Across the Border: Stories

by Anthony Pond

Sailing on the Nile, climbing the slopes of Kilimanjaro, tracking gorillas in the jungles of Rwanda; Ryan Jordan is searching for one thing — himself. As a boy, Ryan experienced his first encounter with death in the family’s horse corral — and his father’s role in it. Later, a greater tragedy occurs — again in the corral. Questions about his own purpose in life hound him, sending Ryan into the wild terrain of Baja California with two college buddies in the mid-1970s. With time, plans change. Once again he crosses the border to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez to find love. Several years later, he suffers another loss. Restless, and seeking to forget, he ventures to Africa on a journey of personal exploration. This collection of fifteen interconnected stories follows Ryan as he searches for meaning in life, across various borders, both international and emotional.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2023

About the author

Anthony Pond was blessed with an insatiable curiosity. About the world, about life, about meaning. He follows that curiosity with courage and the confidence that he will prevail over difficulties. Armed with degrees in English, Journalism and Law, he has roamed the world seeking answers. On the way, he has scuba-dived, mountain climbed and tromped through steamy jungles, enjoying the freedom that was instilled in him while growing up. And with that freedom came responsibility, caring for horses and goats and dogs and other animals as a youth. He brings this experience, his particular view on life, into a collection of short stories of literary realism, with its tragedies and triumphs. He now lives in Portland, Oregon

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Pond’s Across the Border: Stories delivers a compelling exploration of migration, displacement, and identity. Through a series of gripping short stories, Pond amplifies the voices of those navigating the complexities of crossing borders, both literal and metaphorical. Each narrative presents a unique lens on the migrant experience, from those striving for a better future to individuals haunted by memories of the home they left behind.

One particularly electrifying scene unfolds at the Tijuana border, where a hidden firearm transforms an already tense crossing into a moment of unbearable suspense. Anxiety crackles in the air, the weight of uncertainty pressing down. Even when no crime is being committed, fear lurks at the margins of the journey. Pond injects this kind of taut, nerve-wracking tension throughout the collection, ensuring that each journey feels personal and perilous.

Beyond individual narratives, Pond paints a sweeping portrait of resilience and survival. Hardship takes center stage, yet flickers of hope shine through small acts of kindness from strangers, families forging new connections, and individuals uncovering hidden reserves of strength. These moments elevate the book beyond a mere collection of stories, transforming it into a deeply human meditation on the sacrifices and triumphs of migration.

Some stories conclude abruptly, leaving a sense of unfinished business. Yet, this mirrors reality, migration is rarely a neatly wrapped journey. Uncertainty lingers, and the next chapter is unwritten. The lack of closure enhances the authenticity of the collection rather than detracting from it.

For readers drawn to contemporary fiction that grapples with pressing social issues, Across the Border: Stories is essential reading. It resonates long after the final page, offering character-driven storytelling infused with emotional depth and keen social insight.

[Carrie D. Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this intimate series of stories based in California, Mexico, and Africa, I watched Ryan transform from a child learning about life from his father to a young man exploring with his buddies and later with “the girl.” Because the setting and time periods were authentically written, I felt I got to join on his fascinating journey — scuba diving, sailing, going on safari, hand feeding an eagle, and talking with locals. I was constantly in awe. Newly graduated and again a decade later, Ryan tackled questions about the direction he wanted his life to take, who did he want to be? I rooted for him to chase his dreams. Ryan had an incredible way of processing his trauma that resonated with me. This is a book that will stay with me forever.

[Emmanuel Odey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: "Across the Border: A Thrilling Realism Adventures of Ryan Jordan"

Anthony Pond's collection of 15 realism stories, " Across the Borders," is a captivating journey through the heart-pounding adventures of Ryan Jordan, a passionate explorer. With each tale, he immerses readers in a world where geographical borders are mere obstacles to be conquered.

From the beautiful country sides of Southern California, USA, to as far away as the Rwanda mountains, in Africa, his vivid descriptions and impeccable attention to detail transport readers to the heart of the action.

Anthony's love for adventure permeates every page, leaving readers yearning for their own thrilling escapades.

"Across the Border" is a must-read for any avid reader seeking a taste of adrenaline-fueled exploration across geographical and emotional borders.
Happy reading! - Emmanuel Odey