Scar Vegas: And Other Stories
by Tom Paine

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Book Reviews of Scar Vegas: And Other Stories

Book Review: A Global Puzzle
Summary: 3 Stars

Like any ambitious voyage some of the destinations fascinate while others pale. "Will You Say Something, M. Eliot?" "Ceausecu's Cat", and "A Predictable Nightmare on the Eve of the Stock Market Breaking 6000", are three of the best ports of call. They each involve the tragedy of strivers derailed by the cruel nature of their environments.

The weaker stories get bogged down in overdrawn narrative and trivial dialog. "The Mayor of St. John" and "The Battle of Khafji" are both examples of stories where the author forces us to linger too long over themes he finds interesting. When Paine becomes overtly political, preaching about the evils of the money system and power politics, he undermines what he does best: providing skilled guidance through experiences we couldn't hope, or fear, to have otherwise.

Short Stories Books

• Books > Subjects > Literature & Fiction
• United States