Tattle Tales Essays And Stories Along The Way [Paperback]

Short Story Finalist, 2011 80th Annual Writer’s Digest for, “Swinging Doors”
Short Story Finalist about Family, 2009, Cup of Comfort contest, “You’ve Got a Match”

A novelist muses on maturing, seeking, traveling, and other themes in this collection of short stories and essays. Explorations of whimsy and wisdom take the reader from the basement of a young girl learning about the Holocaust via a repair person, to a literal and psychological deep dive in the Caribbean, to the humble truths of a dung beetle in Africa, and all points in between.

Essays range from a riff on the importance of finding a well-fitting bra to fictional imaginings about a divorcée who seeks healing on her trip to a remote Caribbean island. The challenges of aging figure prominently in two stories: “Knock, Knock” shares the tale of Selma, who is dealing with the dementia of her longtime husband, whose thoughts appear in italicized segments throughout the narrative, and “Country Villa,” about a woman visiting her father, Morton, in a nursing home. The author's keen perception and compassion light the way in this diverse assembly of entertaining observational gems.

"Rolnick offers many observational gems to enjoy. Resonant reflections from a skilled literary artist.” —Kirkus Reviews

"In Tattle Tales, Abbe Rolnick’s joie de vivre is evident. These stories and essays take you to an inner realm where Abbe, the observer, contemplates an ever-changing landscape called life. Her enthusiasm and passion thread through each thoughtful piece."  —Mary Elizabeth Gillilan, Editor,Clover : A Literary Rag

Abbe Rolnickgrew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. Her first major cultural jolt occurred at age 15 when her family moved to Miami Beach, Florida. To find perspective, she climbed the only l38