A.J. Gallant's book of short stories features powerful and emotionally charged narratives, often set against dramatic historical backdrops. One of the stories introduces Enzo, a courageous 11-year-old Jewish boy living in hiding with an Italian family who renamed him from Ephraim to Enzo to protect him during the Nazi occupation. Enzo harbors a fierce hatred for the Germans, particularly after witnessing the brutalities of war. His defiant spirit is on full display when confronted by a German soldier named Claus, who mockingly offers him a role as a messenger. Enzo’s bold and vulgar refusal underscores his resistance and the raw courage of a child surviving in the shadows of oppression.
The story, like others in Gallant’s collection, blends historical tension with vivid character portrayals, offering glimpses into moments of resistance, identity, and survival. The tone is gritty, direct, and often unapologetically raw, painting a stark picture of wartime realities through the eyes of unforgettable characters.
Another standout story in A.J. Gallant’s collection revolves around an alien race poised to annihilate Earth. The aliens, technologically superior and detached from human emotion, see Earth as a minor obstacle in their cosmic plans. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when the alien commander becomes enamored with one unique human trait—music.
Another poignant and surreal story in A.J. Gallant’s collection follows an elderly couple facing their final Christmas together. Due to declining health and the constraints of the care system, they are about to be separated and placed into different nursing homes—an emotional blow after a lifetime spent side by side.
As they prepare for this heart-wrenching farewell, something strange begins to happen. Wild animals—deer, foxes, birds, even a bear—start appearing at their door, quietly and persistently trying to enter their home. The couple, initially alarmed, soon sense a calmness and purpose in the creatures’ eyes, as if they’ve been drawn there by something beyond understanding.
