The Circus in the Attic
Bolton Lovehart is the protagonist of the story. His mother is strict and tries to control his son and husband. Bolton's parents never let him play with other kids because they feel proud of their aristocratic ancestry. He studies diligently, but his mother's expectations tire him. Bolton starts doing things which he likes as making toys. His dream is to join a circus, but his mother wants him to study. Bolton's mother keeps pressing him to do something to alleviate their status in Bardsville, but Bolton, unwilling to bear the burden, runs away from the house.
After getting rejected from the circus, Bolton returns to his home and focuses on his study. He begins to date her classmate Sara but, his mother doesn't like her. Bolton's submissive attitude angers Sara and, she leaves him. A few years later, Bolton's mother dies from a heart attack. Bolton, now an independent man, does everything he likes. He marries a widow and begins making toys for his mini circus in the attic. Bolton's wife is also a dominating woman, and he feels like he's becoming just like his father.
Bolton Lovehart is a person who always feels frustrated because of his mother and wife's dominating nature. Bolton's wife dies in an accident, and he gets to know that his wife was cheating on him. At the end of the story, he returns to his world of toys, which he can control and cherish as much as he wants.
Blackberry Winter
Blackberry winter is a short story about a middle-aged man, Seth, who is recalling an event that happened when he was a nine years old kid. Seth lives in a small town in Tennessee. Seth's mother forbids him to go outside because of the cold weather, even though it's June. Flood has destroyed the crops of his father's farm.
On the way to meet his friend, Seth spots a stranger. He starts following him and gets scared when the man goes to his house.The strange man comes to ask for work from his friend. Seth's curiosity makes him follow the man. The story ends when the man threatens Seth to kill him if he continues to follow him. The man is furious because Seth's father doesn't hire him.
