Review: Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell

A stark and intimate collection of four stories that explore the bonds of loyalty and the complex relationships humans have with change, Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell is an unassuming but powerful work of contemporary writing.

“Somewhere Sister” is the novella of the collection, detailing the lives of Esmeralda and Esperanza, two sisters living in Yuma with their mother and abuela, navigating the shifting sands of the border as they try to find love and keep their families safe. In a land where wives are quickly made into widows, Esperanza captures the heart of a charming Border Patrol agent, even as she debates leaving for a teaching position in Colorado. When violence spills over from street gangs to the restaurant where Ezzy and Espey work, they recognize the true fragility of the lives they were so hopefully building.

In “Adam and Eve,” two aging characters strip away all the conventions of society and civilization, seeking freedom and happiness in the heart of the desert, while recapturing some sense of joy from their youth. Both philosophical and deeply intimate, the story reminds us that ecstasy is in the eye of the beholder, and the company we keep really does mean everything.

“Encore Collision” is a blast into the past for veteran bandmates who finally get beyond the superficial – four decades into their collective careers. Talent, jealousy, nostalgia, and trauma blur into a rock-and-roll reckoning for Stonecraft as the surviving members navigate the bittersweet chords of grief. Finally, “Genetic Anguish” reveals the chaotic consequences of domestic life when three generations of men suddenly find themselves orbiting each other’s wounds at the nightly dinner table. A reflection on fatherhood and overcoming the failures of the past, this last story of the collection reads as perhaps the most broadly relatable to readers of any age or background.

Throughout the collection, the author’s powers of description are notable, helping readers place themselves in these sharply detailed settings, particularly the desolate landscapes in “Adam and Eve,” the glory day rockstar reflections in “Encore Collision” and the tension-packed house of “Genetic Anguish.” These stories are frequently driven by dialogue, which is authentic throughout, as are the various casts of characters, each of whom makes up a critical part of the narrative, rather than serving as functional or superficial foils.

Though there are only four stories, Russell manages to touch on dozens of poignant themes, from childhood memories and systemic racism to loneliness, regret, grief, and the dynamic power of love. These are day-in-the-life stories interrupted by unexpected opportunities for growth, and the subsequent chance for positive change. Examining how people react to seismic shifts in ways both violent and profound, these pieces are deeply human, not shying away from the frustrating realities of unshed baggage, unhealed trauma, and perennially uncertain futures.

As emotionally charged as the collection may be, these emotive stories would benefit from a final editing pass for storytelling clarity and believability, such as the immediacy of Esperanza’s engagement to Carl, or the sporadically unclear use of pronouns and nicknames that can stall the reading flow. That said, the collection is strong on the whole; Russell has a wide-reaching imagination and a keen sense for human nature, which he has distilled into a subtle yet brilliant work of philosophical fiction.