The Plan of Chicago: A City in Stories

I devoured these stories, each one a gem in which the writer’s invisible hand creates literary magic. Only on a second read did I notice the many apt and beautiful similes, the elegant turns of phrase, the just-right moment. But at first, I was simply immersed in the characters, absolutely believing in them as real people with genuine, messy, troubled lives. It’s not often that a short story can engage me so deeply, but Pearce does so. As a native Chicagoan, I recognize these characters and the neighborhoods where they work and reside; I hear how they pronounce certain words, and I know the foods they eat. Many of these people are good at delusion: they fool themselves into believing something never happened, they deny the truth to their loved ones or refuse to see what is right in front of them. But we can see it, and therein lies the pathos and pang which will linger with you for days afterwards. If you’ve ever only been a tourist in Chicago, read these stories to learn what the real city is like, far from the Magnificent Mile. Highly recommended whether you’re a denizen of the Windy City or not.