Glimpses Paperback – October 4, 2014

GLIMPSES by Jim Hartsell…..This book reminded me a lot of Truman Capote’s A CHRISTMAS MEMORY; not because it had anything to do with Christmas or fruit cake or an Indian named Mr. Haha. Because it’s eleven GLIMPSES of life in America—well written and dealing with issues anyone of us could face on any given day.What do you do when a madman walks into your church and starts blasting away with a shotgun? I remember when that happened and apparently Jim Hartsell was there. What do you do when you and your fiancé attempt to arrange your wedding with a minister and he does his best to tell you marriage is a big mistake? What do you do when a very large and mentally disturbed man walks into your home and doesn’t want to leave?Get the answers to those questions and eight more when you read this delightful collection of short stories. 5 stars.

Short stories you will long remember. True events in the author's life, sometimes small, sometimes major, told with clarity and honesty. I found them all poignant and fascinating. Jim Hartsell is a very special writer in a class of his own.Cheryl Peyton, author of cozy mysteries featuring Alex Trotter.

Very good book to take you back to a time gone by. His stories reminded so much of my family. You would enjoy this book.

Jim Hartsell brings his sensitivity and empathy into every page of this warm and touching work.Insights into loneliness, and love, and quiet despair left me touched and sobered and subdued.Powerful and real.Marilyn Smith Neilans, author of "Saying GoodBye to The Iris Lady."

Very poignant glimpses into the best and worst of human nature, told with spare language, but deep feeling. Nicely done.

usually I don't like short stories that much. Younget thrown into a situation get to know the characters and then it oftentimes has an open ending. I am really not up for open endings. I feel somewhat left alone. But this book is different. Every single story or moment described in this book is beautiful. Some are truely bad memories and not enjoyable moments that are described, but somehow the author manages to give every story it's own beauty. You can feel the moment. You also have your questions about what else happend. The story needs it's time to sink in before you can move on to the next. Still I read through the book way too fast and was sad it had ended and there werr no more glimpes left to be shared with me.I think this is a brilliant way of writing down memories. Keeping them and sharing them. So maybe some people condering to write an autobiography should let themselves be inspired by Jim Hartsells work.I can just recomend to take some time and read this book. A glimps at a time.