Borders and Boundaries

by Bill Pieper

Set on both sides of the long, lonely border between present-day northern California and Nevada, this collection of ten linked stories reads like a novel. Woven throughout are traditional western themes like gold mining, horses and fire lookouts as well as less traditional ones like opioid abuse, computer hacking and college admissions fraud. Joining a cast of characters who don't necessarily like each other, but who come to need, and even to love each other, you'll visit a world you really won't find anywhere else.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Anthologies

Paperback

First published March 15, 2020

About the author

Bill Pieper, who lives and writes in Sacramento, California, has been a Sierra rat, a desert rat and a Pacific Crest Trail hiker for much of his life. More recently, he has used his Spanish for travel in Guatemala, giving rise to three stories that earned an editor’s choice award from Red Fez magazine and have been issued as a Kindle book titled Guatemala Triptych.

Bill is also listed as a notable alumnus of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers. His work has received Pushcart Prize nominations and a national award from Scratch Writer magazine. Over thirty of his stories have appeared in The Front Porch Review, Chiron Review, Corvus Review, Blue Moon Review and elsewhere. In addition, Bill has two novels in print, Belonging (2006) from Comstock Bonanza Press and What You Wish For (2011) from Pacific Slope Press, as well as the two story collections, Forgive Me, Father (2014) and Borders and Boundaries (2020), both from Cold River Press.

For more infor mation, see his webite below or his Facebook page, Bill Piepr - Fiction and Facts

Reviews

[Shey Saints · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
Borders & Boundaries is a collection of interconnected stories by Bill Pieper. Set in the modern day of rural northern Nevada and northeastern California, this book contains ten short stories that tackle familiar western themes such as gold mining, wildfires, train-hopping, and more. It’s a book that reads like a novel, though each story can stand on its own.

Review
This was beautifully crafted! I’ve never read an anthology where the stories are linked together, so I was amazed at the flow of this narrative. It was just like reading a novel! Love the setting and the nostalgic mood it brings, the flawed characters which many readers can resonate with, the vast range of subject and themes and the intrigue they carry, and most importantly, the emotions that these ten stories evoked as if I were also part of their story. Overall, I’m giving it 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers who are into anthologies.

[Harvey Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of Pieper's books. He is a master story teller. The characterization of the people in his books is remarkable. It is obvious that Pieper deeply researches and/or visits the geographical areas he writes about. His descriptions of building, locations, the natural environment, and the like are vivid and memorable. And the stories he tells, including the ten he has in "Borders and Boundaries," are riveting. They hold your interest through twists and turns and, sometimes, in their surprise endings. Some of the stories in "Borders and Boundaries" are about people who are in trouble or are troubled. Pieper knows something about human psychology all right. And boy can he write about it. I am totally convinced that "Borders and Boundaries" easily merits five stars.

[Harmonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything like this - a collection of stories that are linked together. This was refreshing despite the gravity of the situations that the main character on every story is dealing with, I actually found this book enjoyable because I like learning, and this was very informative. Definitely a 5-star read!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that each story can stand on its own and yet, all the stories are connected. An interesting flow of narrative! I think what resonates with me the most is the fact that the characters are dealing with different sorts of things and just trying to survive in life like most people do in real life. This was a realistic novel that many will learn things from.

[Lee Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can say so many things about this book because it was really good. But I think the strongest point is its hook. It's very intriguing that I couldn't put the book down from the beginning. It's also very refreshing to read a book that's a collection of stories but reads like a novel. And the best thing about it is that each story can stand on its own. This was a very interesting! Loved it!

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me a lot because the stories are interconnected and yet each story can actually stand on its own! It was nice to read about different topics and the many situations that a person could go through. Reading this book was a good escape from my worries. It’s a book that reminds us we can’t have the worst situation ever. There's always someone who's dealing with something worst.

[Elisca Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the characters in this collection of stories that are interconnected have strong personalities. It's fascinating and intriguing. This was a well-depicted anthology about wildfires, train-hopping, gold mining, and more. Highly recommended to readers who are into anthologies. Definitely a 5-star read!

[Dorothy Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 10 linked stories in Bill Pieper's Borders and Boundaries work well together and singly. The characters are engaging, and the depiction of the small towns, gorgeous vistas and rugged terrain of northern Nevada and northeastern California bring the stories to life. Highly recommend.

[Juwoodsideaol.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! the stories link together and provide a peek at life in the 'back hills' of California. Interesting characters who get themselves in all sorts of situations due to good and bad choices.