Dig

by Terry Doyle

***DANUTA GLEED LITERARY AWARD FINALIST***

***ALISTAIR MACLEOD PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION FINALIST**

***MARGARET AND JOHN SAVAGE FIRST BOOK AWARD - FICTION FINALIST***

***NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR BOOK AWARDS FICTION AWARD FINALIST***

***2020 RELIT LONG SHORTLIST***



In twelve dialed-in and exceptionally honed short stories, Terry Doyle presents an enduring assortment of characters channelled through the chain reactions of misfortune and redemption. A construction worker’s future is bound to a feckless and suspicious workmate. A young woman’s burgeoning social activism is constrained by hardship and the desperation of selling puppies online. A wedding guest recognizes a panhandler attending the reception. And a man crafts a concealed weapon with which to carry out his nightly circuit of paltry retribution. Through keen-eyed observation, and with an impressive economy of statement, Doyle conveys these characters over a backdrop of private absurdities and confusions—countering the overbearance of a post-tragic age with grit, irony, and infinitesimal signs of hope.

Genres: Short Stories, Canada

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Terry Doyle is from the Goulds, Newfoundland. In 2017 Terry won the Percy Janes First Novel Award and was a finalist for the NLCU Fresh Fish Award. His work has appeared in Riddle Fence, untethered, Leopardskin & Limes, and the Newfoundland Quarterly. Terry's debut short story collection, DIG, is available now from Breakwater Books.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home ❤

As I read through this collection of short stories written by Terry Doyle, I could smell the stories, I could hear the many different voices, I could see the streets, the stores, the buildings, of this island I call home.

Home. ❤

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

See complete review at the following link:

https://www.thepacket.ca/living/book-...

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quintessentially Newfoundland, "Dig" is a collection of stories that explores the complex emotional connections that we all have to our island and the people who live here; to family, friends, hearth and home. It's an exploration of why we leave and what brings us back again. And all the things that keep us here. Each story opens a tiny window onto the inner workings of everyday folk, with characters that we can easily relate to for their innate "humanness." Hardworking people, just making their way, doing the best that they can.

While it is difficult to choose a favorite I will comment on the final story in the collection, "John". It was so poignant and so well crafted; a wonderful ending to an utterly enjoyable read.

[Matthew McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each story in Terry Doyle’s Dig has a page-turning propulsion and, memorably, a nascent, creeping dread on the margins, behind the alleyways and smashed parking meters of downtown St. John’s. Here there is redemption without the promise of security. Each world is self-contained, but the thematic overlap speaks to a greater communal anxiety, an almost choral register—something that might be unique to the human condition under late capitalism, or Newfoundland in its rudderless, unimaginative political mire.

Favourite stories: "Dig," "Squat," "Bawdens Highland," "Cul-de-Sac," "John."

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dig is an exceptional feat of immersive, engaging realism. This is minimalist writing at its very best. Here are perfectly actualized stories of the day-to-day that highlight blue-collar working conditions, family life, and male relationships. Rare and honest insight into the experience of men as they navigate our patriarchal world. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this. Fans of Raymond Carver and Amy Hempel will love this debut story collection.

[Dawn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories live on the cliffs edge of vulnerability and belonging. So artfully written I can hear the rocks falling and feel the longing to jump mixed with the hopeful anticipation that the reward can come without the step away from safety. There are so many true-to-life, vivid examples of the dance we all do to try and prove our worthiness of the connection we want rather than the practiced, safe, mere proximity we often have. Highly recommend! Heart felt and thought provoking. My favorite combo.

[Heather Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories explore structures and consequences of class and loss in the honest and bleak setting of contemporary St. John's. Each story is gracefully wound around moments of clarity that reach out of the book to stare the reader down. Masterfully crafted. This is a book that is surrounded by sleet but clings to the memory of that one sunny day last year. (Because how else to describe an NL book but bring the weather into it.)

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to hear Terry read one of his stories “Cul de Sac” this past fall and that story really affected me, to the point where I knew I had to add this book to my TBR list. I’m just now finding the time to spend on it but honestly I just read a story or two a night. The stories are just like real life. I have travelled to St John’s many times and felt like I was inside the city with the characters.

[K.R. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy at a new school tries to find his place. Two friends avoid a subject while shovelling driveways. A construction worker’s misplaced trust comes back to bite him. Men move from St. John’s to Fort Mac for the money.

Terry Doyle uses keen observation and sharply crafted dialogue to build small, intimate worlds. Dig is a resonant collection of awkward moments, bruised lives, and dim flickers of hope.

[Matthew Hollett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dig introduces a cast of scavengers and survivors who get their hands dirty, literally and otherwise. In this keenly observed St. John's, which seems to be running on fumes, each character's fears, motives and assumptions are gently wrenched from their chests when they aren't looking. Terry Doyle's subtle, perceptive, precisely attentive stories will leave you reeling.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry Doyle's collection of stories takes a peek at the sort of Newfoundland that's never depicted in the ads for tourists, and it's presented here with clean, crisp prose.

[Susan White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Most of the stories left me wanting to read more about the characters, which is my issue with short stories (I'd rather read a novel that wraps up the narrative than a short story that offers a brief glimpse into the lives of the characters). The stories are strongly evocative of place, with the city playing an important role in many of them, and the characters are compelling. I would recommend this book, and definitely read something by Terry again.