Father Brother Keeper

This moving debut collection examines complicated family relationships in the rural American South. A majority of the stories are set below the Mason-Dixon line and several take place in or around Sparta, Ga. The book is unified by a theme of sons and daughters succeeding their father. In %E2%80%9CA Map of the Watershed," Jim is developing dementia. After his estranged daughter, Callie, comes back into his life, he suffers an episode that endangers Callie's three-year-old twin girls. The story concludes with a small but emblematic gesture that shows Callie accepting the impending role of caregiver for her father. In %E2%80%9CThe Strength of Fields" a son is pushed into a fatherly role when his father abandons the family and runs to Florida. The young protagonist must become keeper of the family. Dramas in Poole's compilation feature skilled characterizations. In the title story, memories of Micah's father give the character depth, providing insight into Micah's decisions and his interactions with his brother, Issah, and sister-in-law, Elsie. %E2%80%9CAnchor Tree Passing" chronicles the history of the Shockley family and their pecan grove. These details shape the conflict in another story, %E2%80%9CSilas," between James Warren Shockley and his son, who is caught running naked through the grove at night. This is a fine collection, rich with symbolism and rhythmic prose. (Feb.)