Diversifications

Although veteran author Lovegrove has over a dozen novels to his credit, this is only his second short story collection to date, gathering stories from the latter half of his generation-long career. Lovegrove's versatility is demonstrated in the 16 stories contained within, ranging from horror to stubborn wonder and from comedy to melancholy within mere pages; readers who eschew one genre may be comforted by the fact that a completely different one will come along soon enough. Of particular interest are "Carry the Moon in My Pocket," whose protagonist's dreams prevail despite cruel victimization, "Terminal Event," reminiscent of Don McKellar's "Last Night," illuminates friendship amid certain doom, and "The Bowdler Strain" is a slight but amusing account of linguistic calamity. In addition to the fiction, the collection provides an afterword by Lovegrove discussing the collection within the context of his career as well as revealing the genesis of individual stories. The collection stands as a worthy addition to Lovegrove's works; it may be of particular interest to readers who are unfamiliar with this author. (Mar.)