About the AuthorThough his roots were in the Pennsylvania coal fields, Bruce Colbert traveled the world. First as an enlisted man and officer during the Vietnam War. He later lived in Paris, Cairo, Rio, Chicago, and San Francisco, and now in New York City where he's an actor, filmmaker and writer. how do you read a book on goodreads A Tree on the Rift
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tight emotions in far-away places.By George RidgewayAt one time or another, we've all visited at least some of the places in Bruce Colbert's stories But not like this. In one place after another -- through telling details and sly behavioral quirks -- he uncovers a surprising emotional and psychological subtext. In our everyday, facile world of search engines and hashtags, there's a great deal going on beneath the surface -- whether it's Cairo or Sausalito -- and Colbert subtly probes the beguiling human connections.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I love reading them allBy W. Dale FillippoBruce Colbert's "A Tree on the Rift" sparkles with excitment, romance, humor and insight to a life filled with adventure. Bruce's writing creates a vivid picture of time and places that draw you into the magic of life. I love reading them all, but my favorite is Angel Of the Morning! Definately worth the read! Thanks for sharing your world! Maggie Fillippo0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A series of snapshots of place and timeBy Casey DormanBruce Colberts A Tree on the Rift, a collection of thirteen short stories, is like a series of snapshots of place and time. Cairo, Bangkok, Chicago, Sao Paolo, Budapest, Nairobi; the locations span the world. The author writes with the assuredness of someone who has been there. HIs evocation of place is reminiscent of Lawrence Durrell. The collections beginning story, City of the Dead, which takes place in Cairo, stirs memories of The Alexandria Quartet. The story is romantic, suspenseful, and frightening. The stories are not only reminiscent of Durrell but also a touch of Hemingway. There is even a bullfight scene. A definitely masculine orientation lurks in the background.Romance is the most common theme among the stories. Usually it is the protagonists own affair that is at the focus of the story, but sometime that of one of his friends. The emotions range from the soaring hopefulness of an exploratory liaison to the sorrow and despair of a failed marriage, to the tension of an illicit assignation. All the emotions are genuine. One gets the feeling that the author has lived each of the scenarios, perhaps not exactly in the same way or in the same place as portrayed in the story, but with the same involvement of his heart.I have rarely been as captivated by a series of stories by the same author. I hope to hear more from him in the future, perhaps in a longer work.