Short Stories From Faraway Places by Kevin O’Flaherty is an anthology of four short stories set in four different countries. In The Garden Republic is about the interesting adventures of James, a part-time librarian from New York who has a habit of gambling and took a job in Argentina to build a health clinic. Zabalburu Urkia centers on Liam, an ostracized teaching assistant working in Spain who is also dyslexic. Helping find the mythical lost treasure of the Basque diaspora turns things in his favor. The third story is The Bells of Gloucester about two boys whose relationship is tested due to the problems from their homes and school. But their bond remains unwavering. The final story is Celtic Verde about a disenchanted man named Connor who decides to leave Chicago and go to Ireland. But the process of rediscovering his roots, his Irish background’s values and folklore, and reliving his childhood memories helps him realize things.

Author Kevin O’Flaherty uses direct and uncomplicated language and appealing plots for this anthology. Its relatable characters are people we can empathize or identify with, whether they’re likable or not. The common thread that holds all the characters together is the humanity of their behavior, which reflects familiar human inclinations seen in most of us. The stories touch on themes of perseverance, patience, self-realization, compassion, sympathy, stubbornness, and atonement, which are woven into issues found in evolving relationships, family and work challenges, selfishness, crushed hopes, and regrets. The varied settings use cultural elements like landmarks, mythical treasures, or historical backgrounds with well-written descriptions and details that highlight the uniqueness of a locale and give it a sense of intrigue and awe. Not only does one escape reality through the engaging plotlines, but one is also transported to different locations due to the author's strong sense of place. It enriches literary insight and experience and provides knowledge and perspective about a physical destination even without being there. Short Stories From Faraway Places is recommended for those who appreciate good stories that immerse readers in the different cultures, values, and predicaments of people from around the world.

Short Stories From Faraway Places by Kevin O'Flaherty is a compilation of four original works of fiction, each reading independently of the other. The stories all range in length, tone, and tenor; however, they also all share a common theme of people who are trying to find where they fit in within their respective worlds; their uncertainty driving their stories. O'Flaherty does this by leaning into the universal conundrums of self-identity and belonging. An example of this is in the short story Zabalburu Urkia, where Liam, a dishwasher in Dublin, takes a teaching job in Durango, Spain, despite difficulty with stammering and dyslexia. Working through cultural roadblocks, he has some detractors but does find support from Alba. After recovering from pneumonia, a potential discovery offers the opportunity to help others reconnect themselves.

Kevin O'Flaherty does an excellent job of delivering massively impactful stories with relatively short word counts in Short Stories From Faraway Places. I read my fair share of short stories and can state, hand over heart, that it is a testament to O'Flaherty's skill as a writer that he gives readers completely thoughtful and wholly satisfying stories in the short story format. They are all-inclusive and engrossing. The standout to me is The Bells of Gloucester, which I also found to be the most heartbreaking as it deals with childhood trauma and the divergent paths of two children who are friends. O'Flaherty reminds us of the impact of trust and betrayal, through Johnny and David, with a shock revelation. The prose is often injected with levity, like in Celtic Verde, when an Irish brogue makes a doctor question if it's English. Overall, O'Flaherty wraps all four stories up into an immersive package. Recommended.