Close Is Fine

by Eliot Treichel

Winner of the 2013 Wisconsin Library Association Literary Award

Like a Polaroid snapshot, this finely wrought collection of short stories gives us a brief glimpse into the quirky and complex lives of rural town inhabitants. As the characters struggle to define their individuality and reconcile their ideals with ordinary life, we are witness to their unique self-discoveries. At times mournful and haunting, this story collection celebrates the nobility of simple life, of striving and failing without ever losing hope. 


"The gleeful destruction of this collection’s first pages is an early warning that you’re entering a world like no other. Not just a world where a car battery might be thrown through a storm window for fun, but one where “I think I have issues with your thought process” is usually meant as a kind of compliment. The stories of Close Is Fine could not be so funny if they weren’t also so sad, and their energy is always tempered by a narration of sharp reflection and clear, sure-footed prose. This is what I admire most about the book—the tension between the intelligence and control of the storytelling and the mistakes, the lack of control in the actions of the characters he tells us about. These are consistently provocative stories, stories of a very high order."

- Peter Rock, Author of My Abandonment and The Unsettling

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Eliot Treichel is the author of the YA novel A Series of Small Maneuvers, which received the Oregon Book Award's Readers' Choice Award and the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading the West Award. His story collection, Close Is Fine, received the Wisconsin Library Association Literary Award. His other work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Canoe & Kayak, Narrative, Beloit Fiction Journal, CutBank, and Passages North. He thinks running up hills is fun, sandwiches are better with potato chips, and that no one should go to bed without a cookie. Originally from Wisconsin, he now lives in the PNW.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treichel's tales of ordinary life in small town Wisconsin are as human and heartbreaking as any served up in Winesburg or Yoknapatawpha. I've never traveled there but anyone who's ever grown up in rural America will instantly recognize these people--the bar at the crossroad, the losing high school team, the mini-mall--the daily situations in which much of America ekes by. No matter where you are from, everyone has been here at some point, at least emotionally. In the title story, at one point, an earnest young man trying to repair his broken marriage (and as yet unfinished house) reflects: "I thought that's how things were built: by increments, by little pieces, nailed together in a way that could keep out the cold." The same could be said for each of these stories--indeed for all fiction. Terrific writing here. Don't fly over. Enjoy the refueling.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, original and absolutely engaging, Treichel shares glimpses into life and all that it is made up of. The stories are beautiful, dark and, at times, haunting. These are stories that will stay with you after the book is closed. 4 stars!

[Rosina Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close is Fine by Eliot Treichel is a series of short stories about everyday heartbreaks in life. Set in rural Wisconsin, with the open desolation of the terrain reflected in Treichel’s circular storytelling, Treichel’s characters will feel familiar to many Americans. Though each story is specific, there’s a vastness to Treichel’s writing style that makes them feel almost folkloric without using traditional folklore language. The narrative voice changes somewhat for each story, which helps give each main character flesh and depth. Every main character seems to be almost a spectator in their own life to varying degrees, waiting for something to change in their life without quite knowing how to make that change happen themselves, or sometimes not seems to build up the drive to do it themselves. Honestly, I found this frustrating at times. That’s not really the point of these stories, though, or not the main point. I do think that Treichel is saying something about the helplessness that can come from being stuck in a life you didn’t chose, but for these characters, they often had no other viable options. In “The Luberjack’s Story,” it is explicitly stated that though they’d all like to leave, most have nowhere to go and nothing to live on. As I read, I felt the underlying question, “Why am I here?” drumming away beneath all the stories. Each story was a defining moment in its character’s life; a point at which they asked themselves what life was meant for. Treichel displays a mastery in understanding character as he explores these questions, crafting distinct situations for each character. He clearly has carefully thought of the building blocks of a person, and has tucked away larger ideas about socioeconomics, poverty, bigotry, etc. into smaller moments to give each thrown firework and fifty cent toll the weight of a felled hemlock tree.

