Author: J.B.Bergstad
ISBN: 978-0-615-28406-4

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J.B. Bergstad, author of Screwing the Pooch is not shy when introducing the macabre into some of his diverse collection of seven short stories. Although several of these stories may be too difficult of a pill to swallow, they nonetheless do compel us to take our medicine. All character driven, five of the seven stories resonate with cruel and sinister elements involving bullying, rape, death, violence, brutality, murder, and alcoholism, attributable to the darker side of human nature. You may conclude, after reading the collection, that Bergstad uses too much overkill, nonetheless, you could never accuse him of being mundane, dull, and ho-hum, as his stories suck you in and hurtle you towards chillingly ghastly climaxes. What is more, Bergstad is not afraid to imagine wildly or to assume that you will follow him down a bizarre and every so often, a frightening path.

In Milton’s Pickle, the tale revolves around the theme of bullying and how it affected a seven-year old, Milton Sonntag, who not only has to contend with an older Phillip Tanner but also the suicide of his father and a unhappy mother. The Puppy Murders is about a teenager with a huge ego, who has no qualms lying to his friends in order to enhance his position. Unfortunately, this behavior inevitably leads him to commit an act that he was ill prepared to pursue. The Brass Rail is an exploration of alcoholism and its miserable repercussions as well as the callousness of drinking “friends,” who fade away when it really counts most. The subject of Rot Like Me is date rape and murder ending with some very wacky scenes. The Dear Daniel story is a father’s confession to his son, who is a medical doctor, with regard to a horrendous act and the shame that has haunted him throughout his life. The two other yarns have more of a feel-good ending. This is particularly in evidence with BearClaw at the CoffeeMaker involving a blind man appearing to be a bum who falls in love with the owner of the café. The last of the narratives, Hank Straker, SA deals with spousal loss due to cancer and the difficulty of trying to pick up the pieces.

In the end, what makes this collection memorable is their wide range of subject matters and their diversified tones. In addition, Bergstad has a sharp eye for the outlandish as well as a keen ear for dialogue. He also knows how to draw character and even inject some dry humor into his yarns, as he draws his scenes with the skill of a more experienced writer. Moreover, in certain instances, the stories are filled with thought provoking moral dilemmas that demand discussion, which makes them all the more highly entertaining. 

Click Here To Read Norm's Interview With J.B.Bergstad

 
Click Here To Purchase Screwing the Pooch