Kicked in the Head by a Horse by Ronnie Cassano

Human history is peppered with periods of extreme darkness and abject evil, eras of injustice and cruelty that forced people to confront their own morality, and Ronnie Cassano taps into this grisly fodder for his new story collection, Kicked in the Head by a Horse.

These stories criss-cross the globe and leap between centuries, tied together by simmering conflict and characters exposed to crises of faith and times of trouble. From a foreigner battling his way through the brutal violence of Scandinavian culture to a beloved regular drinking away his sorrows and poverty, this is not a hopeful collection, but is instead filled with tragic tales of the human experience, shining a light into corners that many would rather ignore.

Cassano has a slow-boiling style of storytelling, painting visceral scenes and providing a portrait of key figures long before the full context becomes clear. This is immersive writing at its best, captivating a reader’s attention with colorful and eccentric characters, unique snapshot plots, and authentic dialogue, regardless of time period, country, or status in life. The fluidity of language between these stories is an impressive achievement for any short-story writer, yet each tale feels appropriately placed within the larger flow of meaning and message.

While some of the stories stretch longer than necessary, and certain descriptions feel repetitive, the writing is generally tight and evocative, making this a wildly eclectic collection that defies classification and surprises from start to finish.