Surrounded by Weasels was compiled by Tess Gallager for Josie Gray, her companion for a quarter of a century, who told her these stories at Lake House, and before their hearth at Abbey Cottage in Ballindoon and in America at large. During the collection period, between 1994 and 2006, Josie often told stories while in motion, walking with Tess by the Morse Creek near her home in Port Angeles, Washington, riding ferryboats, and on treks to the Pacific Ocean. Shortly before his death, he recalled the many stories they had kept back from their initial book, Barnacle Soup, in 2007, and asked her to bring those together here in this book.

To read Josie Gray's stores is to enter an entire human universe. Here we are brought to the very heat of a rural community populated by a cavalcade of richly realized characters — a world of turf cutters, matchmakers whiskey drinkers landed gentry fallen on hard times, fishermen, card players, conmen and chancers. As Gray tells their stories, we can imagine him sitting by the fireside, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he brings all their quirks and foibles to vivid life. Earthy and charged with a wry humour underpinned by genuine affection for ordinary people, these yarns are replete with the poetry of plain speech, with every word needle-sharp in its precision. Surrounded by Weasels is simply a joy to read.

— Liam Carson, author of call mother a lonely field and Belfast Twilight, haiku sentry and micro-poems

You could make a trip to Western Ireland, traveling its backroads and by ways, hoping you might have enough great good fortune to encounter a quintessential Irish storyteller, one willing to let you listen as he works his wizardry. Or you could open this book. That stellar storyteller you seek? He's here. Graced by the collaborative touch of the renowned poet Tess Gallagher. Josie Gray's authentic and mesmerizing voice rises toward you from this collection's pages. His hard-truth stories are both artless and artfully shaped, full of wit and compassion and wisdom. Read them silently or aloud to others. Hear their music. Be prepared to gladly surrender yourself to their magic.

— Paulann Petersen, Oregon Poet Laureate Emerita