Overview

Where Ordinary Souls Touch Extraordinary Heights Dive into a tapestry of short stories that traverse the spectrum of human emotion and strength. From the vast, barren fields of Texas to the mist-laden alleys of San Francisco, Archuleta paints portraits of souls navigating the challenges that the world presents. Each story stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of everyday people. Witness the bond between an aging cowboy and a ranch cook's young daughter in the heartwarming The Best Good Horse to the haunting remnants of a war-torn psyche in A Prayer to St. Michael. Every narrative pulses with raw, unflinching reality. Experience the fierce fight of a woman reclaiming her power in Imperfections, set against the backdrop of Mexico's treacherous Sierra Madre. Each page of The Best Good Horse bears witness to life's dichotomies-its tribulations and triumphs, its anguish and awe. Through Archuleta's pen, stories that may seem rooted in the mundane soar to profound heights, compelling readers to recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary.

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9781642280777

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Reviews

"The Best Good Horse BookLife Review Archuleta (Rio Sonora) delivers an eclectic collection of stories ranging from the dry farm fields of Texas to the damp streets of San Francisco. Underlying them all are characters as inscrutable as they are relatable-everyday people trudging through their lives, but always with an unexpected twist. Archuleta offers dark tragedies with an edge of innocence alongside seemingly light-hearted stories that pack a hidden punch, and the overall effect is one of uncanny uncertainty, where you never know who will do what-or why. In essence, this collection mirrors on every page the unpredictability of life. In Archuleta's title story, John Westley Thornhill decides to leave the Texan ranch he has worked at for years. As he goes about final formalities, he thinks back to his relationship with the longstanding ranch-hand's daughter, Lucía-a relationship that gives him some measure of comfort as he faces a dismaying medical diagnosis. Like most of the other stories, ""The Best Good Horse"" is extremely atmospheric, steadily building a world from scratch. From the brown earth of the Chihuahuan desert to the intricacies of horses and sorrel, Archuleta draws readers in one sentence at a time, with the layered complexity of his characters adds to the allure, lending the narrative an irresistible intrigue. Readers may find some stories cryptic, as Archuleta favors ambiguity. While he doesn't always offer a rallying climax, his intimate, layered approach creates a deep intimacy with Archuleta's characters: ""She had wrestled with life and never once even thought of trying to dance around it. And this situation with the girls? Yes, she thought, I'll wrestle this too."" Lovers of literary fiction and complex characters will appreciate this collection that is as tragic as it is innocent. Takeaway: An accomplished collection of stories that finds finely rendered characters facing degrees of tragedy. Great for fans of: Larry Brown, Chris Offut."

Author Information

J. Reeder Archuleta was raised in Texas close to the Mexican Border, and five generations of his family are in their final resting place there. His great-grandfather is buried in Concordia Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, within spitting distance of the grave of John Wesley Hardin.Archuleta has authored three books: Rio Sonora: A Story of the Arizona Rangers, The El Paso Red Flame Gas Station and Other Stories, and The Best Good Horse.

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