Problems with People: Stories

by David Guterson

A new couple's first night together is overshadowed by a decades-old story of a lost love. A man takes a two hour walk across Kathmandu to visit his estranged wife in hospital in midst of a Maoist strike. A man accompanies his Holocaust survivor father on a trip to his German city of birth. A newly diagnosed dementia patient misses his last opportunity to see his youngest son. A family is forced to sit through a dinner-time account of the death of their teenage son as their food turns cold on the table. And an unexpected and tender friendship develops between an ailing man and his dog walker.

In Problems with People relationships solidify, crumble and are forged anew. These ten sharply observed stories are imbued with David Guterson's signature gifts for characterisation, psychological nuance, emotional suspense and evocation of the natural world. By turns funny, thought provoking and deeply moving, Guterson deftly taps into the sadness, beauty, joy and complexities of our everyday lives.

• ISBN10: 0385351496
• ISBN13: 9780385351492
• Publish Date: 3 June 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Knopf Publishing Group
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[lovelybookshelf]

Originally posted on my blog, A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall:

The stories in Problems with People are ten snapshots of relationships, connections, human experiences, life. This collection explores how we relate to each other and how we perceive ourselves and those around us.

By far, I found "Shadow" to be the most memorable of all ten stories. A newly diagnosed dementia patient attempts to visit his youngest son. This experience causes him to shift from defiance in the face of his diagnosis to acceptance (and maybe resignation). It's difficult to watch, but Guterson's sense of style and atmosphere gently places a thought in the back of your mind: This happens in real life.

That reminder holds true in each of the stories in Problems with People. Whether it's the husband going to great lengths to try to connect with his estranged wife, the budding of an unusual but sweet friendship, or the parents hearing an account of their son's death, Guterson momentarily puts readers into someone else's shoes in a way that brings you out of each story with a little more insight, a little more compassion.

3 1/2 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.