A collection of classic Russo stories, this is my fourth Russo book – with six more to go that are on my bookshelf. He has quickly become one of my favorites writing about love and misinterpretation, childhood memories through the eyes of adults, missed moments, and shared intimacies are just some of the ingredients that make a Russo story one that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading the book.

I particularly like ‘Joy Ride’ told through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy when he and his mother escape their lives in ME to drive to CA. Not to escape an abusive spouse but one whose biggest annoyance was carrying a washer in his mouth ‘like a life saver’ that he would stick out from time to time. His peculiarities are what finally sent John and his mom on a trip across the country. It wasn’t until years later that John’s mother told him the truth of the trip – that she knew the trouble John was getting into, the crowd he was hanging out with that had such a hold on John that he was heading down a path that was sure to send him to reform school.

Another favorite was the final story in the book ‘The Mystery of Linwood Hart’. A ten-year-old boy, Lin, a child of separated parents, finds himself in the middle of feuding parents and an overly friendly coach who, as Lin’s dad observes, is interested in Lin’s mom. As Lin finds his place on the baseball team, that despite his fear of the ball catches the winning out in a game, he also finds his place in his family, not siding with one parent over another but accepting the changes that happen when two adults live and love together.

I rate “The Whore’s Child” 4 out of 5 stars

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