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Elephants in the Room
Elephants In The Room is award-winning author Charlene Wexler’s latest collection of short fiction and essays examining life, love, and the tragedy and comedy of the human condition.
Whether she is tackling fiction or essays, Charlene Wexler writes from the heart. With a keen eye for detail and a way of looking at the world a bit sideways, Wexler’s writings in Elephants In The Room will entertain while they make you think.
In Elephants In The Room, Wexler’s fiction and essays are grouped in five categories.
Coming of Age features essays and fiction about growing up and reaching some of life’s milestones—whether you are ready or not.
In Family and Friends, you’ll meet some of the fun characters in Wexler’s life and in her fiction, and inevitably you’ll think about similar loved ones in your own world. The story “Elephants In The Room,” from which the title of this book is derived, appears in this section.
What would life be without our animal pals? Wexler shares some stories about four-footed friends and loved ones in Animal Magnetism.
The Passing Parade features Wexler’s fiction and prose observations on the changes in our fast-paced world.
Senior Moments contains Wexler’s wry, humorous, and even serious observations on the mature years.
After reading Elephants In The Room, you’ll see why Wexler’s books and short stories have won multiple awards. Her style makes you feel as if you are reading about or talking to dear friends.
Elephants In The Room is Wexler’s second collection of fiction and essays published in book form. The first, Milk and Oranges, won several awards.
Elephants In The Room is a collection of stories that will pluck at your heartstrings and tickle your funnybone.
Whether she is tackling fiction or essays, Charlene Wexler writes from the heart. With a keen eye for detail and a way of looking at the world a bit sideways, Wexler’s writings in Elephants In The Room will entertain while they make you think.
In Elephants In The Room, Wexler’s fiction and essays are grouped in five categories.
Coming of Age features essays and fiction about growing up and reaching some of life’s milestones—whether you are ready or not.
In Family and Friends, you’ll meet some of the fun characters in Wexler’s life and in her fiction, and inevitably you’ll think about similar loved ones in your own world. The story “Elephants In The Room,” from which the title of this book is derived, appears in this section.
What would life be without our animal pals? Wexler shares some stories about four-footed friends and loved ones in Animal Magnetism.
The Passing Parade features Wexler’s fiction and prose observations on the changes in our fast-paced world.
Senior Moments contains Wexler’s wry, humorous, and even serious observations on the mature years.
After reading Elephants In The Room, you’ll see why Wexler’s books and short stories have won multiple awards. Her style makes you feel as if you are reading about or talking to dear friends.
Elephants In The Room is Wexler’s second collection of fiction and essays published in book form. The first, Milk and Oranges, won several awards.
Elephants In The Room is a collection of stories that will pluck at your heartstrings and tickle your funnybone.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2016
35 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 22, 2016
Each chapter of this wonderful read covers a different era in time, taking an in-depth look at the every-day lives of a group of people from that era. Starting off with teenage girls wishing their boyfriends were as handsome as President Kennedy, followed by the shock of a nation when the president is assassinated, prepare yourself to be transported back in time to where the proper behavior of men and women in the 1930’s will have you shocked, raising an eyebrow or agreeing that things were so much better back then. The excitement of young men who are ready to serve their country, with most never to return, will draw a tear. Girls getting dressed to the nines so that they can outshine each other at an Elvis, Easybeats or Peter, Paul and Mary concert will bring a smile. Prohibition will either give you a sense of relief or annoyance. Regardless of what year you were born, Elephants in the Room is sure to stir up some incredible memories of moments in time which you may or may not have forgotten.
Most of us remember where we were and what we were doing when significant events took place, whether it be putting a man in space, news of a president or legendary singer dying or even a girl’s or boy’s night out. Charlene Wexler has combined an excellent style of novel-writing with the history books and has presented it so vividly that it is like watching a modern-day remake of Back to the Future on film.
The memories which this book has stirred up inside me have brought about conflicting feelings – not about the book itself but of the happenings in my own history since I was a young child. Watching those moments brought back to life while interacting with the people of that era was a wonderful way to reminisce about days gone by and I am sure I will be reading this book again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed Elephants in the Room and recommend it to history-buffs who enjoy being transported back to the days that shaped us all, making us who we are today.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
Most of us remember where we were and what we were doing when significant events took place, whether it be putting a man in space, news of a president or legendary singer dying or even a girl’s or boy’s night out. Charlene Wexler has combined an excellent style of novel-writing with the history books and has presented it so vividly that it is like watching a modern-day remake of Back to the Future on film.
