© Antaratma Microstock Images © Elena Ray | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Paucity emerges as a theme for this week’s reading; insufficient funds in the  spiritual bank account that allows for human connection.   Perusing two highly acclaimed story collections and one literary magazine this week: Pulse, by Julian Barnes, Tenth of December, by George Saunders, and Carve, Spring 2013.

•  “Storm in a Teacup”, by Dan Powell, Carve

A good example of magical realism, the literal storm that builds in a small teacup mirrors the emotional lives of the regulars at the Tea Cosy, which sits in a stained part of High Town, UK; evocative and fun.

• “East Wind”, Pulse, by Julian Barnes

Vernon ventures into foreign territory when he begins a relationship with a mysterious expat. Unable to let well enough alone, he repeats a pattern that broke up his first marriage. This story is all the more interesting when Andrea’s past is revealed. 

• “Sleeping with John Updike”,Pulse, by Julian Barnes

The nuances of a personal and professional friendship are revealed as two writers on tour compete with each other. Barnes sustains a lengthy dialogue between the women, device that is his forte. He has some character-revealing delicious lines:

Every few years she drew a line under what had gone before and declined further responsibility.

• “Al Roosten”, Tenth of December, George Saunders

Poor Al; blessed by neither nature nor nurture, he comes up short when he compares himself to others. No amounts of bravado or self-pity can ever even the score for downtrodden, dog-kicking Al—he roosts in false pride that gives his poor soul little cover.

• “The Semplica Girl Diaries”, Tenth of December, George Saunders

When drunk, Dad confesses that rich people make poor people feel dopey and inadequate. When sober, he laments that he has fallen so far behind and wonders if he will ever catch up withh the Jones). This sci-fi story strikes a nerve in anyone who has ever taken a walk in a posh neighborhood and been bitten to the quick by envy. Semplica girl is an author invention. I wouldn’t be surprised if the term makes its way into our lexicon.

• “Home”, Tenth of December, George Saunders

Saunders gets inside the head and heart of a soldier returning from service in the Middle East. The war was not good therapy for this angry young man. The emotionally charged ending challenges us to face a new reality. Angry young men sent to war did not used to come home. Now they do, and they wreak havoc.