A review by alexctelander
Our Story Begins: New and Selected Stories by Tobias Wolff

4.0

OUR STORY BEGINS BY TOBIAS WOLFF: In this new anthology, one of our most eminent short story writers, Tobias Wolff, offers up some old stories – some we’ve seen before – as well as new and fresh tales. Our Story Begins is a perfect introduction to the writing style and complex plot-minded mind of one Tobias Wolff.

This book is an in-depth look at the many facets of life and their most important part: people. Wolff doesn’t always look to tell a simple and complete story with a beginning, middle and end. Most of the stories in this collection offer more of an insight into a slice of this world or that life; a snapshot into a relationship or specific decision. The full consequences and events don’t always unfold, and we may not know as much as we might like with back story; nevertheless, we immediately become attached to these very real characters and the very human decisions they make.

Wolff takes readers on a journey they won’t soon forget with Our Story Begins, as they travel the world and meet some very strange characters, as well as playing a part in some very moving relationships and families. A required read and book deserving a space on everyone’s shelf as not just a sample of Wolff’s skill, but a supreme example of the contemporary short story.

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