I have read almost everything Lily King has written. She is a fabulously gifted writer, and this collection of short stories far exceeded my expectations. King gives a high school teacher credit for teaching her what a short story should be. Well, she has it down to a science. Each story has at least one memorable character, and the rising action, climax, and resolution are achieved with grace in each.
Many of King’s characters are writers, and many are well-read. She loves to “name drop” titles of classic books and includes an assortment of literary allusions. I particularly enjoyed the many first-person narrators; I found them intriguing, and they added relatability to the characters. Additionally, the setting for many of King’s stories is New England, where I lived for forty years.
I particularly liked the stories where adults build relationships or struggle with relationships with young children. These included “Waiting for Charlie” and “South.” “Creature” also focuses on child/adult relationships but is far more disturbing. I also like when King delves into the privileged world and includes some insight into those who belong to country clubs and employ servants. “Creature,” “When in Dordogne,” and “North Sea” make insightful statements about class and culture. Also included in this collection of short stories are “Hotel Seattle,” “The Man at the Door,” “Timeline,” and “Mansard,” which introduce mysterious characters who interfere with seemingly innocent love stories. Finally, the title story, “Five Tuesdays in Winter,” is a touching love story that highlights family relationships and emphasizes King’s ability to create memorable characters in a tightly written short story.