[Jennifer Ladwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel has a wonderful voice and storytelling style and I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection. Although I have never been to Wisconsin, he has a way of putting you into the story, and elements of Treichel's narratives about the rural town and it's inhabitants can be seen in any number of small towns across the country. Treichel's short stories beautifully show the dark underbelly of human nature, putting into words the struggles and emotions we all feel on a daily basis. Treichel's stories are varied, ranging greatly in time, viewpoint, and subject, giving readers the opportunity to connect with the stories from multiple angles. While Treichel's stories certainly cannot be classified as strictly "happy," they most definitely are real. From the jealousy in "The Lumberjack's Story" to the insecurity in "Papermaker Pride," from the marital indiscretion in "On By" to the parental resentment in "The Golden Torch," readers of all ages, gender, background and passions can connect with these stories. Close is Fine is a quick, pleasurable read, and I will be suggesting it to friends and family who enjoy reading about human nature at its core.

[Vi La Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small-town Wisconsin chronicle is at once gorgeous and disturbing. Every short story is personal and private, and it almost makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something you shouldn’t be looking at… a journal entry or a scene through a window. Treichel’s writing style is no-nonsense, blunt and conversational. His characters wash dishes or drink coffee or take prom pictures or buy shoes in a way that sparks the synapses: “I’ve done that. I know what that feels like.”

At the same time, the underlying themes of these stories are universal in a way that makes them profound and sad. “The Golden Torch” deals with broken family and the almost inevitable disintegration of independence and communication that comes with age. “Stargazer” evokes a primal connection between humankind and the animals they befriend. “Papermaker Pride” homes in on the good-natured, desperate competitiveness of high school and the need to craft an identity out of what you’ve been given. These stories use unassuming, small-town-sized words to talk about things as big as the state of Wisconsin.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Eliot Treichel's young adult novel A Series of Small Maneuvers, I wasn't sure what to expect from his older collection of short stories set in his home state of Wisconsin. I discovered a collection that I couldn't stop reading--often finding myself so deeply immersed in a character's life and voice that I was surprised to turn the page and find that the story had ended. From high school homecoming to lumberjack camp, dog sleds to a tame bear, each story dives deeply into its own characters and world, without ever quite losing the sense that the entire collection belongs to the same world.

Treichel so clearly respects his characters and their environment that even when we leave them without a happy ending, there remains a stalwart hope of moving forward, moving on. Reminiscent of the American short story tradition exemplified by Raymond Carver, Close is Fine paints a complete picture of everyday lives that by turns evokes sadness, empathy, and hope.

[Amylia Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel is a master of raw, honest writing. His tendency to drop his readers in the middle of a scene is simultaneously jarring and familiar; in many of these stories, context isn't given for several pages--but through approachable, easy-flowing language and dialogue, you feel like you already know the context. Treichel's descriptions of settings and characters read like fresh memories, making you feel not only like he was just living the scene, but that you were there too. I've never lived in rural Wisconsin, but Treichel's ability to apply universality to every scene he creates makes me believe these stories happened right in my own backyard.
If you enjoy walking into the middle of a conversation, hate exposition, and/or are a fan of Raymond Carver-esque bare-bones-but-still-somehow-descriptive descriptions, you'll absolutely love this beautiful collection of stories that were written from the heart.

[Emma Hovley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel’s Close Is Fine is somehow gritty and raw and sweet all at the same time. I love short story collections, and Treichel’s book proved to be no exception. He has done an incredible job of capturing the ugly, messy realities of life—especially small-town life—while tempering those experiences with often-sweet and always-emotional revelations and twists. Treichel is also a masterful writer, with sharp prose that feels expertly crafted without ever feeling overbearing or distracting from the stories and characters we get to experience. Close Is Fine is a wonderfully nuanced and stark look at loss, relationships, and family, and I know I’ll be picking it up again soon.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story collection set in rural Northern Wisconsin is a sleeper. My initial gut is to rate it a 3, though the more I think, it could be a 4.

I did not love the first two stories. They felt disjointed, unfinished, and ended abruptly, which I found dissatisfying. As the collection progressed, I felt the stories got better and more defined. There were interesting characters, doing all the things we do - making bad decisions, going about the day-to-day of their lives, and interacting with their neighbors.

All the while, each new story helped to peel away one more layer of understanding of what life could be like in a small northern town.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close is Fine By Me is an authentic, raw portrayal of midwestern life. Its stories capture the deepest intricacies of an underrepresented lifestyle, a representation that seems even more critical in our current political climate. I encourage anyone and everyone to read these nine stories, as they are not only incredibly written, but inherently real. It is an easy read, but one that will resonate with readers for a long stretch of time. The authenticity of Treichel's portrayal of flawed yet honest characters only further captivated my interest in the text, and helped me breeze through all of the stories as I simply could not wait to meet the rest of the characters. I wanted to be at The Stargazer; I wanted to know what it felt like to celebrate a "big win," even though my team never won; I wanted to know what it felt like to be a character in Treichel's world, a world that is highly imperfect but also highly personal and necessary to truly understand the world around me. Close is Fine comes at my highest level of recommendation for its honest portrayal of humanity in its rawest form, a side of humanity that bears the brunt of underrepresentation and misunderstanding.

