The Roles We Inherit

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Rowan

A thematically linked collection centered on down-and-out characters living at the margins of society. Stories explore destructive patterns, addiction and criminality, and the sense of tragic inevitability that follows repeated setbacks. Despite the grit, the narrative voice balances blunt realism with moments of humor, hope, and unexpected humanity. The collection emphasizes how people survive rock bottom—through survival choices, broken promises, and imperfect resilience—leaving a lasting impact through sharply observed dialogue and tightly crafted prose.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages140

Reading Time3 h 36 min

AccessFree to download

Praise for The Roles We Inherit

[OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) The Roles We Inherit Copyright © 2023 by Patrick Trotti All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. Cover Design by Patrick Trotti First edition by West Vine Press Andrew Hemeren Kuharevicz, Publisher Visit [westvinepress.com](westvinepress.com) for more titles. "Wingman" was first published by MONO. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Praise for The Roles We Inherit "The Roles We Inherit is not for the faint of heart. The grittiest of grit. These are the characters that so many people would rather turn a blind eye to. The dive bar we stick our head in only to head some place safer. The ally we start to cut down before we turn to take the long way around. Drug addicts, alcoholics, crooks, crooked cops, kids about to be taken away by the state-most all of these characters are either on their third strike or have already struck out. These are the characters of Denis Johnson and Hubert Selby. And Patrick Trotti's writing is the perfect voice for these down and out folks. Blunt. No frills, no wasted words. This isn't pretty; this is humanity at its messiest. Which is the real beauty of this book--it finds humanity where so many people try to avoid having to look at it. This is a must read for anybody who loves true grit but also for anybody who knows or needs a lesson on what people do when they hit rock bottom. They do what they have to do to survive." Benjamin Drevlow, author The Book of Rusty "The characters in these stories are easy to root for - but they don’t make things easy for themselves. There’s a sense of tragic inevitability that runs through this collection, but that’s not to say it’s relentlessly dark or depressing. There is humor and hope here too, even among the bad decisions and con jobs and broken promises. Patrick’s voice is authoritative and confident. These are stories that will stay with you." -Justin Taylor, author Thunder From a Clear Blue Sky "Richard Yates' first story collection was likened to that of James Joyce, and I am likening Patrick Trotti's collection to both Dubliners and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness. While each story stands on its own as great writingthe deep characters all interacting in full environments -taken together as one, the book soars. I am very lucky to have read this, you will be too." -Carson Pytell, author Willoughby, New York "A thematically-linked collection of down-and-out characters. Trotti writes from the edges. These are stories of trailer parks and 12-step programs. People fighting a system perpetually gunning for them. In tight prose--think Denis Johnson, think Carver--and with an ear for dialogue, Patrick Trotti captures the silver lining hope of the hopeless, and all the beauty held therein." -Tyler Dempsey, author Consumption & Other Vices [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com)

FAQs

What kind of characters appear in The Roles We Inherit?

The collection focuses on down-and-out people, including drug addicts, alcoholics, crooks, and others on their third strike or already in a cycle of failure.

What overall tone does the book have?

The stories carry harsh grit and tragic inevitability, but they also include humor and hope alongside bad decisions and con jobs.

What is distinctive about Patrick Trotti’s writing in this collection?

Trotti’s voice is described as blunt and authoritative, with tight prose and an ear for dialogue that highlights humanity in difficult circumstances.

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Rowan