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zisi's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting how the quality of this annual anthology varies from year to year. Somehow I think it shouldn't. Of the thousands of short stories published annually, the best 20 or so, whoever are the judges, should meet a pretty damn high standard of excellence. This year (2013) the O. Henry Prize Stories are especially good. For one thing, two of the three judges (Edith Pearlman and Jim Shepard) are among my favorite contemporary short story writers (top five?). For another, it's great fun to discover recent stories by authors (Deborah Eisenberg, Kelly Link, Andrea Barrett) I've so admired in the past and whose newer stuff I find hard to come by (because the writers haven't anthologized them yet in their own one-author collections). Also stories I've read the past year and get to reread (Munro's "Leaving Maverley," Joan Silber's "Two Opinions"). And finally (and most gratifyingly), the discovery of new writers, or writers I've never heard of (Polly Rosenwaike, Tash Aw, Derek Palacio) who make me want to rush out and read their other work.
I'm especially grateful that Kelly Link, primarily an sf/fantasy author, is included (again) in a mainstream literary collection. I wish the judges (and series editor Laura Furman) would be more bold in their choices, and include more authors similar in sensibility to Link's. That's my one caveat, and why I've awarded four stars and not five to this anthology.
I'm especially grateful that Kelly Link, primarily an sf/fantasy author, is included (again) in a mainstream literary collection. I wish the judges (and series editor Laura Furman) would be more bold in their choices, and include more authors similar in sensibility to Link's. That's my one caveat, and why I've awarded four stars and not five to this anthology.
limdz's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first O. Henry collection I've read. Although I have heard mixed feelings about the O.Henry collections in the past, I think this one is great. Each piece is diverse and masterful, and I loved reading the notes by the authors at the end of the book. The 3 judges essays about their chosen favorites are energetic and wonderful. I can easily see any of these stories being heavily anthologized in the future. Highly recommended for an anthology of contemporary fiction.
zuhrsss's review against another edition
2.0
My favorites from this anthology:
The Visitor by Asako Serizawa
Two Opinions by Joan Silber
Tiger by Nalini Jones
The Visitor by Asako Serizawa
Two Opinions by Joan Silber
Tiger by Nalini Jones
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
There is something refreshing about reading a good book of short stories. It is different than reading a book of fiction and different from reading a book of nonfiction. Like eating a tray of delicious and varied horderves. You may not like every single story but with this many to choose from and with this great variety and quality, you will enjoy a lot.
callylines's review
4.0
Like all other short story collections, some of the stories in this were hit-and-miss like "Sinkhole", "The Particles" and "Your Duck Is My Duck". I suppose I wasn't the intended audience for them. Others though - most of the collection - I enjoyed immensely. Highlights include "The Summer People" (LOVE!), "Sugarcane" (the writing was sublime), "Sail", "The Visitor", "Aphrodisiac" and "Pérou". Those, I have hearts in my eyes for.
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