Bits Specks Crumbs Flecks

by Michael C. Keith

Burning thighs? Chilling winters? Got a case of the good old days? Bits, Specks, Crumbs, Flecks is guaranteed to cure your winter, fire dancing, house hunting, tropic weather searching, jealous spouse, bus riding blues.

Bits, Specks, Crumbs, Flecks is prolific author Michael C. Keith's latest short story collection published by Vræyda Literary, Autumn 2015. Both heartfelt and humourous, it brings you on magical tours through parking lots, swerving around tales of spontaneous human combustion, through haunted homeowners open windows and around the smoke-stifled block a few times. Journey back in time with a greaser, figure out why Baxter's house turned into a tropical weather haven and discover what made a man's wife go on a day-spa shopping spree.

Filled with Keith's clever and witty writing style, the short fiction in Bits, Specks, Crumbs, Flecks makes you laugh and think about the wonderful world we call home. And if you happen to find out what tastes like chicken in the process, that's a bonus.

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2015

Reviews

[Jeffrey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about reading Michael Keith’s fiction is that you are always guaranteed a good read. He’s a masterful storyteller and a guru of short fiction. In his latest literary offering, Bits, Specks, Crumbs, and Flecks he doesn’t disappoint. There’s both a quirkiness and dark side to the short fiction in this collection which makes this collection all the more enjoyable to read. Having read most of Keith’s works, I’ve always been in awe at these short snippets of life he shares with us. One of my favorites in this collection is “Fifties Man” (Parts One and Two). I like how an ordinary character is thrust into an extraordinary situation, in this case, the 1950s, which might not be too extraordinary for someone who lived through the decade, but for Emil Barry, it soon will be extraordinary and perhaps, even a little frightening.

I am reminded of a quote by legendary author Ray Bradbury which sums up my feelings about Keith’s fiction: “And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is gift and a privilege, not a right.... So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.” That’s what happens when you read one of Michael Keith’s collections. His fiction helps us to cope and perhaps understand a little bit more of this crazy world around us.

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hodge podge of stories; unfortunately, for every clever and witty story, there was another that was incomplete or fell flat. Quantity from a good author does not always equate to quality. I would read this author again, but would prefer a novel where there is more focus.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a good book of several short stories. However, while there were a few really good short stories here, many of them just did not grab me. Some of the humour I just did not find humorous.

I received this book for free through Goodreads first-reads.