The Continental Divide by Bob Johnson explores the lives of the rural midwest. Violent ex-cons, free-roaming criminals, and the people who try to love them. But beware – these stories are certainly not for the faint of heart.
Book
Hardly any of these characters have redeeming qualities. But that’s what makes the stories so profound and powerful. While I didn’t expect any of them to redeem themselves or change for the better, the story arcs still captivated me. Here are my favorites among the collection:
- The Continental Divide
- Blue Moon
- Lady Liberty
- Her Precious Things
- The Half Hour
- The Devil’s Age
Review
Johnson shows off his talent for writing flawed yet fascinating characters in The Continental Divide. The very first story sets the tone so that readers will know what to expect from the get-go. Readers will also recognize names among the stories, helping to familiarize them with the sad rural town. I highly recommend this collection for those who enjoy literary fiction with a dark twist.
