The Slow Fix by Ivan E. Coyote

The Slow Fix Reviews

• 
  Distant Sounds

  A wonderful insight into the life experiences of Ivan, told through short stories, as anecdotes, each just 3-4 pages in length. I learnt a good deal about life in the Yukon, life as someone who is non-binary, and as someone who is on the move a lot. Even though each story is over in the blink of an eye, they each carry their own weight in abundance, whether they make you laugh and smile, or carry a deep emotional tale. As a white, heterosexual male, there are many things I take for granted every day, especially when out in public, but these stories allowed to see inside a world that exists all around me, yet at the same time is mostly invisible.
  
  Wherever you are Francis, I hope you are doing well.
• 
  Carolyn

  This has some of my favourite Ivan Coyote stories of all time. I would definitely reread this volume. There are stories here that are so important, I wish every queer kid could read it, because many need it. I wish every ignorant Canadian who doesn't understand why gender neutral bathrooms are a necessity would read this book. Everyone who thinks it's okay to force kids into gendered boxes. I can't stress how lucky we are that Ivan is Canadian. Yukon pride is a strong feature in this book and I loved it.
• 
  Megan

  I really enjoyed this collection of stories. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life of Ivan.
• 
  Elaine Burnes

  This was terrific. A slim volume of short stories. She says they are fiction, but they read like personal essays--apparently culled from a column she writes. She's Canadian, living in Vancouver, BC (and thereabouts) and travels far and wide giving performances. Many of these are lovely character sketches of the folks she meets in her travels--little slices of life. There are also some lovely tales of being a modern butch, the good and the bad (I just had no idea how intimidating a public bathroom could be!). Would make a nice followup to Stone Butch Blues, to know that butches not only survived, they can thrive.
• 
  Lbaker

  The stories in this book show the maturing of the author.
  
  I find it so easy to relate to the voice in this book, her extended family and friends are familiar, as I read each book by this author I find myself reading bits of it aloud to my daughters, my husband, anyone at hand. The humour is infectious, the insights touching and the informative. I must admit that before reading Ivan E. Coyote's books I had never given thought to public bathroom use by people who's gender is not apparent, and will probably think about it every time I use a public bathroom from now on.
  
  I appreciate this author's skills and hope to read much more by her.
• 
  Emily

  These autobiographical short stories are phenomenal. Most are fewer than 5 pages long, many are about perceptions of gender, but all are about finding one's place in the world. In the end, they are about the folds of community, the weave of the fabric, and I was really impressed with the depth and feeling that Coyote conveys in such little space.
• 
  Janet Bristeir

  Great writer
• 
  Emerson Curtright

  Less of a short story collection and more of a collection of short autobiographical vignettes. At times they are touching and poignant. I found myself relating to these short and sweet moments more than I could count. However, I wish these shorts had been fleshed out more so we could really linger on the sweet moments. I found that I also wished these stories had a more prominent narrative structure. Like I said, these are merely vignettes about what I can only assume are real moments in Coyote’s real life.
• 
  Sarah

  It's kind of inspiring to read Ivan Coyote's publications out of chronological order - not that the stories mean more or less if they're in order, but to put in perspective the shifts of focus, identity, and politics that accompany and refine every publication. Especially fun to pick up threads of "Bow Grip" in this one, seeing the little mentions of people/places/things that influenced the novel. All of Ivan Coyote's charm, in little bite-sized stories.
• 
  Brook

  A series of delightful stories, that ranged all-over from family, to heritage, to figuring out masculinity. This was a sharp turn from a lot of what I read, but it was cute and kinda fun. A few stories were particularly touching, but many had a sort of same-ness, that a friend suggested came from them potentially being columns first?
• 
  Robyn

  This is the third collection of short stories I have read by Ivan Coyote. While I've rated each book four stars, I think this collection is my favorite.
  
  As other reviewers have mentioned, these stories are quite short -- most are just four pages.
• 
  Joe Vess

  I will read anything by Ivan Coyote. This book is as wonderful and captivating as all the others, just a joy to read. It's insightful, moving, funny, poignant, all rolled into one.
• 
  Justina

  I never felt so connected to a book before and I have felt really connected to a lot of books. This is amazing.
• 
  Maeve Ferris

  3.5
• 
  Fred Langridge

  A lovely collection of thoughts and anecdotes about life and queerness and family in the Yukon.
• 
  Lindy

  Ivan Coyote is a storyteller who was raised in the Yukon and now lives in Vancouver. This is her 4th collection of short stories... or should I say "his"? Ivan addresses this question in the piece titled "Imagine a Pair of Boots."
  
  "I have always felt this way about gender pronouns, that 'she' pinches a little and 'he' slips off me too easily. I'm often asked by well-intentioned people which pronoun I prefer, and I always say the same thing: that I don't really have a preference, that neither pronoun really fits, but thank you for asking, all the same. Then I tell them they can call it like they see it, or mix it up a little if they wish."
  
  The stories may be familiar to you if you are a regular reader of Xtra! West, since earlier versions appeared in Coyote's Loose End column. They are always good for a chuckle and certainly worth reading more than once. Check out the Xtra website and do a search for her name, if you want a sample. And watch for your next opportunity to hear him live, which is a huge treat.
• 
  Coreena McBurnie

  I absolutely love Ivan Coyote's storytelling. Her stories just draw me in and make me want to keep reading more.
  
  This collection is a short story, memoir collection. She touches on a wide range of topics, though many of them involve how we view gender roles, but there are also other topics, such as family and growing up in the north. In the space of one story Coyote has the ability to make the reader laugh, cry, be entertained, be challenged, and think - quite a feat.
  
  Coyote is clearly a master of her craft and I would love to get some of her audio recordings to hear her tell her stories. This is the second one of her books that I have read now, and the second one that I have raced though, telling myself that I'll read "just one more story" before I put it down.
• 
  Arsenal

  Nominated for a 2008 Lambda Literary Award, Lesbian Fiction. The awards will be handed out at the gala in New York on May 28.
  
  Here is a quote from Edge publications about The Slow Fix.
  
  A masterful and powerful collection of stories that stirs the soul and challenges readers’ attitudes and preconceptions. Quite simply, it is a collection of stories that anyone should read regardless of race, age, or gender.... The Slow Fix, through stories that make the reader laugh and cry, is a brilliant addition to the ever-increasing canvas of gay and lesbian literature.
  —EDGE Publications (Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, et al)
  
• 
  Mike Bull

  This collection of short stories written in the first person by a Vancouver author and set primarily in British Columbia have to do with lesbian identity. They are full of humor, wit and sarcasm as well as heart touching moments. I picked this up at random from the library and finished it in no time. At the heart of the stories are themes of family and belonging.
• 
  Faith Reidenbach

  Called short stories, and shortlisted for a Lammy Award in fiction, but sure reads like autobiographical essays. Short essays. Laugh-out-loud funny in places. Gets 4 stars instead of 3 because of "Imagine a Pair of Boots," one of the best writing I've read about trans/gender.
• 
  Magdelanye

  There is a special place for the really short story, in which every word counts. IC has a flair for capturing the essence, and if the stories all have a wistful quality, it makes for endearing reading in those moments between events. Especially good for bank lineups,and in line at the supermarket.
• 
  Adam Hodgins

  Ivan Coyote is a fucking national treasure.
• 
  Ever

  A fascinating collection of stories from a Canadian queer author. This is my first exposure to Ivan Coyote and I'd definitely like to read more.
• 
  ken

  Still my favorite storyteller... and I am grateful for the wise words that Ivan gives us.