You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
A review by nicole_reads_everything
Elbow Room by James Alan McPherson
4.0
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER: 1978
===
4.5 rounded down
If I truly went with the average of these stories, this would be a lower rating, but I was too impressed with the writing here and the collection overall to rate it lower. Super smart writing, and each short story is perfectly paced and displays a keen insight into the various characters. Even when I didn't particularly enjoy the stories, I appreciated them. There were a number that I didn't quite get, but I think that's a me issue.
Why I Like Country Music: 5 stars
A man thinking back to his youth and a crush he had on a girl in his class with whom he was able to square dance with on May Day. Lovely and poignant and the perfect length.
The Story of a Dead Man: 4 stars
A man from the South who makes his way to Chicago and "moves up in the world" as compared with his shiftless cousin who had a different path. A less compelling story for me personally, but brilliantly rendered.
The Silver Bullet: 3.5 stars
Boy tries to join a gang and finds the whole process more difficult than imagined. Appreciated the point and themes, and the writing was fabulous, but so far the least engaging.
The Faithful: 3 stars
An old preacher and a barber who cannot change with the times. Part of why I didn't enjoy this one is because the writing is so good that he really brought this stubborn man vividly to life and I found him so damn frustrating! Which is a credit to the prose, but I was annoyed the whole time.
Problems of Art: 4 stars
Story of a white lawyer assigned to represent a Black woman at risk of losing her license due to a alleged drunk driving incident. Interesting story and loved the ending.
The Story of a Scar: 3.5 stars
Woman in a doctor's waiting room tells the story of how she got a facial scar to a fellow patient. A bit depressing.
I Am an American: 3 stars
A couple abroad in London witness a robbery and are stood up by a friend of a friend. Didn't really much see the point to this one.
Widows and Orphans: 2.5 stars
Man watching an awards ceremony for his former lover/university student. Not sure I got this one...
A Loaf of Bread: 4 stars
Grocer caught charging Black neighborhood higher prices than in white neighborhoods and picketed until his wife convinces him to take a day to give away all his merchandise. Interesting concept, not totally sure I *got* it.
Just Enough for the City: 2 stars
Well written and I could tell that it was clever but it went RIGHT over my head...
A Sense of Story: 3 stars
Judge reviewing the transcript of a court case after the defendant admits to murder in the courtroom. Another one that I just don't think I ~got~.
Elbow Room: 5 stars
My favorite of the bunch, and I can see why this is the title story! A Black narrator and collector of stories tells a piece of the story of a white man and a Black woman's relationship. The style here was super unique and the writing blew me away.
===
4.5 rounded down
If I truly went with the average of these stories, this would be a lower rating, but I was too impressed with the writing here and the collection overall to rate it lower. Super smart writing, and each short story is perfectly paced and displays a keen insight into the various characters. Even when I didn't particularly enjoy the stories, I appreciated them. There were a number that I didn't quite get, but I think that's a me issue.
Why I Like Country Music: 5 stars
A man thinking back to his youth and a crush he had on a girl in his class with whom he was able to square dance with on May Day. Lovely and poignant and the perfect length.
The Story of a Dead Man: 4 stars
A man from the South who makes his way to Chicago and "moves up in the world" as compared with his shiftless cousin who had a different path. A less compelling story for me personally, but brilliantly rendered.
The Silver Bullet: 3.5 stars
Boy tries to join a gang and finds the whole process more difficult than imagined. Appreciated the point and themes, and the writing was fabulous, but so far the least engaging.
The Faithful: 3 stars
An old preacher and a barber who cannot change with the times. Part of why I didn't enjoy this one is because the writing is so good that he really brought this stubborn man vividly to life and I found him so damn frustrating! Which is a credit to the prose, but I was annoyed the whole time.
Problems of Art: 4 stars
Story of a white lawyer assigned to represent a Black woman at risk of losing her license due to a alleged drunk driving incident. Interesting story and loved the ending.
The Story of a Scar: 3.5 stars
Woman in a doctor's waiting room tells the story of how she got a facial scar to a fellow patient. A bit depressing.
I Am an American: 3 stars
A couple abroad in London witness a robbery and are stood up by a friend of a friend. Didn't really much see the point to this one.
Widows and Orphans: 2.5 stars
Man watching an awards ceremony for his former lover/university student. Not sure I got this one...
A Loaf of Bread: 4 stars
Grocer caught charging Black neighborhood higher prices than in white neighborhoods and picketed until his wife convinces him to take a day to give away all his merchandise. Interesting concept, not totally sure I *got* it.
Just Enough for the City: 2 stars
Well written and I could tell that it was clever but it went RIGHT over my head...
A Sense of Story: 3 stars
Judge reviewing the transcript of a court case after the defendant admits to murder in the courtroom. Another one that I just don't think I ~got~.
Elbow Room: 5 stars
My favorite of the bunch, and I can see why this is the title story! A Black narrator and collector of stories tells a piece of the story of a white man and a Black woman's relationship. The style here was super unique and the writing blew me away.