I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A unique blend of humor and tragedy comes to life as author Mary Paula Hunter turns years’ worth of performance art into short stories in the collection “Can I Have a Hug First?”

The Synopsis 

CAN I HAVE A HUG FIRST? is a short story collection born out of author Mary Paula Hunter’s career as a performance artist. Her monologues turned short stories feature midlife adults struggling to align their crazy minds with an equally crazy world. Hilarious and tragic in a high energy mix, these stories will get the reader questioning what came first— the whacked mind or the whacked world?

The Review

What a powerful and memorable read. The author establishes a tone of humor and realism in the narrative of each story very early, showcasing the haunting realities that so many women have to face on any given day and how some people cope with those realities. The originality and artistry behind the prose the author utilizes will stay with readers within each story, as the tension in each story is undercut by humorous dialogue or observations of the everyday life people encounter during these situations.

The themes and feelings of strength and paranoia in each story resonate with the harsh experiences that so many women are left to face. The unique delivery of the stories as an almost first-person monologue in a way allowed the reader to feel as if these stories represented personal conversations between the reader and the author. The titular story is an excellent example of this, with the narrator gradually becoming more and more afraid as she has strange encounters and is soon face to face with a unique outcome. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, performative, and engaging author Mary Paula Hunter’s “Can I Have a Hug First?” is a must-read fiction and speculative fiction genre. The poignant and carefully crafted narrative behind each story and the rich character dynamics built in such a short amount of time in each story made the collection both relatable and alive on the page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Mary Paula Hunter is a writer living in Providence, Rhode Island. She received early praise for her writing when as a dancer and choreographer, she told stories about her eccentric Midwestern family while she danced.

Laurie Stone, in the now-defunct VILLAGE VOICE wrote that Mary Paula’s writing was brilliant. Jennifer Dunning in THE NEW YORK TIMES also praised her hybrid work, especially the honest storytelling.  Finally the writing won out… although she still creates dances (mainly in her kitchen), and works on performance art projects.

Visit Mary Paula Hunter’s Performance website.

https://www.marypaulahunterwrites.com/