Dropping by the N Bayard Little Free Library in East Point this evening, I found this book and was unable to resist the title, HEART SONGS.

These were often hard to read. I didn't like the characters. Their situations and responses were not pleasant but I kept on because Proulx's virtuosity astounded me. The detail in characterization and atmosphere is amazing. Half-way through the book, "Heart Songs" with its carefully plotted surprise was my favorite; then I kept on discovering more delights. These stories are grim and gritty but Proulx's detailed approach kept me going. Toward the end I began to understand her sense of humor. I have been meaning to read her prize-winning novel THE SHIPPING NEWS for years. I have a copy. I will read that soon.

I've left this here with a May Sarton memoir, which provides a whole different experience of the part of the world portrayed in HEART SONGS: https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/13151549 This book and the others I have left here are gifts from BookCrossing, a random community of book lovers. If you'd like to join the BookCrossing story of this book, please make a journal entry at our site with the BCID (bookcrossing ID) on the bookplate. BookCrossing is free to join and confidential. You don't have to join to comment.

This book has traveled away from Jefferson Park. I hope it found a new reader.