Croatan
Midwest Book Review by Laurel Johnson
August 24, 2006
Doug Frelke deserves every award he's won, and more. This Pushcart nominee writes with a vitality that left me breathless. He says this latest offering of short stories is about love in all its nuances. The rhythm of his work varies from story to story. Some are disturbing as an irregular heartbeat in the night, others potent, pleasing, or haunting. Still others crackle with a shattering intensity that raises goose bumps. With Croatan, Frelke has hit his stride and joined my list of top ten favorite writers. I'll provide a brief thumbnail of each story, just to whet readers' interest.
"Imagining Delores" is hopeful and endearing. Adele, a Nigerian widower, molds his persona into what is a tolerable escape from loneliness and sorrow.
"King Bullfrog and the Swan" is a delightful parable that demonstrates some relationships aren't wrong, just a little out of the ordinary.
"Eyes to Stars" is a troubling view of modern society. Love and desire don't exist in the star-filled heavens, but in the baser confines of Earth.
"The Boy With Very Sharp Teeth" is a touching parable bearing a powerful message: To be loved, accepted, and appreciated for who you are can be a blessing greater than riches or possessions.
In "Wedding Reception" we learn that a family's history is not always written by the winners, but by those who accept each other's frailties through sad and happy times.
"Ghost Train" revisits haunting, seductive, metaphorical, ghostly memories of youth, trains, and love.
"Waiting for the Green Flash" is a story Frelke admits to laboring over for years without finding a satisfactory conclusion. Well, he's completed it here. Some seekers see the green flash, others don't. Meanwhile, the Universe grinds inexorably, exacting penance or delivering rewards.
"Little Monkey Heart" is touching, poignant, and a refreshing reminder of life's meaning. What defines us as people? Love? Accomplishments? Or being happy where you are.
In "The Bull of Salzburg" we meet Stephen, a broken man barely scraping by in Austria. If tourists want experiences that border on the kinky, weird, or profane, Stephen's their man. But his unusual services have been delivered at a cost.
"My Favorite Fairytale" is just that – a fairy tale for realists, with a delightful twist.
In the title story, "Croatan," ghosts live in the piney woods. Grandma's divining rod leads her grandson on a chilling chase.
If you appreciate memorable stories masterfully written, Croatan is highly recommended. Cover art by Staci Sawyer hints at the book's content -- dark and haunting in the shadows, hopeful and encouraging in the light. Frelke, Sawyer, and Press 53 have presented a fine package here for your enjoyment.
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Whiskey Nipple by Doug Frelke
Midwest Book Review by Laurel Johnson
Sometimes I just know from viewing front cover art what the book content will be. Press 53 and Doug Frelke chose the ideal cover for Whiskey Nipple. The surreally appealing painting by Wolff, "Goddess of Killarney," accentuates the unusual title; both title and cover portray the book's content to perfection. One critic lauded Frelke's sparseness of prose. To me, this writer's prose is not sparse but rather whittled precisely to reveal frayed nerve endings, shattered synapses, and raw imperfections in his characters. Like Wolff's primordial art, Frelke reveals the essence of humanity hidden in these eight short stories.
My advice is to put aside all preconceived notions of life, death, love, and human interaction while reading Whiskey Nipple. Frelke's characters, like his stories, are skillfully crafted and unforgettable. His voice as storyteller alternately stuns, soothes and shocks. Let this writer lead you into his surprising shadow world. And when your scalp tingles or you're stricken with a haunting sense of deja vu, don't be surprised
