Synopses & Reviews
Fiction. Pauls Toutonghi's first collection of short stories reveals that he is a master not only of form, but of emotional and colorful tales that range in subject-matter from Houdini's 1908 escape from handcuffed submersion in the Seine to the intertwining of a grandfather's story of death in the trenches of World War I with Picasso's discovery of a friend's suicide. "There is at once a wonderful depth and playfulness in Pauls Toutonghi's stories. They are erudite and experimental, always entertaining. I like the complexities of time and space, the allusions, and the way the stories open unexpected windows on history and individual lives"--Robert Morgan. Toutonghi is a former Fulbright scholar and was awarded the Pushcart Prize in 2001.
Review
"I would recommend this book to anyone. In fact, I already have. These quirky stories are a pleasure to read. One of the strongest first collections I've seen." Jay Parini, author Benjamin's Crossing, and Robert Frost: A Life
Synopsis
- Houdini's 1908 escape handcuffed from submersion in the River Seine.
- A day spent in the fish markets of Riga, Latvia.
- Love at a late-September baseball game at Fenway Park.
- A young boy struggling to survive in Cairo during World War Two.
These are some of the stories featured in Pauls Toutonghi's debut collection,
Live Cargo. Always willing to take risks, and always entertaining, Toutonghi's stories will surprise you with their love of language and attention to specific detail.
About the Author
At 27, Toutonghi has emerged as one of the most innovative young writers in the American literary marketplace. Born to Egyptian and Latvian parents, Toutonghi informs his writing with his unique cultural heritage. A fluent Latvian speaker, Toutonghi has been awarded a Fulbright Grant for study in Riga.