened awareness of the American family. In subtle, allusive prose enriched by his long dialogue with European literature, this sensitive writer meditates on the passing of time and the quest for selfhood. Funny, sad stories with a final ironic twist are blended with short, dream-like ruminations.