Modern Love. Andrew Scott. (Sunnyoutside POBOX 441429 Somerville, Ma. 02144 USA) $10 http://sunnyoutside.com/

“Modern Love’ by Andrew Scott is the second chapbook of fiction by the Somerville, Mass. small press “sunnyoutside.” As usual Dave McNamara has designed this book, and it is a handsome addition to his list of titles. The artwork in the book was done by Ed Herrera and the font for the text has been digitally interpreted by Robert Slemback. “Modern Love” is a short story about a young couple’s journey from the corn-fed Midwest to the brighter horizons of California. The couple is in search of a better life, but more accurately in search of themselves. The young man wants to make it as a rock band promoter, and his girlfriend Alice seems to be along for the ride. The story moves on in a predictable way: they meet a kindly old man in Tucson, and it ends with a not very profound psychological epiphany. The characters don’t seem sufficiently fleshed out, and the story sort of peters out. I think people in the music biz might find this novella a good read; as there are some amusing riffs on the music industry. Although the writing is competent, the story is not particularly compelling.

Doug Holder/Ibbetson Update/ Somerville, Mass. /Aug 2006