In this book of stories -- most never before published -- Robert Drake has written his most poignant collection thus far. With the theme of the picture frame, Drake has included people, places, and events of a most recent past. "Crowded in the picture" are unforgettable images of memory and grace, love and remorse. But more than the characters and the subjects of the story, the draw of this collection is once again Drake's use of language. The language is the language of the South. It is the language of humanity. While the stories look back, they do so without regret. They were great times, but so is the present. From the town of Woodville to St. Mark's Square in Venice, Drake's powerful language draws the reader not only into the book, but also into the photographs.
