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In the past I had attempted to read a rogue T.C. Boyle novel that had somehow wound up on my shelf, and I was unimpressed, bored, and didn’t finish the book. But having received this collection of short stories for Christmas, I felt compelled to at least give it a try. 

And I am so glad I did. Boyle is a master of the short story. The book itself contains sixteen eloquent short stories, each one a fascinating snapshot. The inventive stories are such strange destinations in themselves, it makes you wonder where this author goes in his mind, and his life, to arrive at such strange, occasionally hostile, occasionally wonderful characters and situations. 

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes tear inducing, these sixteen stories range from the scheme that sends a Chilean shoe salesmen in to corruption to the attempts a destitute acrobatic stuntman makes to find true fame. 

While many of the stories are dark satire on contemporary life, many of them are also heartfelt glimpses of existence. And each one is so marvelously written, If the River Was Whiskey is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys the art of short stories.