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Theft

N.S. Köenings
Back Bay Books (2008)
ISBN 9780316001861
Reviewed by LuAnn Morgan for RebeccasReads (4/08)

N.S. Koenings offers a variety of styles in this collection of short stories, with each one having a slightly different theme.

The first story, “Pearls to Swine,” is about a woman who looks back on what she considers to be a huge mistake she made. Celeste is proud of her home and wishes to invite people to visit. Her husband Gustave, however, prefers a more solitary lifestyle. She decides to invite two teen-age girls to stay at their home for the summer. One of the girls is from a “privileged” background -- in fact, she is Celeste’s goddaughter -- and the other is from a home for troubled girls.

Of course, the girls become fast friends and exclude Celeste from their relationship, causing her to feel lonelier than before they came to stay. She begins spying on them and finds out more than she wants to know.

The author demonstrates the prudishness often found even today among those who feel they are better off than others, not only monetarily but morally, as well.

In “Wondrous Strange,” Koenings introduces us to a group of would-be psychics. They meet every Thursday night and dabble in séances and channeling. When one of the newest members is possessed by an African spirit, it sends the group’s leader into a tizzy and she accuses her of faking it. The other members believe her, though, and they set out to do what the spirit tells them to.

Demonstrating how powerful friendship can be, Koenings paints a wonderful picture of loyalty and love with this story. Watching these ladies band together to help one another reinforces the ideas of devotion and caring.

“Theft,” the title story of the book, is about a young woman who demonstrates her independence by setting off on a trip alone. She has been enjoying herself more than she ever imagined when the bus she is riding on is robbed during the night. While the passengers slept, all their luggage was stolen. The ticket boy (or tout) helps her find a place to stay and his story runs parallel to hers throughout the tale.

This story shows the reader that there a theft does not always involve material goods. Our innocence can be stolen, as well.

The fourth tale is titled “Sisters for Shama..” The reader meets a man who was banished to the basement of the house where he lives. An invalid accused of improper motives toward the boy of the house, he must spend his days confined to bed.  His only entertainment and companionship is when Shama comes down to bring his meals and talk. They become friends, in his eyes, and he looks forward more and more to her visits.

He begins to tell her stories, leaving off in places that will entice her to return soon to hear what will happen next.  It’s a story of jealousy, abandonment and dysfunctional relationships.

Finally, love is tested in “Setting Up Shop” when Zulfa gives Masoud an ultimatum. He already has three wives and wants her for a fourth. The difference this time is that he is 100 percent in love with her.

Zulfa, on the other hand, doesn’t really want to marry. She has dreams of traveling … by herself. She wants to visit faraway lands and see the world, especially the United States.
Tired of Masoud’s persistent attempts, she tells him she will only marry if he gives up his other wives and his children.

Her plan backfires when he agrees to her terms.

This is truly a tale of “be careful what you ask for.” Well-written and fun to read, the reader will find it difficult to decide who to sympathize with.  Koenings has truly demonstrated her grasp of writing with this collection of stories. I truly enjoyed reading about all these characters and liked each of the tales for different reasons.

This writer also leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusions as the stories never quite have a definitive ending. I found myself imagining what happened next to each of the characters. I will be sure to recommend “Theft” to my friends as I’m sure they will enjoy it, as well.

 

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