So Many Precious Books, So Little Time: Paul Farenbacher’s Yard Sale by Sarah Selecky

Monday, October 11, 2010

Paul Farenbacher’s Yard Sale by Sarah Selecky

This is the first in a series of short story reviews of authors I will be seeing at the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival. The event I will see them at is #64 Short Stories, Varied Voices.

This short story by Sarah Selecky appeared in The Walrus. You can read it here.

The story starts with Meredith, the narrator saying, "Paul Farenbacher always told me, Never call yourself a salesperson. What you do isn’t sales, he’d say. You aren’t in sales. What you are doing is providing people with an opportunity."

Paul was not only her mentor but also her neighbor where she grew up. He gave her, her very first job.

When Paul died, his wife, Margaret had a yard sale because she has sold the house, to move in with her boyfriend Bruce. Bruce attended Paul's funeral with Margaret just two months before the yard sale. Meredith, Bruce, and Margaret's son Trevor are helping with the sale. t is apparent that Trevor isn't too keen on the sale.

The story takes place mostly at the yard sale but the story focus on the characters relationship with Paul. It was a bit quirky but also quite touching. This is a story that I highly recommend.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 12:01 AM