Descansos: Words from the Wayside

by Susannah Carlson (Editor), Jon Black, D. Dina Friedman

This is a different kind of anthology. One bound together solely by the descanso, regardless of the genre or form of the piece. The poetry, flash fiction, essays, and short stories contained here are as varied as the theme they represent. From San Francisco to New Zealand to Greece, from a soldier saying goodbye to her helicopter to a musician in small town Texas whose life has just begun, to a woman taking supplies to the Water Protectors at Standing Rock, these pieces reflect their authors’ unique takes on themes of grief and love and sudden redirection. – Susannah Carlson, Editor – Wulf Losee, Poetry Editor Featuring Poetry, Flash Fiction, Short Stories, and Essays By: Jesse Sensibar, Terence Kuch, Cate McGowan, Armine Mortimer Tyson West, Richard King Perkins II, Terresa Cooper Haskew, D. Dina Friedman, Frank Russo, Amber Colleen Hart, Brian Morgan, Ivan Faute, Ellaraine Lockie, Kurt Newton, Jon Black, Lita Kurth, C.A. Cole, Kevin Wetmore,Woody Woodger,Diana Brown, Jonathan Ochoco, Teressa Rose Ezell, Nick Bouchard, Fred Zackel, Dave Holt, Nicole Scherer, Nancy Brewka-Clark, Jack Mackey, John Z. Guzlowski, Scot Friesen, Pamela Ahlen, Catherine A. Lee, Mary Silwance, Hal Ackerman, Jackie Davis Martin, Karen Bovenmyer

184 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2017

Reviews

[Nick Bouchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fine little volume with variety styles and genres centered around the theme of the Descanso. Journeys interrupted, coming to the ends of things - often unexpected ends. I'll admit I'm biased, but there's something here for just about everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed having a few dozen bite sized stories to chew through during the scattering of free time I've had this summer.
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To be fair, I should note that of the hundred sixty-odd pages, five are mine. I have added a half star of gloatiness.

[Terresa Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a ghoulish book, an anthology "bound together solely by the descanso, regardless of genre or form." What is a descanso? "Descansos, or roadside memorials, mark the place where a person's intended trajectory unexpectedly ended." It's almost Halloween...enjoy these strange accounts, told as short stories, flash fiction, essays and poetry. I admit I'm a little partial...my own short story, "Living the Dream," is included. BOO, y'all!

[Sarah Beaudette · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, what an incredible idea for a collection. The stories, essays, and poetry here are each beautiful variations on the theme of the descanso, the roadside memorial, the murky transition period of mourning. The editor curated these pieces so wonderfully--a few are genre, many are literary fiction, most read like poignant memoir, but each voice is distinct and beautiful. I liked their immediacy and raw power. I started to list a few favorites, but realized it would end up being the table of contents. Especially don't miss the pieces by Brian Morgan (such a fluid, insightful, honest story about how we're never the kind of friend we want to be), Diana Brown (a fierce, enraging story about a place where precious lives, careers, and a young woman's outlook on the world went up in flames), and Jonathan Ochoco (a hilarious, tender story about a man in a bar plagued by the ghosts of Oscar Wilde and Sylvester, who always seem to be mid-coitus.)