Alasdair Macleod

A review of the above I found these stories fascinating and extremely moving. Most are serious in tone, but Freadman has great comic touch as well (as in the title story, "High Noon at Starbucks"). His characters are memorably vivid. We see deep into their minds as they face challenges like painful childhood experiences (e.g., the intensely moving "Starting Out"), family dynamics, marital breakdown (see "Switzerland"), illness, and aging. The book has a strong international flavor. Along with five stories set in Australia, there are three set in Florida during Trump's rise to power, and one in post-Handover Hong Kong. The writing throughout is evocative and engaging. Freadman is a wordsmith of a very high order. Alasdair Macleod Architect Melbourne