“This collection is more likely to spotlight aging alcoholics holed up at the Slots-O-Fun or the pathetic life of an unemployed prostitute than the standard Vegas hoopla. And it is this distinction between the myths and realities of Vegas—specifically the glaring gap that exists between the Strip’s entertainment world and the city’s locals, natives, and retirees—that the collection aims to portray. So what is the real Vegas? The most prominent theme of these stories is the irony in trying to pinpoint the exact exactness of Vegas. With a combination of alluring characters, compelling journeys, and intriguing, meditative tension, these stories do more than thwart Vegas’ cultural assumptions; they chip away at its complex identity.” —Sarah Faulkner, Southwestern American Literature
“For those who wish to know the real Las Vegas, this anthology of short fiction tells the truth.” —Jarret Keene, Las Vegas City Life, September 18, 2003
“A smorgasbord of style, theme, and subject matter, In the Shadow of the Strip seeks to give a three-dimensional view of this multifaceted and often schizophrenic city. This playful collection is a thoughtfully edited contribution to the western storytelling tradition as well as compelling primary evidence of the contradictory, enigmatic nature of a fascinating and understudied city.” —Heather Robison, Western American Literature, Winter 2006
