Review: Bitter Waters, by Chaz Brenchley

[klwilliams]

Chaz Brenchley hails from Newcastle Upon Tyne near the shores of the North Sea, and the river and sea inform the stories in this collection. From a mystery set aboard a river barge manned by an unlikely group of young men to pirates seeking an island-sized turtle, the salt of the sea mixes with the salt of tears. The character Quin appears in a few of these stories, an educated, witty man who has been struck down with AIDS, who is surrounded by a group of young men who care for him. In contrast is another recurring character, sailor Martin, wise and powerful and dealing with the fate he's delivered.

My favorite story must be "Keep the Aspidochelone Floating", though "In the Night Street Baths" (which uses characters from his "Bridge of Dreams" and "River of the World" novels) was a delightful surprise, and the stories about Quin brought both a tear and a shudder.

This is a powerful, eclectic collection well worth your time.
(5 stars)