Pictures of the Shark by Thomas H. McKneely
- Pamela Painter, author of What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers and Fabrications: New and Selected Stories
“In these gorgeously crafted interlinked stories, Thomas McNeely demonstrates once again an uncanny ability to illuminate the darkest emotional corners of his characters with a vision that is as tender and compassionate as it is unflinching.”
- Antonio Ruiz-Camacho, author of Barefoot Dogs
“With masterful prose, McNeely draws you down into emotional depths where your ambivalence and confusion show you at your most profoundly human. These stories hook you quickly and deeply and keep you even after they end.
- C.W. Smith, author of Steplings, Buffalo Nickel, and Understanding Women
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Pictures of the Shark
is a series of intertwined short stories whose central characters are Buddy and his embattled
parents. Each story is a snapshot of their lives. Lives filled with pain and
angst as they needle each other, testing, probing. Love is a weapon to withhold
or to smother. Unable or unwilling to communicate their feelings, they lob
verbal bombs at each other or try to convince themselves that ‘tickle torture’
is a sign of affection. Alcohol becomes a balm to hide from the pain until it
becomes its own weapon of destruction.
Margot hadn’t planned
on getting pregnant. Arlene suggested giving Buddy up for adoption. No one, not
even Margot’s own mother, thought it was a good idea for Margot, a single woman
nearing forty, to have a child. Jimmy had insisted on marriage. But Jimmy, it
turned out, had no real interest in being married. He had hated it…
Pictures of the Shark is a painful look at a dysfunctional family. There are no happy endings here. I felt uncomfortable reading these passages, angry at Buddy’s mother for putting up with her mentally abusive husband, outrage at him for his treatment of her and Buddy, anguish for a child whose life is destroyed by those who should be protecting him. Maybe he should have been given up for adoption, at least he would has stood a chance.
Readers who enjoy insightful dives into the human psyche will appreciate these challenging stories that will stick with you long after the last page is turned.
2 winners: autographed copy of Pictures of the Shark
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 7/15/2022)
7/5/22 | Excerpt | |
7/5/22 | BONUS Promo | |
7/6/22 | Review | |
7/6/22 | BONUS Promo | |
7/7/22 | Guest Post | |
7/8/22 | Review | |
7/9/22 | Excerpt | |
7/10/22 | Playlist | |
7/11/22 | Review | |
7/12/22 | Author Interview | |
7/13/22 | Review | |
7/14/22 | Review |
Great review -- and that part about it feeling awkward sometimes -- exactly! Like what you're witnessing needs intervention or is uncomfortably personal. Thanks for sharing.
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