FEAR OF FIGHTING

FEAR OF FIGHTING by Stacey May Fowles, illustrations by Marlena Zuber, 232 pgs., Invisible Publishing, 2518 Maynard St, Halifax, NS, B3K 3V5, $19.95

Like Be Good, Stacey May Fowles' s first novel, Fear of Fighting is light on plot but very deep in characterization. Fowles' s greatest talents lie in creating characters that are smart but flawed, painfully self-aware but with enough ironic distance to stay compelling and sympathetic. Fear of Fighting takes on the theme of solitude and loneliness (not the same thing), and the sort of self-destructive madness that can result from them. The protagonist, Mamie, is sad and alone …