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Winner of the 2001
Drue Heinz Literature Prize. The characters in Brett Ellen Block’s debut
collection of short stories may know their destinations, but they don’t
always rush to them. From a runaway on an ice cream truck to a down-and-out
retiree in a porn shop, they struggle to face both their pasts and their
futures. In a series of tightly focused and deftly drawn vignettes, Block
explores the detours, potholes, and speed bumps along the road of life. These
are stories about people at loose ends in their lives, coming to the
realization that they can’t always sit back and enjoy the ride. Whether
they’re committing petty larceny, moping their way through the winding
streets and canals of Venice, or seeking to escape North Carolina’s Outer
Banks, Block’s characters are learning to get behind the wheel and take
control.