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A review by sharonbakar
The O. Henry Prize Stories 2017 by
4.0
4.5 rounded up.
Very much enjoyed this collection of stories. The format is similar to The Best American Short Stories series - 20 stories gleaned from literary publications in 2017, and fascinating notes at the back about this the stories were written.
Particular favourites: Kevin Barry's A Cruelty (an autistic boy has his routine of taking a train journey to a neighbouring town broken by a bully); Tahmima Anam's story Garments, about women factory workers attempting to take control of their lives; The Buddhist by Alan Rossi which highlights the impossibility of moving beyond attachment and the need for connection; and my very favourite Blue Dots by Keith Kisner with drugged-up housemates discussing visions with a Pentecostal preacher who knocks on the door - the story culminates in such a gorgeous transcendental image.
Very much enjoyed this collection of stories. The format is similar to The Best American Short Stories series - 20 stories gleaned from literary publications in 2017, and fascinating notes at the back about this the stories were written.
Particular favourites: Kevin Barry's A Cruelty (an autistic boy has his routine of taking a train journey to a neighbouring town broken by a bully); Tahmima Anam's story Garments, about women factory workers attempting to take control of their lives; The Buddhist by Alan Rossi which highlights the impossibility of moving beyond attachment and the need for connection; and my very favourite Blue Dots by Keith Kisner with drugged-up housemates discussing visions with a Pentecostal preacher who knocks on the door - the story culminates in such a gorgeous transcendental image.