Ohh but these were thought provoking and twisty! I love these short story collections, something to read while waiting, while at lunch, before bed. It can be hit or miss with the quality and consistency but these hit the mark. Some were very short but still had an impact, and a couple downright gory. I kind of liked those best, especially The Gladiator.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Pardonable Offense is a collection of short stories.
with any collection, there were some mediocre reads in there.. but i have to say the last two stories were... .. crazy. They were the reason this book is getting the high review it is. I won't go into detail to give away the stories, but they are dark, twisted, and oh so interesting.

These short stories were so good that I was sad when they ended. The author's dark humor was what made this book 5 stars. It was definitely a unique read. I am going to read more from this author in the future.

A collection of short stories by a new author to me. Yet Andrew Lafleche is an award-winning poet and author of seven books. This is one of the many pluses of NetGalley and I was pleased to receive an ARC for a fair review.

Being short stories it is a good way into hearing the voice of a new writer and gauging their style and ability. This author has a great deal to offer. His turn of phrase and vocabulary lift the stories into something special. There is a dark humour and a poet’s soul also let free.

The first 8 stories; just over half of the book show the quality of work, revealing his original take on things and demonstrating a fresh and oblique look at subjects others keep at arms length. You sense Andrew gets down and dirty in social / philosophical ideas and norms. Turning over stones and breaking away the bark to reveal what others wish were kept hidden and unspoken.

However, although I’d happily read these first 8 again there was nothing too memorable or special to lead this review to its dizzy heights.

The last 2 stories now read, levitate this work to an interesting place few books are shelved.

A pardonable offence, story number 9, is like some sex offender’s wet dream. A real struggle to read myself, being a father with two daughters. However, the writing offers clarity where otherwise in the silence only stereotypical views remain. It perhaps shows under age sex from the older man’s perspective, not in terms of justification, but as a complete theft of innocence. It is powerful and uncomfortable to read.

Finally Therapy the last one seems to bring together these unthinkable subjects through the outpouring of crazy but intelligent arguments of a patient to his therapist.
Almost like a confessional experience in church.
In a monologue style the story goes to places you cannot imagine, he tells all, simply believing there is no point in lying if he wants help going forward.
The revelations are at times homicidal, an apology for violence and mass killings, each insight beyond shocking, just stomach churning, totally horrific thoughts.
Instead of reading it, if it was being spoken to you as the counsellor - you would fear for your life.

It is a hard read but as before it throws light on subjects people rarely engage around; news items people condemn, ascribing non-human attributes to perpetrators and liberal values to those that support them or fail denounce such acts.
Headlines, worse then the last atrocity. But quickly forgotten, a flashbulb moment that blinds reason and allows the issues to be swept under the carpet. We all see the bump in the rug but have no vocabulary to talk about it. We cough up trending views but fail to have conversations. We’re sprouting slogans not resolving problems. ‘Tougher gun control’ , ‘arm the police’, ‘ hand out tougher sentencing’, ‘let’s castrate sex- offenders and so on.

Interesting the speaker in the final story says:

“Sometimes it’s hard to see the picture when you’re standing in the frame.”

More poignantly also says:, “But see. This is what I am talking about; nobody ever has conversations remotely close to this even though I’m sure the must have thought it. Nobody has the nerve to say it out loud.”

Thankfully this author has the nerve to write it down. I would expect as many to be outraged by this book as to give rave reviews. Perhaps they don’t read to the end.
Like an Old Testament Prophet we would do well to listen to this author; he writes for more than his own cathartic need, his voice cries out and holds society to account.

A solid three stars from me, which translates to, "I liked it."

This book is cringe worthy, but in the best way possible! Though I would recommend this read to a fellow psychology buff or colleague at the police department, I would not suggest this book to the "average Joe." This book is definitely for a specific audience. Dark humour is my jam so I found many a story to enjoy in this collection.

Pardonable Offence is yet another collection of short stories that I have been exposed to thanks to NetGalley. Previously, I did not read many short stories, but I have really struck gold on this site, especially when stumbling upon authors such as Andrew Lafleche.

This is a very short book of stories. They were very well written. But the majority of them are not my cup of tea. Sorry.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.