Review: Like a Champion by Vincent Chu

by MK French

Like a Champion is a collection of eighteen short stories about average people at different moments in their lives. The description for the collection notes "that moments of glory can happen when we least expect it," but don't think of this as the geeky kid getting a spectacular three-point shot in basketball. Yes, "Squirrels" does include literally that moment, but that isn't the point of the stories. It could be something smaller in scope, a victory that no one else might understand or know about.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

February 2018; 7.13 Books; 978-0998409269
ebook, print (238 pages); short story, humorous

Characters are painfully ordinary here. I'm not sure if there are any stories that I absolutely fell in love with, but a number of them did resonate.

In "Fred from Finance," Fred is the quiet man that wants so badly to belong, yet somehow can't seem to find a way to do it. At the same time, he can't turn into the same kind of double-dealing facetious people he had worked with.

In "Boom Town," Carlotta is in a strip mall boxing class working to exorcise her demons.

"Recent Conversations" is told via text messages, with two people trying to make a connection even as they're afraid to. George of the title story is trying to sell off the inventory in the failing business he inherited in the midst of a rash of thefts. There are no champions per se, but he knows the value of the ephemera and geek-friendly rare items and is able to come out from under the shadow of his uncle.

These are small victories, but even small victories in ordinary lives can still be celebrated.

Buy Like a Champion at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.

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