Como Flats

Every once in a while a writer has the wisdom to step outside their front door and realize that each day is story~ with a brilliant cast of characters right in front of them. And so it goes in Como Flats, Mike Dougherty’s debut novel.

Doughety has the ability to see the extraordinary in the Ordinary, because if you look closely enough as he does, the Ordinary is wonderful.

The setting is a ‘rough around the edges’ neighborhoos in St Paul, MN. But you don’t need to be from anywhere near there to appreciate the universal themes brought up in this book.

In one scene, where lifelong friends Max and Lonnie and driving together, Doughtery writes “While driving, two people could talk intensely about intimate subjects with out the need (or awkwardness) to look at one another. So Lonnie could pour his hear out to his captive audience, Max, without betraying the hurt in his eyes.” I appreciate this, as I have the best talks with my young adult kids while driving.

This book is written with the gentle wisdom that comes with the gift of age. Como Flats delivers that with the humor, acceptance, and a healthy amount cynicism.

Cheers!