jbbergstad.com

 The best thing about this collection of short stories is the author’s outstanding skill at character development. Screwing the Pooch features stories built around themes such as coming of age, romance, truth and humility, alcoholism, rape, murder, horror and redemption. In virtually all of the stories, the author employs characters that leap off the page, along with compelling narrative, vivid use of sensory scene setting, and rich metaphors, successfully drawing us into his worlds. A couple of his stories required extensive backstory, which the author was able to skillfully disperse, yet not detract from the story flow. Ask any writer, this is not easily done. Well, by now you’ve probably guessed that I’m recommending this collection of short stories. Pick up a copy of Screwing the Pooch. You won’t be sorry. Jan Evan Whitford - Allbookreviews.com - September,  2009.

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Woodside Publishing Group
Genre: Fiction/Short Stories
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780615284064, 216 pp.

For those of us not familiar with the slang term and title of this book, Screwing the Pooch, here are a few definitions: 1) to do something the wrong way, 2) to make a catastrophic error, and 3) to goldbrick–all negative behaviors, and it is this negative or dark side of life that these short stories have in common. All but one is about murder or death.

J. B. Bergstad is a gifted storyteller with a unique talent for saying a lot in a little space. His character-driven stories come to life quickly, richly and tightly. He doesn’t miss a beat and is an artist at his craft. If you enjoyed short stories by Stephen King or Ambrose Bierce, you will enjoy Screwing the Pooch. Kaye Trout for the November issue of Midwestbookreview.com and for the October 26, 2009 edition of kayetrout.blogspot.com

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Despite what the cover art may suggest, Screwing the Pooch by J.B. Bergstad is not a comedy. Instead, Pooch is a series of seven excellent character-driven short stories, all of which are packed surprisingly full of rich emotion including love, anger, pathos, and revenge.

 The wonderful stories include "Milton's Pickle," "The Puppy Murders," "The Brass Rail," "Rot Like Me," "Dear Daniel," and "Hank Straker, SA."

 The stories are varied in element and style - but the common thread amongst most of the stories seem to be that of vengeance, deliverance, or new beginnings. My favorites were "Milton's Pickle"--about a precocious young boy who is forced to deal with a rotten mother and an even worse neighborhood bully. "Rot Like Me," on the other hand, has no real protagonist but you will definitely find yourself rooting for revenge. "The Brass Rail" is written with such pathos it broke my heart. The cycle of self-loathing and addiction experienced by the alcoholic protagonist reads like the diary of a boozy inner-demon.

 My favorite story was "BearClaw at The Coffeecaker." In it, a former athlete loses everything he thinks is important, only to find that his life may have only just begun. I've read plenty of short story collections and this is among the best. Read these stories one at a time when you have time to escape into another world and truly appreciate them.

 J.B. Bergstad is an excellent short-story writer and I recommend this work highly - and definitely look forward to reading his next collection as well! Kelly Davis - Bookideas.com

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I found this book of seven short stories to be a compilation of little literary gems, each varied in plot but all offering well developed character studies of people who made life changing errors in judgment without considering the consequences. These stories examine these ill-fated choices, sometimes with the events leading up to them and sometimes the results. The author skillfully places us within the mind of the characters, while quite vividly building their back stories and situating us in their worlds. Hence the title, “Screwing The Pooch,” which is a euphemism for making a choice resulting in catastrophic consequence.

At first glance, the cartoonish cover art and large, easy to read typeset might suggest to the average bookstore browser that he is choosing a lighthearted, comical collection of short stories. The implication is wrong!! These stories show the gritty side of life. Recurrent themes of bad decision-making, alcoholism, abandonment, transience, revenge and redemption unite these stories.

In “Milton’s Pickle” we find a seven-year-old boy bullied without remorse. With no support from his mother, he takes control of the situation through his wit. The horror of the outcome actually has the reader cheering for the moment but leaves the reader wondering what the ultimate effect will be on Milton.

In the “Puppy Murders” and “Dear Daniel,” we are exposed to the psychological consequence of past acts. Life lessons are learned as the adult narrators recall and regret their actions as youngsters. In “Puppy Murders,” a young boy, new to town, tries to fit in and impress the other kids with what he thinks are harmless lies. He discovers his fabrications and bravado place him in the uncomfortable position where he must “Put up or shut up.” It is the putting up that haunts him into adulthood. In “Dear Daniel” a father writes a letter to his grown son confessing to involvement in teenage pranks, drinking and driving and the murderous outcome.

I think that my favorite story is “Rot Like Me.” Again a boy is transplanted to a new town, but this time we have little sympathy for him as he is a teenage rapist and murderer. He seeks out his next conquest, not realizing he is becoming part of a 2 supernatural revenge pact. Unlike the other stories, this has all the elements of “Twilight Zone,” eerie and gruesome with vividly descriptive scenes that would make anyone cringe.

Loneliness and isolation pervade in many of the stories but are most prevalent in “BearClaw at the Coffeecaker,” “The Brass Rail,” and “Hank Starker, SA.” These stories are of adults who seem to have lost everything once meaningful in their lives and try to reclaim their former happiness, not always with success.

These thought provoking stories all have characters searching for new beginnings under adverse circumstances. They universally find themselves in the position of taking responsibility for their actions, making this collection an interesting choice for discussion for a book group. Enid Grabiner - Rebeccareads.com

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If readers ever wanted a fast read that makes them think about those in their past or present, this is the book. The author has written seven short stories that we all can relate to from bullies to a narcissistic rapist. His ability to get into the mind of his characters is amazing. His vivid descriptions of events and repercussions (good or bad) place you right there.

I don’t think I had one particular story I liked better than another. They all had relevant meaning for me on how we see the world through our eyes and then act on our views. Readers will find those who have to protect themselves from their social environment to those who might have not have made wise decisions but eventually figured it out.

More than anything, I thought the author was telling me stories that he might have experienced or knew someone who did. It was easy to read with everyday language that we all can understand.

The title of the book is not what one would find inside, but psychologically speaking it is. How many times do we take revenge out on those who have harmed us or someone we know? When do we decide that “this is too much” and take action, whether it be good or bad?

These stories will make readers cry, get angry and yet at the same time let them realize why individuals do what they do. “Screwing the Pooch” by J. B. Bergstad is a must read book. Carol Hoyer, Ph.D - Readerviews.com

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Sit back and enjoy a marvelous collection of various tales, that will keep you enthralled for hours. Bergstad grabs you with the first story and won't let go. From "Milton's Pickle" to "The Brass Rail" to Hank Straker SA, you will be glued to the page. Expect to burn some midnight oil. If you only read one collection of short stories this year, be sure to make it Screwing the Pooch. Don Mosher - Author - Burning Obsession and others. See complete list of books at: http://www.capnmosh.com/