I love interrelated short stories. I say this every time I read a collection of them, and yet I am often surprised by how much I enjoy them.

(Other great collections both Jhumpa Lahiri collections, Shakespeare's Kitchen, Olive Kitteridge)

I am also surprised by how sad most short stories end. They are beautiful and tragic, like a flower that flowers and then dies....tragically. Maybe that's just me, it is a generalization.

I loved loved loved this book. I don't believe I've read something so well crafted in awhile. It was almost perfect except for the epilogue at the end. I thought it was a completely unnecessary addition to an otherwise perfect book. It made me think Rachman couldn't help but bring clear resolution to his stories. It made the ending weak to me. I thought it was perfectly closed by the last story and the epilogue was superfluous.

Not every character is likable (I almost didn't keep reading because I didn't like the first character so much), but the author manages to propel you into this story of unlikables and make you care, or hate, but feel nonetheless. Feel for everyone.

In the end there is an interview between him and Malcolm Gladwell and the author states that "writing and reading is a sort of exercise in empathy". I've never heard that sentiment before, but I have felt it and know it to be true.

I wish I was this talented. To make you care about such unlikable people.

I highly recommend this book.