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Reviewed by Robert A. Groves for Readers' Favorite
Seeing Sunny Again is a collection of Americana short stories by Paul Clayton that explores many issues. Among them are memory, loss, family, friendship, love, and resilience across different eras of American life. The stories range from coming-of-age experiences in mid-century Philadelphia to wartime Vietnam, troubled romances, family tragedies, and reflections on aging. The characters are often ordinary people facing key life moments that readers can easily empathize with. Three stories illustrate the collection’s range. In “After You’ve Gone,” following the sudden death of a friend’s father, a young boy struggles with grief and all the confusion that surrounds it. Against the backdrop of the historic Hindenburg disaster, “In Something Coming,” an orphan’s friendship with a troubled companion throws him into a moral crisis. Finally, the title story, “Seeing Sunny Again,” is nostalgia at its best about a rebellious camper whose humiliation and eventual redemption leave a lasting impression on a young narrator.
Reading this collection of tales, Seeing Sunny Again: American Short Stories, made me feel nostalgic. The selections in this anthology cover different stages of the life cycle. Paul Clayton’s masterful storytelling made the lives of ordinary people feel extraordinary. It was easy to connect to his characters. His writing is so clear and descriptive that I was able to easily visualize the settings. The stories did not feel overly done while still allowing for strong emotional impact. The characters’ situations and experiences will be relatable to a wide audience. I think the author did a great job of showing how memories can stay with people and shape who they become over time. This collection of 17 stories can be easily binge-read or spread out for long-term enjoyment. I would recommend Seeing Sunny Again to future readers who enjoy realism. Well done and very much enjoyed.
