Introduction: Lou Berney

The flip side of that coin is when I read a story I really love, like Lou Berney’s The Long and Faraway Gone, my reflex is to take it at face value. Berney gives himself room to explore a number of themes—tragedy, loss, memory, coming home again—all within the confines a story that on its face shouldn’t allow such a deep dive into the human experience. In closing, I want to share a quick anecdote from my meeting with the writer, which took place over beers at the Owner’s Box, a sports bar in the Omni Dallas Convention Center.