What I appreciate most about this collection of stories is that it is completely in the realm of the ordinary, the everyday. These stories do not mention political, social, or economic ideologies. Those are the divisive issues, the things that get in the way of understanding, that hinder dialog. Some say the personal is the political, but that is another kind of politics. These stories reference the backdrop, the day-to-day struggles with crumbling infrastructure — finding a public telephone that actually works, dealing with irregular bus schedules, and trying to get leaking water pipes fixed and potholes filled in; with economic constraints — finding ways to grow your own vegetables and herbs or raising animals for meat, tricking your way into "another year of breakfasts with milk" in your food rations, finding workarounds with limited access to water, and dealing with a leaking old house when you don't have the resources to fix it; and with bureaucracy--getting through to the right department(s) to get something fixed, finding clever ways to move when you can't sell your house, organizing an 'informal' visit of a government minister, and dealing with the side-effects of all of the above when the inspector comes to check out your place of work.
This collection of stories of ordinary people's everyday struggles under trying circumstances was frequently humorous, sometimes frustrating and sad, often inspiring, and at least once enraging. Closed for Repairs is a collection best read in little chunks, one or two stories at a sitting. They sink in best that way. There's much to reflect upon, and they are as memorable as if told by your own family around the dinner table. A great read!
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!