Wonderful review in Bay Area Reporter!
"...terrific collection of stories drawing on the humanity of its characters and the challenging relationship situations they find themselves embedded in...Relatable and timelessly relevant, this collection will particularly resonate with readers who face life head-on and with fearless courage and empathy." --Jim Piechota
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Passport Magazine chooses The Day Before it Rained as one of the Best Books for February 2024!
"World traveler and longtime PASSPORT contributor Rich Rubin proves an expert in the geography of the human heart with his debut fiction collection, The Day Before It Rained ... Rubin’s clear, unfussy prose carries the reader across delicate psychological terrain, providing a window seat view of complex interpersonal relationships. Each of the more than three dozen stories here delivers the fleeting pleasure of a postcard and the lasting resonance of a poem."
--Jim Gladstone
Rave review from queer-reviewed.com!
"Where Rubin’s biggest strength lies is in his ability to create memorable characters...Even in some of his shortest stories within the collection, he navigates their complex desires with aplomb, and invites the reader to do the same...Rubin’s voice is clear and concise. All of his stories have the tone and feel of someone who knows how to tell a tale...It is a wonderful addition to any reader’s bookshelf, with enough variation to suit any mood. Rubin here has assembled an eclectic collection of works written throughout his life, which showcase his talent not only as a writer, but as a traveler, lover, explorer and most importantly a storyteller too." --Frank Schierloh
Here's what others are saying about The Day Before It Rained
“Rich Rubin is a traveler. He's a wanderer. These stories are like buying coffee at an untried deli on a crisp overcast day in New York City. There's something small, perfect, private about them. Bundle up and take the walk.” – Playwright/screenwriter Daniel Talbott
“Rubin's acute powers of observation create vivid scenes populated with indelible characters. I wanted to meet them all.” — Patricia Harris, Boston Globe correspondent and author of New England's Notable Women
“Witty, charming, engaging, and thought-provoking, The Day Before It Rained is not just a collection of short stories. It is an examination of what it means to be human, and how we can still find joy and connection in the simplest moments of life.” — Frank Schierloh, writer and critic, queer-reviewed.com
“Rich Rubin's mellifluous prose reminds me of a good Islay single malt — smoky and strong and best taken in small sips to savor the complexity.” — David Lyon, co-founder of Lynx House Press and author of The Sound of Horns
“This fascinating collection of short stories captures what it means to be alive: yearning, dreaming, daring to leap, or playing it safe. Rich Rubin's observations of people and places are inspired by a lifetime of travel and experiences that touch the heart and stir your soul.” – Robert Adams, Editorial Director, Passport Magazine