[Jenna W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close is Fine was a forcefully dark collection, and I mean that in the best way possible. As an avid reader of short stories, and the kinds of stories that leave you feeling a little empty on the inside, Close is Fine was right up my alley. These stories grounded in rural America, specifically small-town Wisconsin, in no way reflected my personal experiences, but Treichel has a unique talent in making his stories relatable. Treichel’s writing is sad and beautiful, and he so deftly maneuvers through nuanced complexities that you’ll need a minute to sit back and think what did I just read?

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.75 stars. An interesting collection of short stories that take place in rural northern Wisconsin communities. The first story, which started the collection, is perhaps the hardest to decipher. The others are easier to understand/follow, however are are honest and raw, and provide an insightful look into the small towns and the people who live in them. If you are looking for a deep dive into WI literature - which is surprisingly rich - then I highly recommend including this read.

[Marlee Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of short stories inspired by the place I grew up. Some are just heartbreaking and will stay with me a long time.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel's Close is Fine is wonderfully written, but it isn't my personal taste. It's an honest glimpse into small rural towns. His characters jump off of the page. From the little girl who tries to save a small mouse to rival Lumberjacks.

[Doug Moak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desolation bears an odd power; it’s as if it holds the secret to how the other half lives, how the desperate make it through the day, and how the regretful make amends. Stories of people in isolation with no way out, of laborers ready to disrupt workflow, and a couple bound for a breakup caused by squalor and infidelity: this could have been a description of The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake, but it’s the stories of Eliot Triechel in Close Is Fine, his anthology of lives lived in the emptiness of rural Wisconsin. Triechel’s characters, from a male perspective, see this desolation from abject poverty to piecemeal creature comfort.
The narratives tend to tack young, from points of view that have a chance at moving on from the gloom that is hemming them in, yet inertia, poverty, and misadventure keep them in place. The lone escapee got out almost sixty years ago, with a furry ticket to fame, obtained through nefarious means. The stories as a whole give a reader the imagery necessary to know what the landscape looks like, how tired its people are from work, and how the frenemies of midwest small towns circle one another on a daily basis. Treichel conveys this convincingly, because like Pancake, he writes from where he’s from.
Like Pancake, Treichel might’ve looked at the same overgrown trees, the same disrepaired houses, and the same rusting cars everyday, and decided to write us a picture. Like Pancake, Treichel routes the slimmest of singularities through some of his stories, and I wished for more interconnectedness between characters of the different stories to cross the boundary of one story’s end, into the next’s beginning.
In Pancake’s case, it was one minor character that met his demise in a roadside ditch running along an Appalachian valley. In Treichel’s it’s the bar that has seen its best days (before a former proprietor sold out and took his meal ticket east) and, thanks to sentimentality, is spared the demise of the bar next door that is scheduled for an immolation for the benefit of public safety—but not before the director of that exercise finds some velcro-tabbed shoes—in white, please: “Black shoes are for dressing up. For big occasions.”

[William York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say right up front that author Eliot Treichel is courageous. Why courageous you ask? For two very good reasons. Firstly, there is his great use of the language and in specific his use of Mid-Western vernacular. Not only do Treichel’s tales ring true, but so does the voice that they are told in. Secondly, Treichel has written a book of short stories. Here in America, the short story has fallen on hard times. It seems that readers here are hooked on multi-volume epic novels such as, Martin’s epic “Song of Ice and Fire.” In Europe and especially in England the short story remains quite popular. I think it takes courage to publish a book that is in a less than popular format.

Anyway, aside from all that, one reads “Close is Fine” because of the quality of the stories. The writing is excellent and the tales are at once direct, personal, heartwarming, and often quite humorous. I would call your attention to one story in particular called “Stargazer.” The Stargazer is a tavern somewhere out in the hinterlands of rural Wisconsin. Mike has a friend named Walters who has placed two old sawhorses in the middle of the narrow highway, and is standing there with his rifle. It seems Walters has set up his own make shift road block, and unsurprisingly says, “there’s a toll now… fifty cents for you and fifty cents for your dog. You come in, buy a cup of coffee, order some breakfast, and I’ll forget about the toll. It’s an off season tax. You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to.” This particular story is mostly about Walter’s and his discovery and adoption of a black bear cub.

