K.H. Cumiskey

Tsepeneag creates a fantastical world from the remnants of a society as it flows into modern Europe. Readers interested in the human story beyond the factual history of the dissolution of communism and those interested in the creative process will enjoy this novel.

The characters in all of these stories wrestle with fame: some have it but don't want it or don't appreciate it, while others who don't have it desperately want it. The result is an engrossing, complex, and humorous work that reminds us we're all connected, even though we often don't notice it. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/10.]

These stories are mostly about misunderstanding and dissatisfaction. As imperfect as language is, Blatnik suggests, it's our best hope for connecting with people. The title—expressed as a question in one of the stories, it clearly implores hope—declares that true human connection is within our capacity. Readers who actively participate in Blatnik's imaginative process will be richly rewarded.