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A review by savaging
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis by Lydia Davis
4.0
I will be honest: sometimes these stories maddened me. Pages and pages of a linguistic analysis of 3rd-graders' get well cards? All these 'stories' where nothing happens -- just one mildly interesting observation? This is the award-winning hero of brave literary virtuosity?
And then other times I was completely in love. The apex for me was the piece on Kafka preparing dinner.
But ultimately its stars come because Davis is a fantastic writer for other writers to read. Especially writers who feel stuck, like I did. I don't recommend this whole book (730 pages!) -- try a smaller collection (my favorite may be Samuel Johnson is Indignant). Her rule-breaking is so matter-of-fact, so nonchalant and obvious, that it makes writing seem like something humans just do. It hushes all those 'you-can't-do-this' voices for a minute.
And then other times I was completely in love. The apex for me was the piece on Kafka preparing dinner.
But ultimately its stars come because Davis is a fantastic writer for other writers to read. Especially writers who feel stuck, like I did. I don't recommend this whole book (730 pages!) -- try a smaller collection (my favorite may be Samuel Johnson is Indignant). Her rule-breaking is so matter-of-fact, so nonchalant and obvious, that it makes writing seem like something humans just do. It hushes all those 'you-can't-do-this' voices for a minute.