Two of the short stories in this collection were selected for inclusion in The Best American Short Stories series. McCorkle, author of three other short story collections plus five novels, is a favorite Southern author from North Carolina. Her works have also been selected as New York Times Notable Books.
In Going Away Shoes, McCorkle writes about characters who oftentimes experience the same common place situations, scenarios, and challenges as the reader. The protagonists, most often female, experience complications from love relationships but ultimately find resolution.
In the third short story, “Midnight Clear” the single mother of two young sons, who are eagerly anticipating Santa’s arrival, notices a horrible smell late Christmas Eve afternoon. A very joyful older plumber arrives on the spot to offer, not only a solution to the rank smell, but also, unknown hope and promise for the future as he relates the happiness he feels with his second wife. What appears as a dismal situation is lightened with unexpected wit. This seems to hold true in many of McCorkle’s short stories. Everyday occurrences and events greet the reader with understanding usually often not imparted with such poignancy and rare humor.
McCorkle will sign Going Away Shoes and read from the short stories on Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30 p.m. This is an event not to be missed.
-Nan
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