A collection of nine short stories set primarily in the Appalachian Mountains in rural West Virginia. These stories are about hardship, pain and sadness, as the characters struggle with life, the harsh landscape, and each other. But there's compassion from Benedict here too, along with a keen sense of truth for Appalachia and its people. This book would be excellent for an advanced high school literature class, or a college regional writing course. It also will be appreciated by anyone who wants to read well-crafted stories. (Review by Douglas Wandersee)