What We Build Upon the Ruins

by Giano Cromley

[lovelybookshelf]

I'm already a fan of short stories, but this collection in particular stands out above so many I've read. Not only was I fully engrossed in every single story (I read the book straight through!) but the stories are laid out in a thoughtful, almost meditative, way. One family's story returns throughout the collection, continuing on and ahead as best they can, just as all of the book's characters do.

These are people stories. Stories about families. Their conflicts and their tragedies, how they work through their challenges and losses (or avoid them), how they get stuck, how they push forward, how they love their lives and each other. What We Build Upon the Ruins will stay with readers for a long time. Highly recommend.