I have admired Alice Munro's writing for a while, so I was eager to read her latest collection of stories Too Much Happiness.
The first few stories were wonderful I particularly found Dimensions, Wenlock Edge and Free Radicals some of the best of Munro's stories. Each started out ordinary but then took a twist I wasn't expecting.
However, when I got to Woods and Too Much Happiness, the two last stories in the collection, I wasn't as impressed. I was especially surprised by Too Much Happiness since it is the title story. It was just a little unclear and jumped around too much - and I think there was a typo of the name in two places in my edition which just distracted and confused me.
I would still recommend this collection, and her others.
Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
I have been a fan of David Sedaris for years. I look forward to new essays and every Christmas revisit Holidays on Ice.
His latest offering is a departure from his essays as he takes on fiction, but Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is told in true Sedaris fashion. The stories use animals, yet the behavior and topics are truly human. Some of the stories are quite graphic and sordid, but all are funny.
From the two storks talking about their children asking where babies come from (the mice bring them, duh!) to the new lab rat who blames the dying lab rat's illness on his bad attitude, they are smart and witty.
This book has gotten some mixed reviews, so it's probably not for the uptight and unimaginative
His latest offering is a departure from his essays as he takes on fiction, but Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is told in true Sedaris fashion. The stories use animals, yet the behavior and topics are truly human. Some of the stories are quite graphic and sordid, but all are funny.
From the two storks talking about their children asking where babies come from (the mice bring them, duh!) to the new lab rat who blames the dying lab rat's illness on his bad attitude, they are smart and witty.
This book has gotten some mixed reviews, so it's probably not for the uptight and unimaginative
Sunday, August 23, 2009
I'll Fly Away
I am reading the new collection of stories from the women of York prison, I'll Fly Away, edited by Wally Lamb.
It is such an engrossing and compelling set of stories. The rawness of the women and the courage they show by sharing these stories is inspiring.
It is such an engrossing and compelling set of stories. The rawness of the women and the courage they show by sharing these stories is inspiring.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Olive Kitteridge
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is a collection of short stories that are all connected through a small Maine town and the title character, Olive Kitteridge.
The stories tend to focus on people in their 50s through 80s, so while all are interesting and very well written I found them a bit depressing. None of the characters in their "twilight" years seems very happy and there are many examples of strife and loneliness in their relationships.
I still recommend it as it is a wonderfully written selection of stories, however be prepared for some potential melancholy feelings to arise.
The stories tend to focus on people in their 50s through 80s, so while all are interesting and very well written I found them a bit depressing. None of the characters in their "twilight" years seems very happy and there are many examples of strife and loneliness in their relationships.
I still recommend it as it is a wonderfully written selection of stories, however be prepared for some potential melancholy feelings to arise.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
When You are Engulfed in Flames
After saving David Sedaris' latest collection of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, as my final book for 2008, I wasn't disappointed.
As always, Sedaris' is in rare form with essays about his various escapades in New York, London, France and Tokyo.
I had read or heard some of them before, but reading them as a collection is always fun.
Monster Mash about his experience at a medical examiners office and The Smoking Section about his attempts to quit smoking, were two of my favorites.
As always, Sedaris' is in rare form with essays about his various escapades in New York, London, France and Tokyo.
I had read or heard some of them before, but reading them as a collection is always fun.
Monster Mash about his experience at a medical examiners office and The Smoking Section about his attempts to quit smoking, were two of my favorites.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
No One Belongs Here More Than You
I finished Miranda July's book of short stories No One Belongs Here More Than You. This was my first collection of July's stories I've read (I did see one of her short films on Wolphin) and it wasn't what I expected.
Her stories and characters are eclectic, almost bizarre.
One "Swim Coach" is about a woman who teaches a group of seniors how to swim...even though there's not a pool for miles. She lays out bowls of water and the "students" put their faces in the bowl and "swim" around the kitchen.
The last story "How to Tell Stories to Children" doesn't end the way I thought it would, but it is touching and thought-provoking.
Her stories and characters are eclectic, almost bizarre.
One "Swim Coach" is about a woman who teaches a group of seniors how to swim...even though there's not a pool for miles. She lays out bowls of water and the "students" put their faces in the bowl and "swim" around the kitchen.
The last story "How to Tell Stories to Children" doesn't end the way I thought it would, but it is touching and thought-provoking.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Unaccustomed Earth
I just finished Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri and it was another excellent collection of stories by one of my favorite authors. Definitely 5 stars!
I had read some of them before but it was fun to read them as a collection.
Three stories about Hema and Kashuik that were published together in this collection and while I had already read two of them, it was great to read them in order. The third one was new and the ending was kind of crushing. But still worth reading.
Lahiri is at her best in her short stories and while the themes are the same or similar, each has a different spin to make it memorable.
I had read some of them before but it was fun to read them as a collection.
Three stories about Hema and Kashuik that were published together in this collection and while I had already read two of them, it was great to read them in order. The third one was new and the ending was kind of crushing. But still worth reading.
Lahiri is at her best in her short stories and while the themes are the same or similar, each has a different spin to make it memorable.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Unaccustomed Earth - Part 1
I started reading Jhumpa Lahiri's new collection of short stories, Unaccustomed Earth.
I've read three of the stories so far and they were fabulous. I'm trying to read this slowly and savor each story!
I've read three of the stories so far and they were fabulous. I'm trying to read this slowly and savor each story!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Gift from the Sea
I've been meaning to write about Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Linbergh for a while now. It is such an amazing gift of a novel. It was written many years ago but it is filled with timeless wisdom. A different chapter will probably resonate with you with each reading, which is what makes it so breathtakingly beautiful. I want to read it everyday to remind myself of the beauty of words and to be reassured that I am not alone in my feelings or fears.
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