The memories which this book has stirred up inside me have brought about conflicting feelings – not about the book itself but of the happenings in my own history since I was a young child. Watching those moments brought back to life while interacting with the people of that era was a wonderful way to reminisce about days gone by and I am sure I will be reading this book again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed Elephants in the Room and recommend it to history-buffs who enjoy being transported back to the days that shaped us all, making us who we are today.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
April 9, 2019
Elephants in the Room is a collection of stories. Each story has a touching storyline and develops through the length of the story. It is divided into five sections- Coming of age, Family and friends, Passing Parade, Animal Magnetism and Senior moments.
The characters are all real and lively. Charlene Wexler has connected with the readers through the effortless writing style and realistic story lines. Author takes us through the lives of several relatives and friends that we all have. The stories are quirky, touching, relateable and haunting all at the same time.
While some stories are easy reads, some are deep and thought provoking. Nonetheless all the stories are invariably high literature.
October 24, 2016
Reviewed by Ben Green for Reader Views (10/16)
I was genuinely excited to check out “Elephants in the Room” by Charlene Wexler, for the most part, because collections of short stories in book form are rare these days, and I always wonder why so few people try to write them. “Elephants in the Room” is a collection of well over 40 short stories. The stories appear to be chronologically ordered, and cover topics and events from the different stages of life. It seems they are based primarily on the author’s life, though it is sometimes hard to be sure.
Wexler’s experience and ability as a writer is clear throughout each story. The writing is superb and the book is well organized. It is clear the author put some serious effort into the writing and the actual book itself. The cover has its own well-done artwork and the production value of the book alone is obvious. All of this makes the review of the actual subject matter even harder, because even though Wexler abilities are clear, the content is somewhat lacking, at least for anyone who is not yet a senior citizen. I don't mean that some younger folks won’t find something of value in the book, but overall there is very little that would be relevant. The stories are mostly just stories. Something about the book felt constantly familiar, but it took me quite a while to figure it out. The writing style and stories themselves reminded me of the stories I would find in Reader’s Digest as a kid. This was a nice nostalgic feeling, but ultimately I would expect to find stories like this on a blog and not in a book.
Other than the Reader’s Digest explanation, the best way I can sum up this collection is that this is a book best suited for family and friends of the author as a fictional collection of shared history. In that context, the book ultimately succeeds, mostly because Wexler really is an excellent writer. Beyond that “Elephants in the Room” may find a scattering audience among die-hard short story fans, a few grandparents, and those who enjoy the wholesome story telling style of Reader’s Digest. Overall, I give “Elephants in the Room” by Charlene Wexler 3 out five stars, since the writing and book quality are exceptionally well done and it clearly is a labor of love.
I was genuinely excited to check out “Elephants in the Room” by Charlene Wexler, for the most part, because collections of short stories in book form are rare these days, and I always wonder why so few people try to write them. “Elephants in the Room” is a collection of well over 40 short stories. The stories appear to be chronologically ordered, and cover topics and events from the different stages of life. It seems they are based primarily on the author’s life, though it is sometimes hard to be sure.
Wexler’s experience and ability as a writer is clear throughout each story. The writing is superb and the book is well organized. It is clear the author put some serious effort into the writing and the actual book itself. The cover has its own well-done artwork and the production value of the book alone is obvious. All of this makes the review of the actual subject matter even harder, because even though Wexler abilities are clear, the content is somewhat lacking, at least for anyone who is not yet a senior citizen. I don't mean that some younger folks won’t find something of value in the book, but overall there is very little that would be relevant. The stories are mostly just stories. Something about the book felt constantly familiar, but it took me quite a while to figure it out. The writing style and stories themselves reminded me of the stories I would find in Reader’s Digest as a kid. This was a nice nostalgic feeling, but ultimately I would expect to find stories like this on a blog and not in a book.
Other than the Reader’s Digest explanation, the best way I can sum up this collection is that this is a book best suited for family and friends of the author as a fictional collection of shared history. In that context, the book ultimately succeeds, mostly because Wexler really is an excellent writer. Beyond that “Elephants in the Room” may find a scattering audience among die-hard short story fans, a few grandparents, and those who enjoy the wholesome story telling style of Reader’s Digest. Overall, I give “Elephants in the Room” by Charlene Wexler 3 out five stars, since the writing and book quality are exceptionally well done and it clearly is a labor of love.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews