R. S. Gwynn

This is a good anthology of some of the better known short stories by some of the better known short story writers. I'd say that most students of literature have read at least two or three of these short stories at some point in their education, and they have most likely heard of the rest of the stories or else are familiar with the authors. If not, this book is a good way to gain that familiarity, since these short stories are often assumed to be a common background for people discussing show more literature.

One of the features of this book, compared to other anthologies I own or have read, is the diversity of the authors featured. There are many different ethnicities and time periods included, though there is a bias towards American writers. Presumably, the bias is because the publisher is an American company and the anthology is most likely intended for American students.

I'm not really interested in writing short stories myself or in the process of writing, but I did find the "perspectives" (short essays by the authors about writing) and the section about critical approaches to short stories to be quite interesting.

I picked this book up by chance, because it was left behind in the theatre of the museum where I work, but I am quite happy that I did. Some of the stories, such as "The Yellow Wallpaper" or "The Metamorphosis", I'd never read, but had been aware of for a very long time. I'd been intending to get around to reading them eventually but never felt like reading online versions and they weren't included in the few anthologies I had picked up. Others like Camus's "The Guest", Joyce's "The Dead", or Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" were stories I had read a decade ago in high school and remembered enjoying, but had never had a version on my shelves, even though I recall them often.

Hopefully the owner of the book doesn't come to claim it in the next ten days so that I can take it home to keep instead of just reading it during slow periods at my desk. show less

An excellent anthology, containing a biography of each author chosen, a single representative story (occasionally two), and a brief essay from that author. Well worth a permanent place in the library. Only sadness is that it is only in a paperback edition.

A pretty solid collection of Western poetry beginning from antiquity and running through modern times. Although it can be hard to really get an appreciation for an author's voice from one isolated poem, this book gave me a lot of poets to look up and read more from.

Orientation - Daniel Orozco

I really love the satirical look at the hum-drum office life. It reminds me slightly of American Pyscho, where there's all this crap under the surface you wouldn't normally expect.

The Fat Girl

I don't really feel bad for the protagonist. Yes, it all started because of her mother, but she allowed this to happen to herself. She allowed her weight to be the defining focus of her life despite the fact that no one outside her mother's side of the family ever seemed to show more care. When she was fat, she felt ashamed of herself. When she was skinny, she alienated herself from herself and those around her because she had defined herself by her weight and, due to the fact that many of them didn't know her when she was fat, or didn't reference her former fatness, she felt they didn't know her. If you think you are what your weight is, then I really don't have any sympathy for you; how can you expect people to love you for what's inside, if you can't see beyond what's outside?.

How to Talk to Your Mother - Lorrie Moore

Meh. All it is, is a typical life told in reverse. Nothing brilliantly interesting.

In the American Society - Gish Jen

I really enjoyed this look at American life told through the eyes of a foreigner. The father's perspective of American business was somewhat interesting, though I was pleased with his perceived growth in the end of the story.

Woman Hollering Creek - Sandra Cisneros

Very typical of Cisneros, but very enjoyable. The main character was relatable, as was her life.

Look on the Bright Side - Dagoberto Gilb

A strange story that I'm sure had some kind of point, but was really just amusing as a character study.

Girl - Jamaica Kincaid

A satirical list of things to be/do in order to be a good girl/woman/wife. Very amusing. show less