Just got the Raven Dance: Stories of Northwestern Ontario today. I was struck by the cover, a blurry raven sitting on a winter branch, bluish snow in the background. Okay snow is white but if you live in northern Ontario, you know that the shadows on the snow are often blue.

John Pringle is a gifted short story writer who has published three other books of short stories and won many awards for his work. So I jumped right into the book, and started with a strange story, Closing the Gap.  We follow Thomas, a drifter through life who talks to strangers and often sings to them.  The story has a mysterious but believable flair, and you stay with the twists and turns of Thomas's life while at the same time admiring his philosophy 

Next I turned to The Money in the Wall. Many of Pringle's stories feature young adventurous boys and the two lads here plunge into adventure and possibly revenge from beyond the grave. 

I am off on my own adventures, bird watching and visiting friends out West who want to explore some of the local mysterious places. The Raven Dance will accompany me. 

Books area available from the author at jpingle@nwon.com.