Finalist, ReLit Awards (shortlist)

Black Rabbit & Other Stories is a debut collection of great intensity and versatility. The stories range from the fantastic to the gritty, from urban dystopias to worlds of dreamlike possibility. Even in their frequent explorations of brutality, the author remains honest and true to the motivations of his characters and the machinations of the worlds in which they find themselves. These are sure-footed narratives that move with a pre-destined deliberation into a universe that is often fraught with desperation and apparent hopelessness; but, ultimately, we find ourselves on a path to redemption, an acceptance of what is, in the final analysis, an incomprehensible matrix. Existential and reflective, brutal and honest, these are stories that will leave you questioning the essence of existence, your own humanity, and the humanity of those around you. This is deft storytelling from a talented new voice.

Praise for Black Rabbit & Other Stories:

"Reading Salvatore Difalco's first collection of stories, Black Rabbit, I was alternately shocked, disgusted, and astounded. All of this is a good thing. Difalco is a talented writer, whose unrelenting prose is tough, gritty, literate, and, most significantly, authentic. Hats off to Anvil Press for continuing to promote the work of authors who dare to tell it like it is." (The New Review)

"Brick by brick. Detail by detail. Word by word, Difalco uncovers worlds closed?for the moment?to most prize-list readers. Their loss. For, with such a skilled and sure literary hand as Difalco to guide, many of these lost souls would find their way into most readers' hearts." (Front & Centre)

"Difalco is at his strongest when writing about relationships — focusing upon the inherent drama of tight-knit Italian families, couples on the rocks, or even corpulent characters” relationships to food and their own bodies. Let's hope he continues to mine the strange lives of his particular brand of disenfranchised heroes. In all that roughness, there are diamonds." (Quill & Quire)

Salvatore Difalco was born and raised in Hamilton Ontario where he attended Cathedral High. Graduated with MA in English from U Of T after winning an SSHRC Fellowship. Has worked many jobs including Counsellor at the maximum security Peninsula Youth Centre. He was an editor and regular contributor at Toro Magazine. He is the author of one book of poetry and two collections of short fiction, Mean Season is his first novel. He currently resides in Toronto and works as an Italian translator.

Salvatore Difalco's profile page

"These are thoughtful, enigmatic stories drawing the reader in with sharp detail, poetic phrasing and recognizable characters. Though we're dealing with thugs, prostitutes and crack heads, they are all folks you'll feel uncomfortably at home with. That's Difalco's magic: scrape characters from the bottom of society's bowl and reveal them in literary daylight as powerless dreamers, failed mothers, caged creatures." - Front & Centre

"Difalco is at his strongest when writing about relationships - focusing upon the inherent drama of tight-knit Italian families, couples on the rock, or even corpulent characters' relationships to food and their own bodies. Let's continue to hope he continues to mine the strange lives of his particular brand of disenfranchised heroes. In all that roughness, there are diamonds."