THE WOMEN
THE WOMEN, a short story collection by Sommer Schafer, tests women in everyday situations in which the challenge requires a unique, and sometimes fantastical, approach. In 'Mary and the Machine,' the main character desperately usurps a comfort meant exclusively for her newborn. In 'My Little Pet,' the main character finds an unusual and mysterious creature on her doorstep one morning who initially seems to offer her the love she has always desired. In 'The Women,' a women-only book club takes a bloody turn, and in 'The Trappings,' a new mother finds herself and her toddler lost in a wild Alaskan forest until stumbling across a cabin hiding in the woods.
THE WOMEN, a short story collection by Sommer Schafer, tests women in everyday situations in which the challenge requires a unique, and sometimes fantastical, approach. In 'Mary and the Machine,' the main character desperately usurps a comfort meant exclusively for her newborn. In 'My Little Pet,' the main character finds an unusual and mysterious creature on her doorstep one morning who initially seems to offer her the love she has always desired. In 'The Women,' a women-only book club takes a bloody turn, and in 'The Trappings,' a new mother finds herself and her toddler lost in a wild Alaskan forest until stumbling across a cabin hiding in the woods.
THE WOMEN, a short story collection by Sommer Schafer, tests women in everyday situations in which the challenge requires a unique, and sometimes fantastical, approach. In 'Mary and the Machine,' the main character desperately usurps a comfort meant exclusively for her newborn. In 'My Little Pet,' the main character finds an unusual and mysterious creature on her doorstep one morning who initially seems to offer her the love she has always desired. In 'The Women,' a women-only book club takes a bloody turn, and in 'The Trappings,' a new mother finds herself and her toddler lost in a wild Alaskan forest until stumbling across a cabin hiding in the woods.
Praise for THE WOMEN
The stories in Sommer Schafer’s debut collection, The Women, are both engaging and mind-bending. Each story features a different woman, and the author effectively uses magical realism to enhance our understanding of the characters. The narrative tone tends to be objective and detached even though the action is often emotional and occasionally violent. In addition to their mesmerizing drama and painful depictions, several of the stories read like allegories with deep messages embedded in the narrative, such as the emotional experience of keeping a pet, the desire for group acceptance and fear of rejection, and the machine-like routine and draining effort of caring for a young child. Through exquisite prose and balanced narrative, these stories treat us to new perspectives and understanding. A fun and rewarding read.
—Terry Tierney
About SOMMER SCHAFER
Sommer Schafer is senior editor of The Forge Literary Magazine and widely published. She lives in Northern California on Coast Miwok land with her family, a rescue dove, and a bearded dragon. This is her first book.
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Genre: Fiction (Short Stories)
ISBN: 978-1-956692-80-8
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
