A Life in Tales

<p>Drama on the Soviet border displacement a runaway horse and a sleigh ride across virgin snow; much of<em> A Life in Tales</em> plays out against the changing landscape in Ukraine over recent decades. A young idealist marries the daughter of a Ukrainian refugee and is overawed as he sees the USSR for the first time and observes the post-Soviet changes before the schism with Moscow leads to the Russian invasion.</p><p> </p><p>Ambush in the Namibian mountains and a double shooting in Ethiopia also feature as do readily identifiable stories of friendship and family tensions.</p><p> </p><p>David Roberts employs vivid description keen observational skill and wry humour to evoke key episodes and characters from his life. Though not always the chief protagonist he is ever-present.</p><p> </p><p>Love loss longing and belonging are the key themes of this collection of sensitive short stories that make up an evocative memoir. </p>