Title: On Location: And Other Stories
Author: Pam Geiger
Publisher: Sutton Place Press
ISBN: 9798338520260
Pages: 246
Genre: Short Stories
Reviewed by: Margie Przybylski
Pacific Book Review
Pam Geiger’s On Location: And Other Stories is an engaging collection that delves deeply into the lives of its characters, showcasing moments of personal triumph, heartache, and self-reflection. With each story, Geiger presents a unique perspective on the intricate relationships that define life, offering readers not just entertainment, but also introspection.
The narrative voice throughout the collection is poignant and heartfelt. One of the standout qualities of Geiger’s storytelling is her attention to detail – whether she’s painting a vivid picture of the scenic Hamptons or capturing the inner workings of her characters’ minds. The stories are beautifully layered, with emotional depth that resonates long after reading.
For example, in “The Point,” the protagonist Allie’s journey reflects a powerful emotional struggle between her attachment to material success and her need for freedom. After reluctantly selling her dream house, Allie faces the internal battle of moving forward and letting go of the past, something that anyone who has experienced significant life changes can relate to. Her longing to stop by her old house and her emotional reaction to seeing it remodeled by its new owners highlights the human tendency to hold onto the familiar, even when it no longer belongs to us. Geiger skillfully draws the reader into Allie’s dilemma, making her story both compelling and relatable.
Geiger also excels at setting the stage for her characters’ internal conflicts. Her descriptions of places, like the coastal vistas of the Hamptons, serve as both literal and metaphorical backdrops to the characters’ emotional journeys. In “The Point,” the protagonist’s love for her coastal home mirrors her emotional attachment to her past, making the Hamptons almost a character in itself – an entity to be loved, cherished, and eventually let go of.
The pacing of the stories is balanced, and while they are relatively short, they pack an emotional punch. Each story invites the reader to sit with the characters in their quiet moments of contemplation, love, and regret. Geiger’s prose is elegant, her dialogue natural, and her insights into human nature sharp.
Geiger cleverly uses settings, or “locations,” as a storytelling device, a theme that seamlessly unites the collection. Each story unfolds in a different place, offering a fresh perspective with each turn of the page. Every character quickly develops into a new friend, making the book easy to pick up for lengths at a time. From the table of contents onward, the reader is embraced with a reassuring message: you are not alone. The characters wrestle with the universal fears and challenges we all face daily. While many of us fantasize about escaping life’s hardships through travel and adventure, Geiger reveals that no matter where we go, the complexities of life remain constant.
On Location: And Other Stories is a thoughtful and introspective collection. Pam Geiger’s writing is a refreshing reminder of the beauty found in everyday life, the complexity of human relationships, and the personal journeys we all must undertake. Fans of literature which examines the human condition will find this collection deeply satisfying.
