Fun with Problems Book

Robert Stone's story collection is deep down funny in a very sad way. His characters are mostly high functioning intellectual or artists who have serious drinking, substance and/or mental issues who manage to get themselves into outrageous situations and just when mayhem is about to ensue the other characters reach deep and relieve the tension. Stone's humor seemingly comes out of nowhere. You never see it coming and as a result you can't avoid a belly laugh but these aren't likeable people and you'll work hard NOT identify with them. The characters are users who don't even get pleasure out of using others, even distantly observing what they're doing, owning it but they're so sunk into their sad lives they can't stop……they're apathetic, entropy has set in and they are slowly or quickly doing what they've always done though it's not working if it ever has. They are all of a certain age. What are those lines from Dante, "Midway upon the journey of our life found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been lost." Where is your buddy Virgil when you need him? And someone warn Beatrice not to answer her cell. They need to help these folks FAST.

I love the subtly of Stone's writing, his use of words is utterly unique, his plot elements seem to hinge on the fanciful yet somehow he sets you back down in reality again. The ride is bumpy but still you feel safe.