Matt Cohen’s stories have been widely anthologized and have appeared in distinguished periodicals and journals in Canada, Britain and the United States. Lives of the Mind Slaves features 7 short stories -- one of which (‘Trotsky’s First Confessions’) was written especially for this book -- and a brilliant novella.
Cohen’s novella, ‘Golden Whore of the Heartland‘, explores the conflict between the spontaneity of passion -- a chance affair -- and the comfort of commitment and belonging. ‘The Sins of Tomas Benares’ explores the theme of love over generations. ’Café Le Dog’ is a celebration of all that remains inexplicable in the attractions between men and women. ‘Racial Memories’ is vintage Cohen -- a story about a not-so-classic Jewish family.
Lives of the Mind Slaves contains the best of Cohen’s two previous short story collections, Café Le Dog and Living on Water.