What Works in Love & Sex (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781977247957)

Up and coming author, Peter Pastore is a craftsman of the short story, following in the monumental footsteps of Canadian greats such as Munro, Atwood, and Gardner. He develops his authentic characters in candidly realistic situations. The lengthier first piece is the universal journey of self-discovery, unveiling the protagonists for who they are and what they become. Love, the most elusive emotion is at the core and its value is enhanced or lost through their human interactions. Any coming of age tale cannot exclude sexual desire and how it plays upon the whole process. Deep within, it is one's mental acuity or lack thereof which is the key to growth, with one's social environment, family, and all the opposing others who add to the complexity of it. The backdrop is the unique, developing landscape of Toronto from the early 60's through to the technological age of the present as one must ponders what brought happiness, sadness and tragedy into the lives of the people involved.

Part II explores multifarious relationships. In the first tale, an intelligent, teenage girl has to come to terms with her female partner's infidelity. "Imposing Fiction upon Reality" analyzes friendship. Can a man and a woman be solely Platonic in their interactions together or does physical attraction or jealousy play havoc upon it? "Julio and Miss Sorciere" deals with the well intentions of a high minded female teacher and her love for poetry. In her attempt to bring that beautifully profound art form to her impoverished, immigrant students does she lose sight of what is of greater importance in her life and those she wishes to enlighten? "Like Father Like Son" pursues the idea of hereditary and its influence in one's becoming. "The Artist" touches upon loss and its sad effect upon an individual. Can art's seeming cathartic power re-create the phoenix and its rise from the ashes? Does suffering need to occur for one to produce a visionary piece which touches upon the deepest, heartfelt elements of the soul? "Getting Fired" shows the heartlessness of the corporate world as downsizing for profit effects a young man who must deal with the sudden change in his life. It brings about a reassessing of what is of true value to him. "A Morning with Obisi Loasteame" puts a full figured individual at the center of the story. His struggles are of no less importance than those of any other.

In its entirety this intricately constructed anthology threads together many interrelated themes as the author touches upon the imperfections of what truly makes one human. The characters' struggles and discoveries are everyone's as they attempt to understand what works in the need to get to the heart of the unending desire to find worth in one's life.