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Year Of The Rabbit: A Collection Of Short Stories
Year of The Rabbit is a collection of short stories with a range of genres from fiction, non-fiction and futuristic with the line of reality being blurred between in all.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 21, 2024
A fantastic book of short stories, ranging from non-fiction personal narratives to fiction and sci-fi tales. There is a longing and a wistfulness, combined with despair permeating many of the stories. A lot give room to consider and ponder on long after reading.
The memoirs were among my favorite chapters. Each holding onto little slices of Americana and nostalgic life in the Midwest. Koufeldt's brilliance really shines through his illustrative prose of bygone times.
The memoirs were among my favorite chapters. Each holding onto little slices of Americana and nostalgic life in the Midwest. Koufeldt's brilliance really shines through his illustrative prose of bygone times.
December 17, 2018
Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book. The author has a number of talents--stand up comedy, cartoonist, photographer. I wondered if he was as talented an author has he is in these other areas of his life.
Turns out, he is. It's an excellent read.
I grew up in very small towns, both in Tennessee and in Indiana. Koufeldt captures the spirit of small town America--and their people--perfectly. People that are happy, sad, bitter, joyful, resentful--sometimes all at the same time. Colorful characters that sometimes have us cheering for AND against them. These are the people of this book.
Having spent some of my early years in the foster system, and other times in less than ideal circumstances, I fell like I'm a good judge of a book like this. Stories of people who can see the light even through difficult circumstances. Even though there's a lot to this book, I think at it's heart, it's a book about seeking perfection in an all too often imperfect world.
I'd be hard pressed to name a favorite chapter in the book, but I'll say that The Rabbit of Waverly Hills, Flea Market Lucy, and Fishing and Soda and Pop have all stuck with me, and touched me a very real way.
If you're a fan of anthologies and good, down home storytelling, you're going to like this book. I know I did.
Turns out, he is. It's an excellent read.
I grew up in very small towns, both in Tennessee and in Indiana. Koufeldt captures the spirit of small town America--and their people--perfectly. People that are happy, sad, bitter, joyful, resentful--sometimes all at the same time. Colorful characters that sometimes have us cheering for AND against them. These are the people of this book.
Having spent some of my early years in the foster system, and other times in less than ideal circumstances, I fell like I'm a good judge of a book like this. Stories of people who can see the light even through difficult circumstances. Even though there's a lot to this book, I think at it's heart, it's a book about seeking perfection in an all too often imperfect world.
I'd be hard pressed to name a favorite chapter in the book, but I'll say that The Rabbit of Waverly Hills, Flea Market Lucy, and Fishing and Soda and Pop have all stuck with me, and touched me a very real way.
If you're a fan of anthologies and good, down home storytelling, you're going to like this book. I know I did.
November 12, 2018
Before I begin this review, I feel it important to mention that the author is a personal friend of mine; and that I would never have picked up this book should I not know Jerry. I am not usually one for collections of short stories, unless they are the collected works of sci-fi/horror/fantasy authors that I enjoy, and a collection such as this would only find its way onto my shelves if it was signed by the author - which one copy is....
Jerry Koufeldt's 'Year of the Rabbit' is a surprisingly good collection of short stories. The majority of the book is non-fiction, often personal recollections, but scattered between are the occasional fictional story that breaks what is often a very tragic and heartfelt journey into the author's life. Although some of Jerry's stories are positive, or neutral tales, of life in the Ohio Valley region of Kentuckiana, such as the first story - The Rabbit of Waverly Hills - often they are more tragic recounting of the life events of the author, such as Hamlette which has a most bittersweet ending.
Yet, arguably the best story, and the most tragic is titled 'Eugene Johnson: Tomahawk Man.' This particular story, which is the 2nd in the book, is bar far the most heart wrenching - I found myself very saddened and had to take a break from reading for a bit. And, as if to drive the point home, this is followed by the story 'Seldoon: The Haiku King' and 'Juanita Sunshine' which both have very bitter endings resulting in a very needed soccer game to clear my mind.
Although none of the stories effected me as much as those mentioned above, there wasn't a single story that I did not enjoy. Often, short story collections, or 'true story' collections take me days or weeks to read, but this book may have been finished in only a few actual hours of reading over a weekend. I truly must recommend this book to those who are interested in great stories, and I hope that my friend Jerry Koufeldt continues to write such great work.
Jerry Koufeldt's 'Year of the Rabbit' is a surprisingly good collection of short stories. The majority of the book is non-fiction, often personal recollections, but scattered between are the occasional fictional story that breaks what is often a very tragic and heartfelt journey into the author's life. Although some of Jerry's stories are positive, or neutral tales, of life in the Ohio Valley region of Kentuckiana, such as the first story - The Rabbit of Waverly Hills - often they are more tragic recounting of the life events of the author, such as Hamlette which has a most bittersweet ending.
Yet, arguably the best story, and the most tragic is titled 'Eugene Johnson: Tomahawk Man.' This particular story, which is the 2nd in the book, is bar far the most heart wrenching - I found myself very saddened and had to take a break from reading for a bit. And, as if to drive the point home, this is followed by the story 'Seldoon: The Haiku King' and 'Juanita Sunshine' which both have very bitter endings resulting in a very needed soccer game to clear my mind.
Although none of the stories effected me as much as those mentioned above, there wasn't a single story that I did not enjoy. Often, short story collections, or 'true story' collections take me days or weeks to read, but this book may have been finished in only a few actual hours of reading over a weekend. I truly must recommend this book to those who are interested in great stories, and I hope that my friend Jerry Koufeldt continues to write such great work.
June 20, 2025
I actually have one of the copies of this book that was sent to the courier journal! I'm a Louisville resident so I guess it just got around. I know this because it still has the little note that the author left for them. I have no idea how it got to me, since it was gifted to me by a friend. I just thought that was cool.
Anyway this book was strange in so many ways. Some really disturbing chapters that at the same time felt a little surface-level or obvious in the way they approached sensitive topics. I did like some of the more fantastical chapters. I couldn't always tell where truth ended and genuine experience began, which I can't say I was a fan of either. Some will be though!
Either way I finished it in two days, so some things were done right. I think it was the line spacing. I love big ass line spacing. That final chapter was a cool dream but I fail to understand the point. Maybe I'm too stupid for this book.
Anyway this book was strange in so many ways. Some really disturbing chapters that at the same time felt a little surface-level or obvious in the way they approached sensitive topics. I did like some of the more fantastical chapters. I couldn't always tell where truth ended and genuine experience began, which I can't say I was a fan of either. Some will be though!
Either way I finished it in two days, so some things were done right. I think it was the line spacing. I love big ass line spacing. That final chapter was a cool dream but I fail to understand the point. Maybe I'm too stupid for this book.
December 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book a lot!! I love how each story had a direct tie in with real locations in either Indiana or Kentucky, and sometimes both. Some of these stories sound like they really could have happened. I especially enjoyed the one that took place at the Culver’s in Corydon. Before they built one in Jeffersonville, my family used to drive almost 40 minutes from New Albany to Corydon JUST to go to Culver’s!! I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book that referenced Indiana so much in its pages. Very enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews