'The Sharpener and Other Stories,' by Andres Berger-Kiss.

SEAVIEW, Wash. – Anglo-Spanish writer Andres Berger-Kiss returns to the Sou’wester Lodge to read excerpts from his latest books and poems at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13.

According to lodge owner Len Atkins, Berger-Kiss surely set some kind of record last year when three of his full-length books came out almost at the same time on three different continents: his poetry book in Spanish, “Mis Tres Patrias y un Punado de Polvo” (“My Three Homelands and a Fistful of Dust”), appeared in Madrid, Spain, published by Editorial Betania; his novel in Spanish, “Donalejo y sus 186 Hijos” (“Don Alejo and his 186 Children), came out in Bogota, Colombia, published by ECOE Ediciones; and his anthology of short stories in English, “The Sharpener and Other Stories,” was published in Pittsburgh, Penn., by the Latin American Literary Review.

“The Sharpener and Other Stories” was recently reviewed by the literary critic of the Salem Statesman Journal, who wrote, “Andres Berger-Kiss makes his home in Oregon, but he is a genuine man of the world. He was born in Hungary into an artistic family, and received much of his education in Colombia. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Missouri. He has published three novels, two collections of poetry, many essays and a large number of short stories, 24 of which are in this book. Known as the champion of the common worker, Berger-Kiss writes stories that unfold like waking dreams. They are filled with horror and hope, fear and joy. Berger-Kiss is a writer with a social conscience, but he is never pretentious nor unkind. His prose is born of the depths of human experience. His writing will stay with you a very long time. Think about this as an example, from the title story: ‘… all goodbyes are a rehearsal of our own death …'”

Berger-Kiss will read excerpts from these three books and welcomes everyone who would enjoy being entertained by an evening of literary surprises. His down-to-earth poems are readily understood.

Audiences who packed the Sou’wester during his past appearances were held in thrall by the sensitive, rolling cadences in the writer’s dramatic presentation of his works, said Atkins – an art which Berger-Kiss learned at the Drama Department of Indiana University.

Admission is by donation to charity. Everyone is welcome; because of limited seating, however, advance reservations are recommended. Complimentary light refreshments are provided during the interval. For information and reservations, call the Sou’wester Lodge at (360) 642-2542.