The Bull and Other Stories

Physician, public-health leader, fiction writer and journalist Michael Fine's latest,   and superb, book, The Bull and Other Stories, displays his already celebrated  mix of  empathy tempered by an almost clinical realism; close observation of his characters' emotional, psychological, physiological  and socio-economic circumstances, and their often contradictory values, all informed by his intimate study  of American  society and his acceptance of the ambiguities of  memory.

His portrayal of his characters' hopes,  fears and confusions displays his deep understanding of how so many of us -- especially those marginalized by poverty, illness and bigotry -- live today. But Dr. Fine also impressed me with his acute observation of nature, be it forests, fields, flowers,  the weather or non-human animals.

And there's plenty of suspense! Will the beast charge, will the tree fall on the forester, will the crazy woman stab her captives, will  somebody shoot, will the demonstration turn dangerous? (There are some potential movies in this book....)

Dr. Fine is a major writer.

-- Robert Whitcomb, president, The Boston Guardian, columnist for GoLocal24.com and former financial editor of the International Herald Tribune.

Michael Fine’s world is not fair but it is full.  His characters are not beautiful but they have dignity. In this rich collection of stories we meet immigrants and youth, elderly and laborers - all grappling with life as it is; full of societal conflicts, pressing pain, small graces, fleeting wonder and occasional hope. To read about them is to read about us.
-- Chris Koller  President The Milbank  Memorial Fund

 The short story may be the most difficult of all fictional genres. In The Bull and Other Stories, Michael Fine, already a writer of great distinction, demonstrates he is a master. From first sentence to last, this collection is a rare delight.
 -- G Wayne Miller, Author and Providence Journal reporter

 "The Bull and other stories, Rhythmic with a jazz cadence, poignant ,timely and timeless, vivid detail but above all Michael Fine is a storyteller and a damn good one at that."
-- Bert Crenca, Artist, Founder of AS220 

“Michael Fine’s short stories rivet our readers in his monthly Sunday morning columns. We can imagine them sitting there with their morning coffee pondering the obvious and the not so obvious life dramas that Michael writes that capture you from the beginning, to the very end.”
—Nancy Thomas, President of Tapestry Communications; Co-Founder and Editor  RINewsToday.com