cover image Triquarterly New Writers

Triquarterly New Writers

. Triquarterly Books, $52 (198pp) ISBN 978-0-8101-5057-7

This anthology, compiled by the editors of TriQuarterly Books, is an attempt to bring to the attention of a wider audience 10 diverse writers known mostly to readers of literary magazines. The 33 poems and stories here aren't the strenuous fare one might think, but instead light stuff that might be read in the park or on the subway without too much time or strain. The main problem is that most of the stories and poems presented are of the slice-of-life variety, and simply because an experience is written down, it does not necessarily make for a moving tale. Despite all attempts to present this compilation as otherwise, it is extremely reductive. The single exception available is William Loiseaux's ""The Greenskeeper,"" by far the only significant piece. The point of the collection ultimately seems to be to keep a vapid grin on the reader's face. This is an easy, unchallenging read and little more. (June)