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the_enobee's review against another edition
2.0
Somehow these books always end up as a slog. I thought it might be a bad sign when I couldn't make it through the guest editor's intro (establish a more rigorous short story aesthetic? really?). And the annual hand-wringing over the state of the short story, the precious magazines that publish them, and technology's affect on the artist. Gag me with a spoon! However, there were some goodies. Peter Cameron's After the Flood was emotionally powerful yet had me laughing my ass off. TC Boyle's story also had some cool moments. If only all 20 stories had been simlarly striking.
amycrea's review against another edition
4.0
A few "meh" pieces, but overall much to like, including stories by new-to-me authors.
dcmr's review against another edition
3.0
Bright spots:
- At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners by Lauren Groff
- A Hand Reached Down to Guide Me by David Gates
- Mastiff by Joyce Carol Oates
- Long Tom Lookout by Nicole Cullen
- At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners by Lauren Groff
- A Hand Reached Down to Guide Me by David Gates
- Mastiff by Joyce Carol Oates
- Long Tom Lookout by Nicole Cullen
earlyandalone's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I was disappointed with the complete lack of diversity in this collection, both subject and style-wise, but also in terms of culture and race. That said, I did enjoy reading a good portion of the stories, so it wasn't a complete failure, but I would like to see more diversity in next year's collection for sure.
ladamic's review against another edition
2.0
Started at the beginning with 'Charity' and was overwhelmed by bad things going worse for the main character. Thought I'd flip to a random page and find something different. 'Long Tom Lookout' was more of the same, main character dealing with an unfair hand dealt to her with no light in sight. Was not brave enough to try a 3rd.
crfsanders's review against another edition
3.0
This was a mostly disappointing Best American. Few stories really grabbed my attention, and I actually gave up on several, which I very rarely do with short stories. I very much hope this wasn't actually the best America had to offer last year.
msjg's review against another edition
5.0
Craft lessons in every story, if that's what you're looking for.