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tzurky's review against another edition
5.0
This is the opposite of a timely book, in that it is both timeless and extremely dated. It's timeless because it's a series of stories about growing up (as the title states) and that is a process that everyone has to undergo, even if everyone undergoes it very differently. And it's dated because most of the narrators grew up in the fifties or close to the middle of the last century (I think the latest I registered was Nixon's presidency). Therefore, their experiences are inextricably linked to that time period, from the attitudes of people towards everything from politics, to teenagers, to gender, to the experience of being 'ethnic' - for instance one story discusses the experience of black teenagers going to an all-white swimming pool. The stories couldn't be further from the 'pulse of the times' if they tried. It is also a series of short stories focused entirely on personal experience, with no references being made to broader, structural issues (you can read some between the lines but only if you try very very very hard). So, if you're looking for a book to reflect current real world events and especially issues and attitudes - this definitely isn't it.
Nevertheless, I heartily recommend it for anyone looking to read a series of extremely diverse and well-written coming of age stories, since the protagonists are almost all teenagers recounting or reflecting on the most important experiences that shaped them. Even the stories told from an adult perspective are focused solely on one defining event experienced as a child or teenager. In fact, it is the best example of coming-of-age stories I have ever read. It is also the most diverse collection of stories I have come across (far outstripping Nguyen's work). And I am referring here to diversity of experience and not just ethnic background of the authors (although the backgrounds are certainly very diverse as well). Each story is absolutely unique in the perspective it offers, the writing, the characters portrayed and I dearly loved each and every one of them. I haven't yet come across a collection where I would evenly rate the stories but here almost every story is worth 5 stars. They are some of the most intimate, moving and well-written stories I have ever read (alongside some of Kate Chopin's best) and I would recommend this collection to everyone (except people looking for a collection of essays or stories on present-day issues).
Nevertheless, I heartily recommend it for anyone looking to read a series of extremely diverse and well-written coming of age stories, since the protagonists are almost all teenagers recounting or reflecting on the most important experiences that shaped them. Even the stories told from an adult perspective are focused solely on one defining event experienced as a child or teenager. In fact, it is the best example of coming-of-age stories I have ever read. It is also the most diverse collection of stories I have come across (far outstripping Nguyen's work). And I am referring here to diversity of experience and not just ethnic background of the authors (although the backgrounds are certainly very diverse as well). Each story is absolutely unique in the perspective it offers, the writing, the characters portrayed and I dearly loved each and every one of them. I haven't yet come across a collection where I would evenly rate the stories but here almost every story is worth 5 stars. They are some of the most intimate, moving and well-written stories I have ever read (alongside some of Kate Chopin's best) and I would recommend this collection to everyone (except people looking for a collection of essays or stories on present-day issues).
qqjj's review
2.0
As with many anthologies, a bit of a mixed bag. Some were stand alone short stories or essays, but others were excerpts of longer works. It does have a wide sampling by American authors of various backgrounds: some of whom are authors I have read independently and love, others for whom I kept meaning to check out, and some whom I've never heard of. I now have a couple of new authors on my to-read list, but also some who I'll probably not pick up.
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