Kevin Wilson’s short story collection features a wide array of characters and situations. My favorite story in Baby, You’re Gonna Be Mine (2018) is “Wildfire Johnny” where the main character has an item that allows him to go back in time 24 hours. How he uses that power will surprise you.
The title story, “Baby, You’re Gonna Be Mine,” opens with a phone call to Gina from her son, Adam, her only son. “All of our equipment got stolen, Mom.” Adam is in a struggling band and now he’s coming home to live with his mother. Very awkward.
Kevin Wilson can also creep the reader out with a story like “A Signal to the Faithful” where a young boy, Edwin, passes out during his role as altar boy during a Mass. Edwin is approached by Father Naylon to assist at the funeral mass for his beloved Aunt at a rural town in Kentucky. The priest convinces Edwin’s mother to allow Edwin to travel with him. Despite his fainting problem, Edwin accompanies Father Naylon on the overnight journey with some dire consequences.
Kevin Wilson writes quirky stories that explore the strange aspects of Life and Love. If you’re in the mood for some bizarre stories full of dark humor and surprises, give Baby, You’re Gonna Be Mine a try. GRADE: B
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Scroll through the weapons — 1
Housewarming — 21
Wildfire Johnny — 39
A visit — 83
A signal to the faithful — 109
Sanders for a night — 147
No joke, this is going to be painful — 165
Baby, you’re gonna be mine — 183
The horror we made — 217
The lost baby — 235
Acknowledgements — 271
Liked his novel, NOTHING TO SEE HERE.
Patti, I have Kevin Wilson’s NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC on my Read Real Soon stack.
That does sound quirky. I ordered a copy. I was about to say I don’t know him, but then I remembered. I read his THE FAMILY FANG years ago.
Jeff, I’m impressed with Kevin Wilson’s short stories. I plan to tackle one of his novels soon.
Thanks for that reminder, Jeff.
I thought The Family Fang would be my kind of book but, even after repeated tries, I couldn’t get into it.
This sounds interesting but I’m kinda out of short story mode right now. Maybe I’ll grab a Ray Bradbury collection to get me back in the mood.
Beth, you can’t go wrong with Ray Bradbury!
My reaction was that I don’t know anything about this author, and it is true that I have not read anything by him. But when I looked him up, I do recognize his books. He may be too quirky for me, but maybe I will try something by him someday.
Tracy, sometimes I’m in the mood for quirky.
He’s one who got completely past me, so thanks for the pointer!
Todd, Kevin Wilson’s work is worth a look.