Reviews

I read this bit by bit over 5+ years to figure out how I feel about short stories. A short story compilation can be tough going b/c so many of the stories are just so somber one after another (Not that there's anything wrong with somber writing, but It's A Mood). My favorites were: Saint Marie (Louise Erdrich), Patriotic (Janet Kauffman), You're Ugly Too (Lorrie Moore); Intensive Care (Lee Smith).

dancingprince's review against another edition

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Twas a text book for class, and just meh. A few good stories but overall a strange and unremarkable anthology.

sydneyelaine123's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

spidergirl502's review against another edition

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3.0

Just started.

simtara's review against another edition

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3.0

Very mixed collection of stories. Did not fall in love with any of them, though I did learn a lot about various writing styles.

babettevdw's review against another edition

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4.0

An anthology filled with a great variation of short stories. I had to purchase and read this book for my writing semester and I enjoyed flipping through it a lot. The stories jump from themes, none of them are the same and that also makes this anthology an incredibly good deal.

I really enjoyed reading Silver Water by Amy Bloom, Tiny, Smiling Daddy by Mary Gaitskill, Territory by David Leavitt, The Kind of Light That Shines on Texas by Reginald McKnight, The Secret Goldfish by David Means and Female Trouble by Antonya Nelson.

I definitely think this anthology has something for every reader, you probably won't like every single story but you'll find little nuggets that will stick with you for a long time.

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