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Short stories are usually hit or miss for me, but this collection has quite a few I loved. The few stories I was less enthused about were more of a shrug than annoyance or anger. Here are the five best:1. "The Stucco House" by Ellen GilchristA wonderful story from the viewpoint of a child who narrates the action around him but doesn't quite understand what's happening (and probably won't be privy to it until he's much older). So distinct I rushed out to read the first Gilchrist novel I could get...
I am unsure of whether these stories are best when read in the order in which they're presented, but on the whole, they are worth reading. For the most part, they are well-written, structurally varied and deeply felt pieces that have to do with slightly skewed everyday situations. Though there is a sadness to them, stories like Max Garland's "Chiromancy" and Andrea Barrett's "The Behavior of the Hawkweeds" have some of the best development I've seen. A list of the stories included is as follows:...
Perhaps Jane Smiley and I just have a different feel for Story.I can't explain it, well, this isn't exactly true but I think my explanation might only be interesting to me, but most all (not all) of these stories were a blade turning me out, turning me away.
Some very good stories that I’ll remember for a while. Nothing amazing. Really like reading the Contributors’ Notes after each story to learn more about the story and writing process.
Jane Smiley takes the reins this time around. In a preemptive half-apology, she declares upfront that she's not a particularly determined reader and that she traditionally avoids short stories(!). However, determined or not, she's still a fine reader with strong preferences--in her own words, "[the] peppery flavor of the strange or exotic," "wit," and "a vigorous storyline"--and so her editorial turn plays out in more-or-less the typical manner, with a lot of decent stories and some truly excell...
Another solid Best American collection. Despite the editor's occasional favoring of quirk (Andrew Cozine's "Hand Jive") or beauty of language (Jennifer Cornell's "Undertow," Jamaica Kincaid's "Xuela") over story, there's plenty to appreciate here that will stick with you long after the quirks and beauties are forgotten.My personal favorites were: Edward Falco's "The Artist," the story of not-quite-a-marital-indiscretion told from two very different, both complex, perspectives; Kate Braverman's "...
Sadly, it appears that Jane Smiley and I are not destined to become book buddies, as her tastes don't quite seem to match up with mine. I enjoyed "Orientation" (Daniel Orozco), "The Stucco House" (Ellen Gilchrist), "Leg" (Steven Polansky), "The Ugliest House in the World" (Peter Ho Davies), "Birthmates" (Gish Jen), "Pagan Night" (Kate Braverman), "First, Body" (Melanie Rae Thon), and "The Artist" (Edward Falco). That's 8/20 of the stories. The rest were more-or-less duds, or worse-- I don't reme...
Favorite of the bunch:Daniel Orozco - OrientationPeter Ho Davies - The Ugliest House in the WorldEdward J. Delaney - The DrowningDon DeLillo - The Angel EsmeraldaEdward Falco - The ArtistWhich suggests I am a sucker for short stories with titles beginning with the definite article 'the,' but let it be known, other "The ____" short stories in the collection, Ellen Gilchrist - The Stucco House & Andrea Barrett - The Behavior of the Hawkweeds, left very little impression at all. But 4 out of 6 is a...
ExcellentPeter Ho Davies The Ugliest House in the WorldGish Jen BirthmatesJennifer C Cornell UndertowJoy Williams Honored GuestGreatEdward J Delaney The DrowningStephen Dobyns So I Guess You Know What I Told HimAndrew Cozine Hand JiveSteven Polansky LegThom Jones Way Down Deep in the Jungle
I like short stories. In fact I know I have read others in the past from the same series but from other years. In this book, my favorite story would have to be the first on with a "First day on the Job". Very funny and yet sometimes very true.
The short story First Day on the Job is hilarious.
Just finished the Ellen Gilchrist story, and for these 20 pages or so alone, I am extraordinarily glad that I picked this up for a coupla dollars at a used bookstore. I'd have bought it new.
I love reading short stories. Most of the ones in this version were quite well written.
Jane Smiley EditorOrientation Daniel Orozco Way down deep in the jungle Thom Jones Hand jive Andrew Cozine First, body Melaine Rae Thon