“Close is Fine” is filled with many such quirky stories. And even though they are fiction, you can tell that a certain gritty reality lives just underneath the surface of each one. This is a fun book to read. Each of the characters described are vivid and well developed. My recommendation is to just sit back and enjoy.

[Alison McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read each story in Close Is Fine, I came to see how accurately Eliot Treichel paints a picture of small-town life. Being from one myself, I caught glimpses of my own experiences in the pages from the descriptions of small-town high school sports euphoria to the imagery of fields of crops.

At times, the stories even made me uncomfortable, but this is because Treichel is so truthful in his depictions of the ugly sides of human nature. For example, in “The Lumberjack’s Story,” the narrator witnesses how injured pride morphs into a feud between two loggers where no one emerges as winner. In “On By,” the main character refuses to accept the blame for his actions, instead placing the responsibility on his unsuspecting wife: “I believed she was to blame for everything, even my lying to her.” A little girl witnesses someone she trusts betray her confidence by breaking a promise in “We’re Not That.”

Pride, failure to accept blame, and betrayal, even the smallest kinds, are all the sides of humanity we like to tell ourselves we don’t take part in, but Treichel’s stories show anyone can behave in this way from the strongest lumberjack to the gentle, unassuming teacher. These stories show that our dark sides arise when we fail to account for how our actions will affect those around us. Treichel shows the damage we leave in our wake – how we hurt those we care about, and sometimes, even ourselves in the end.

These uncomfortable yet true moments, however, are punctuated with rare, flickering moments of happiness and peace, such simple acts like taking a moment to observe the northern lights or the exhilaration of learning something new. Amid the confusion of life, there are glimmers of hope. Close Is Fine is a brilliant examination of the chaos of life and humanity.

[Terence Brierly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dynamic cast of characters in the short story collection Close is Fine will seem familiar to denizens of small, rural towns across the U.S., but the uncomfortably stark prose of Elliot Triechel dispels any Hollywood-ized notions of bucolic, quaint, and simple living one might have. "Honest" is a word thrown around a lot, but the stories here are as such; men and women struggling (and failing) to associate the reality of living fringe lives with relative ideals of modern society. Treichel's small town world is steadily built, from one story to the next, creating a unique but grating picture of life in the American Midwest. For many, I expect this intricate world-building to be Close is Fine's main draw, as it expertly charts out the expected and unexpected elements of the small Wisconsin town; it's a geography comprised of crossroad bars, strip malls, failing relationships, and desperation. Close is Fine strikes me as an authentic and well-written case study of rural America, and the strong but disparate communities that aren't favorably portrayed in our media. In hindsight, the nine short stories provide a poignant look at the kinds of places where anger and disillusion with the status quo fed right into the 2016 Trump election. Don't pass on this knowing and honest portrayal, and don't be dissuaded by the haters; Elliot Triechel is an author to watch for in the coming years!

[Gloria Mulvihill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reality of being human

Close is Fine is dark, uncomfortable, raw, and and never predictable. The characters, for all their flaws, garner empathy. “We’re Not That” had me tearful, yet angry, and stuck with me long after I had bookmarked for the night. “The Lumberjack’s Story” was utterly fascinating, and a peek into a culture and mentality that I had no familiarity with. “Stargazer” threw me for a whirlwind of a read—I don’t remember the last time a story took me from mildly amused, to heartbroken, fascinated, frustrated, and indignant all in one go. Treichel has a special talent for writing and handling complex emotions in a way that does not feel affected or forced. These stories are not something to read in the warmth and sunshine, these are stories you curl up with in bed and ponder long after the lights have been turned out. Treichel doesn’t hold back, wrap things in pretty packaging, or dumb them down to make them more palatable. He writes reality. He writes humanity. Pick up this collection, and then pick up Maneuvers.

