SELECTED STORIES

What better recommendation than hearing this month’s wild card choice was the book Maggie O’Farrell would take to her desert island (Desert Island Discs, 2021). 'Selected Stories' by Alice Monro (winner of the Man Booker International Prize) is a treasure chest of literary treats, each story exquisitely serving up a slice of life - portraying intimate moments and unexpected twists.

With Canada as the backdrop, we are transported from rural wilderness to Toronto city life, whether it be a lonely salesman, seasonal labourers, academics and of course family relationships. As a reader we can only delight in these windows of precious moments, whether it be pants being held together by a pin in The Ottowa Valley; afternoon tea being left out too long so the sandwiches curl in ‘Dance of the Happy Shades’ or working on a turkey farm in ‘The Turkey Season’. Monro’s jewel like portraits are nuanced to perfection - ‘Notice about Herb – he always walks like he had a boat moving underneath him’.

As we peek into failed relationships, life-changing moments, love, and the totally expected, the Den cherished every story. We all had our own favourites and each story can be savoured in one sitting – perhaps a story a night or a story a commute! A worthy vintage classic from an outstanding writer.