The eleven interconnected stories in The World Is But a Broken Heart follow the Fitzpatricks, a blue-collar family constantly followed by bad luck. Dale, Kenny, and Patrick are tied to each other as only brothers can be. They antagonize each other, fight and argue. More importantly, they look out for one another in a sometimes-violent household. These stories do not shy away from difficult truths: parents who struggle to be parents; a mother who falls into despair; a father numbed by killing for a living; a sudden and violent death during a strike at a meat packing plant; a life insurance salesman who specializes in selling to the bereaved; a grieving student who finds comfort in a relationship with a teacher; and finally, a grown man who makes amends with his estranged—and dying—brother. This coming-of-age collection of stories is a testament to the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between brothers.