Bernie Lewis is back with his follow up collection to Kinnakeet Stories, aptly titled More Kinnakeet Stories. This larger collection of tales from tiny Avon, NC, known by the long time locals as Kinnakeet, has an even more varied selection of short stories. In it, Lewis has rather charming biographical tributes to locals, some fun takes on the legends of the shore and sand, and even a little bit of a ghost story in there.
He also includes wonderfully skilled tales of loss and redemption, of how the coast can help heal and change a person’s body and soul. The stories are cathartic, making the reader realize that others have gone through struggles, and have seen the other side. They are touching and personal, without the syrupy tugging at heartstrings of more blatant emotional and predictable stories.
As much as I enjoyed both reading and publishing Bernie Lewis’ first collection, I may like this one even more. Certainly just as much. The mix of tales, especially the bits of legends of the coast intertwined with colorful local characters, makes this a very fun and moving read.