COMPUTER LOVE

Everyday people stumble into extraordinary circumstances in Pierre-Louis’ debut short story collection.

In the opening tale, “Marley’s Mom,” a 5-year-old boy craves his mother’s attention and affection. He dreads the lonely evenings when she goes out—especially when she gets home late. The struggle to hold on to family or some other kind of union is a theme coursing through the works in this compact but compelling book. For example, ex-gambler Adrian Lewis of “Mr. Lewis & The Lucky Zebra” connects with Elise, a keen, headstrong banker, but when his lingering debt at an Indiana casino threatens the couple’s future marriage, he must clear what he owes. In “An Essential Worker,” office worker Raul has grown accustomed to watching fellow employees pack up their things and leave—but one bizarre day, it appears that everyone except him has vacated the office. The collection’s highlight comes in the latter half: a series of stories involving aspiring Chicago artist Jamie and his newfound romance with Eva. She’s a wealthy, successful sex worker who’s hoping that she and Jamie will share something more profound than physical. Throughout, this collection features a commendable range of characters, including a bar owner who serves drinks as well as retribution in “Matron”and a bored god who immerses himself in mortals’ curious holiday tradition in “God in a Window.”Pierre-Louis’ lyrical prose makes spectacular sights seem oddly familiar, such as a lion with an otherworldly glow in “The Golden Lion” or, in the case of Jamie’s cluttered studio apartment, just the opposite: “Even the eggshell white walls caught a stray splash of color. Magenta, cerulean, and midnight made their debut as accidental abstracts.” One will only wish that the stories were longer.

A compilation of poetic, earnest, and arresting tales.