The latest short story collection by Steve Almond.

The Somerville News

March 17 2005

‘The Evil B.B. Chow.”

Doug Holder

“The Evil B.B. Chow” by Steve Almond. ( Algonquin Books 708 Broadway New York, NY. 1003) $22

 

In all the books I've read by Somerville writer Steve Almond,  ( “My Life in Heavy Metal, and Candyfreak), most of the protagonists yearn for human connection. They yearn despite their posturing, their well-studied ironic distance, and their outwardly jaded approach to life. Almond has always been a scholar of romance; with all its complexities and infinite variety. In his new collection of short stories: “The Evil B.B. Chow,” Almond explores contemporary relationships in our “all that sizzle but too little steak” society.

In the title story, “The Evil B.B. Chow,” a young woman who has been burnt by too many cads in her past, manages to drop her well-honed defenses for a seemingly awkward but endearing young Asian doctor. In this passage Almond describes the woman’s giving into a seemingly genuine moment of despair the young doctor shares with her about the loss of a little girl in surgery: “I’m sorry,” he sobs. “I’m so sorry.” And now I can feel myself throwing the last anchor of discretion overboard, giving into the pleasure of giving in, of tending to his tears, his hurt, his deep want of love...what he is offering me, what his tears offer, is the deepest measure of love: unfettered access to his emotions.” Shortly after this the woman finds out that doctor is a charlatan in the game of love. In a heart-wrenching passage the duped woman licks her wounds: “I’m weary of moving through life in this way, punished for my capabilities, betrayed by the glib promises of love. I’m weary of managing these disappointments. I’m weary of my body’s gruesome tick.” Here Almond really is a fly-on-the-wall on this woman’s brain. I hands down believe in the authenticity of her voice and feelings. Almond pulls this off where a lesser writer might have made it stilted or maudlin.

There is another sad/comic story that has a great conceit and execution “ Wired for Life.” Here another young woman in the throws of a personal crisis, throws herself at a middle-aged Chinese computer repairman. The way Almond describes the repair store made me think it was a dead ringer for the one I frequent on Beacon St. in Somerville. In this unlikely pairing of yuppie and repairman there is a surprising spark of connection. Almond leaves you wondering if you should laugh or cry at the end.

I also enjoyed the descriptions of Boston and the local environs peppered throughout the book. Here is a right-on description of the first day of spring in Harvard Square: “ It’s the first day of spring and the streets finally smell again: tar and garbage, sesame, a sweet old perfume. Everywhere, the righteous folk of Cambridge are strolling the polleny avenues, letting the breeze sift their hair. Not even the punks around the T can muster a decent rage, just bits of loud theatre, and Harvard Yard seems almost bearable in this mood, rid of its suicide. Students are draped across one another, unbearably young, auditioning for sex in chunky shoes.” If you have been in the Square, then you know Almond’s been there.

This is a fine collection of short stories by a top shelf Somerville, Mass. Writer.

Doug Holder