What a fabulous collection, what a strong new voice. Lori McNulty’s stories are muscular and visceral, tender and filled with fun even when the subject matter is sufficient to knock your socks off. From the first story, “Evidence of Life on Mars,” you’ll be startled at how well she gets into the heads of her protagonists, whether they are 14 year old girls, middle-aged men, or transsexuals on the cusp. Some stories are beyond unusual. Others are so gritty that they make gritty realism look a bit tame. But all are written with confidence, verve, and a strong sense of how to start a story and how to end one.

For me, a few stories stood out. Both, “Monsoon Season” and, “Fingernecklace,” I’d read previously as they were nominated for Journey Prize in Canada. They do not disappoint on rereading — just as powerful. But equally impressive were, “Prey,” “Last Down,” and the aforementioned, “Evidence of Life on Mars.” I only noticed it towards the end of the book, but “Mars” does get mentioned in nearly every story, I’m not sure why. Some of the other stories that round out the collection are solid without being startling. Yet for a first collection, there is plenty of evidence that Lori McNulty will just continue to grow as a writer. I certainly will be looking forward to whatever comes next.

Recommended. ( )