Resurrectionists

by Russell Working

Eight stories deal with a teenager practicing martial arts, a photojournalist's encounter with zombiism, a paper mill worker, and a hospital patient on New Year's Day

182 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1987

Reviews

[Rem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight great short stories. Published in 1987, Russell Working's Resurrectionists was recommended by my college writing professor, who promised a unique and illustrative read--that it was, and today it reads as thrilling, fresh, and shocking as I remembered.

At 26--only slightly older than I was when I first read his book--Working was the youngest winner of the Iowa School of Letters Award for Short Fiction, which is, believe it or not, one of the more prestigious literary prizes in America. In Resurrectionists, eight stories deal with a teenager practicing martial arts, a photojournalist encountering familial Haitian culture and zombiism, a paper mill worker, epileptics, and a hospital patient on New Year's Day. With his understated approach, Working is convincing in his portrayal of a harsh and often violent side of life. Beyond the sometimes surreal characters and subjects, what sets these stories apart is Working's vivid and visual sense of place. Working creates settings and scenes that almost become characters in the stories. This was a breakout discovery for me in my writing journey. To writers and readers of highly original short fiction, I definitely recommend you discover or rediscover Resurrectionists.

[Stephen Rynkiewicz]

Amnesia lends mystery to the opening story "Charis" in the former Chicago Tribune reporter's writing from 25 years ago. But in truth all the stories in his atmospheric Iowa Short FIction Award collection involve characters in search of a clue.