[Leigh Kaisen]

In Close is Fine, Eliot Treichel’s quirky and gritty short stories from small town rural Wisconsin are linked by this stripped-down setting of rivers and taverns, honing in on the people who inhabit this rough and quiet Midwestern landscape. Treichel’s characters are unpretentious and real, and their private, ongoing struggles carry a dejected gloominess in their unusual narratives, yet still invite the reader to want to know the rest. From lumberjack rivalries to animal encounters, athletic defeats to confessions of infidelity, the stories in Close is Fine create an atmosphere all their own. This collection is an intriguing and memorable one, with authentic dialogue and a rawness to its layers of reality. These are the kind of tales that might linger around a campfire or, sometime later, get brushed off and revisited with an odd sort of nostalgia for the Stargazer and the people you once met there.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel’s Close is Fine speaks to the small-town soul in all of us. He transforms from one story to the next seamlessly, and every character he takes on is honest and genuine. Whether the story stars a lumberjack and the conflicts of manhood, or a young girl learning about death for the first time, the reader is completely immersed in the world Treichel has created.

Close is Fine opens a window directly to a rural Wisconsin town, and the action is never far away. Each of the 9 stories thrusts the reader right into the life of one of Treichel’s raw and knowable characters, and it may take a few paragraphs before the direction of the tale is clear. But once swimming along, the range of emotions is wide, and you are guaranteed to leave with another piece of the human experience.

[Julia Skillin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, but it's undeniably well-written. As far as my own personal interest, the stories were a bit hit-or-miss, but they're all intriguing and whether or not I liked the premise of the story consistently became irrelevant as I found myself growing irresistibly curious to find out what would happen next and how it would end.

The slice of life stories range in tone from downright depressing to wryly amusing and Treichel's characters truly shine; they are diverse, interesting, and so wonderfully human. They're likable, despicable, pitiable; their actions and dialogue feel natural. The small-town/rural settings give me twinges of deja vu - I've seen, met, and known people just like these.

All in all, a very good collection of stories.

[C.L. Herridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

ISBN: 978-1932010459

Captivating vignettes of American life. The expectations of youth become the anecdotes of maturity. Treichel's stories read like life plays out; seemingly disconnected moments that we eventually concede to gather together with nostalgia, even though a scant few of them have held the wonderfulness our egoist adolescence assumed would be widespread. These stories put me in mind of a weeded over high school athletic field, or coveralled codgers sipping coffee at a diner counter. The only other book I've read more than once is a Fitzgerald classic, but Close is Fine will join that tiny list.

http://ooligan.pdx.edu/fiction/close-...

[Tenaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treichel's depiction of small-town life is stark and to the point. His writing is clear and his seldom use of adjectives makes them stand out when they do appear. It makes for a quick read, but the stories manage to stick in your mind despite this: The picture of the little girl who doesn't understand why her dad kills the baby field mice; the content teacher who cheats with the dog musher next door; the stoners who are left to take care of their roommate's daughter when he goes to jail. All of these stories, as well as the ones in between, read with a clarity that places you in their world and makes you wonder about your neighbors' stories as they walk by you in the grocery store.

[Maeko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliot Treichel’s short story collection, Close is Fine, is eerily haunting, yet on every level true to life. Set in small-town Wisconsin, the land feels somewhat nonspecific, making any small town you can think of relatable to these stories. The characters are similar to the land and the reader is roped into their experiences of isolation, heartache, unrest, friendship, and family. From bear cub interactions to lumberjack rivalries to broken marriages, these stories are ones you will come back to over and over again—if only to remind yourself of the complex yet universal emotions Treichel so eloquently captures.

[Julie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the Wisconsin Library Association Literary award for 2013, these somber short stories get a faction of Northern Wisconsin life exactly right. If you live here, or just in the Midwest, you will recognize at least one of these characters in this book. My favorite was the title story, 'Close is Fine' about a man with a broken marriage and unfinished projects. The tone of these stories is somber, like a never-ending WI winter. I enjoyed the interview with the author at the end, who said he had to leave Wisconsin in order to write about it.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely well crafted stories centering on the theme that "one can learn from regret." It's light-hearted in the right places, the dark, slightly sickly ones, and cold and chilly as the environment surrounding it when it calls for it. I don't usually dig short story collections--it's my own failing--but I was able to read this in one sitting with great momentum.

[Poppy Milliken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quietly reminds me of the thrill felt when I discovered Raymond Carver. These are not happy stories, but they are real and honest.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, somewhat melancholy, short stories set in rural Wisconsin.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in the world period I guess it is very Wisconsin-ish, but also incredibly bleak. Didn't really move me.