Book Reviews (Jim Grimsley)
The last 2 pro books I completed were "Winter Birds" and "Comfort and Joy" by Jim Grimsley. Wow. I read "Dream Boy" last year, I believe, and really liked it, but I thought "Winter Birds" was even better. The atypical writing conventions (2nd person) gave it a dreamy quality that worked well with the story and the characters were beautifully drawn, each one feeling like a complete person. I thought there was only 1 misstep, in the middle of the book where a portion of the story is conveyed from the narrator's POV in a way that didn't make sense. It was an important part of the story, but felt like it was coming from a different book because it really wasn't that child's view like the rest of the novel. But that was a minor quibble in a story whose emotions I found gut wrenching.
"Comfort and Joy" is the story of the relationship between 2 men around holiday time. It's about what comes before and what comes after and why this time has so much meaning (both good and bad). One of the couple is the narrator from "Winter Bird" so reading that story gives it an extra poignancy, though their pasts are not all that defines them. I like "Winter Birds" more, but both goods are worthy reading. Just be sure to have some tissues handy.
"Comfort and Joy" is the story of the relationship between 2 men around holiday time. It's about what comes before and what comes after and why this time has so much meaning (both good and bad). One of the couple is the narrator from "Winter Bird" so reading that story gives it an extra poignancy, though their pasts are not all that defines them. I like "Winter Birds" more, but both goods are worthy reading. Just be sure to have some tissues handy.