Review: Scar Tissue-Seven Stories About Love and Wounds by Marcus Sakey

To start, I first have to thank Jen from Jen’s Book Thoughts for introducing me to the phenomenal writing of Marcus Sakey.  The Chicago Tribune has referred to Sakey as “the new reigning prince of crime fiction” and I won’t disagree! His writing is known to be honest & gritty.

Ok, on to the review!  In Scar Tissue, Sakey provides his readers with seven very different short stories in ebook format.  What I found stunning while reading this anthology was that none of the stories felt like short stories.  Each seemed to be extremely well-developed, the characters clearly detailed.  Following are a few of my favorites:

“The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away”

The main character is Nick, a  soldier.  Vivid descriptions of war-time life pull you into the story:

“And the funny thing is that it’s the aftermath that the fear really hits, as you realize it was just chance that their vehicle was in front; not strategy or fate or a plan, just chance, a matter of which driver pulled out first.  That difference between life and death was measured in feet and in seconds.  Fear burst the door of its basement cage and seized you and didn’t let go, not then and not since.”

At the conclusion of this short story, I literally had to take a deep breath and step away. I literally felt like I was walking in Nick’s boots, feeling his feelings, thinking his thoughts.  Quite haunting, really. It doesn’t surprise me that this short story was nominated for multiple thriller awards.

The Days When You Were Anything Else

The first sentence reads:

“She calls me sometimes. Late at night, drunk or worse.  She calls to say she hates me.”

Sakey launches us into a gut-wrenching, emotional telling of one father’s relationship with a daughter who refuses to stop punishing him for his crimes.  He’ll stop at nothing, sacrifice everything, to gain the love of his daughter.

Gravity and Need

Ever wonder just how far love will go? After a serious car accident, the main character is paralyzed.  Prior to the accident, his relationship with Pamela was new, fresh, and very physical.  After the accident, things changed.

“Take the phrase, ‘I need you.’  There was a time those words might kick off a romp that could get us arrested in some states.  We said ‘need’ when we meant ‘want’….It was only after the accident that I learned what ‘I need you’ really means.

I need you to tie my shoes.

I need you to drive me to work.

No. Please. No.

I need you to help me off the toilet.”

He’s stated his relationship with Paula is all or nothing. Despite the stress & pressure his injuries have caused, neither of them want a divorce.  So, Paula gives the ultimate sacrifice…

The stories I mentioned are just a few of my favorites.  The other stories are excellent as well. They made me laugh out loud, shake my head in amazement, and sit in stunned silence.

Whether you’ve read Sakey’s work or not, I can’t recommend this short-story collection enough.  For those who have read Sakey before, consider it a taste of things to come. For those who have not, an appetizer before a long, several-course meal.