The Book of Life

Poignant, insightful, and beautifully written, Nadler's debut story collection looks at the complications that arise in the relationships of everyday people. In the stories such as "In the Book of Life," "Catherine and Henry," and "Winter on the Sawtooth," Nadler questions how affairs change people and whether they mean the end of love. His realistic examinations of familial relationships between children, fathers, mothers, and siblings, in the stories "Visiting" and "The Moon Landing," are heartbreaking. Nadler shows his readers that though people aren't perfect, it doesn't mean they're malicious. The unexpected can change people, but they survive, leaving readers with a sense of hope. With this collection, Nadler demonstrates an fine understanding of the human psyche. (Sept.)