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A review by bittersweet_symphony
The Best American Short Stories 1998 by Katrina Kenison, Garrison Keillor
4.0
A solid collection, but lacking in variety: I wanted to see more experimental, fantastic, or surreal elements in some of the stories.
Top 3 stories in no particular order:
---"Body Language" by Diane Schoemperlen. My own body has never meant more to me. This piece has shaken me from my aversion to material, or corporeal interpretations for what matters in life. "He does not know if she still loves him. If not, he does not know when she stopped. He wonders what you do with love when you're done with it--where do you put it, where does it go, how do you make sure it stays there?"
---"Flower Children" by Maxine Swann. I would love to turn this into a short film. It is a poetic juxtaposition of between the innocence of children and the adult events surrounding them. The prose has a stacatto which fades into a sadness. It remains pleasant.
---"Would You Know It Wasn't Love" by Hester Kaplan. I felt the loneliness of fatherhood. "'You didn't just leave because you didn't feel safe. What is this shit about safety? This has always been your problem, Rosie, you never feel you have to stick with anything, you can run home anytime you like. Your mother and I are to blame for that too, I'll admit. You come, we take you in."
Top 3 stories in no particular order:
---"Body Language" by Diane Schoemperlen. My own body has never meant more to me. This piece has shaken me from my aversion to material, or corporeal interpretations for what matters in life. "He does not know if she still loves him. If not, he does not know when she stopped. He wonders what you do with love when you're done with it--where do you put it, where does it go, how do you make sure it stays there?"
---"Flower Children" by Maxine Swann. I would love to turn this into a short film. It is a poetic juxtaposition of between the innocence of children and the adult events surrounding them. The prose has a stacatto which fades into a sadness. It remains pleasant.
---"Would You Know It Wasn't Love" by Hester Kaplan. I felt the loneliness of fatherhood. "'You didn't just leave because you didn't feel safe. What is this shit about safety? This has always been your problem, Rosie, you never feel you have to stick with anything, you can run home anytime you like. Your mother and I are to blame for that too, I'll admit. You come, we take you in."