Just gorgeous. ( )

Though well written, I didn't really like these short stories. The characters didn't engage me & I was often left with a feeling that the story didn't have any purpose. ( )

As I age, I've really come to appreciate the short story. They are so nice to read right before bed. The perfect length to read just one and then fall asleep.

This collection was just okay for me. I'll admit that after reading [b:Tenth of December|13641208|Tenth of December|George Saunders|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1349967540s/13641208.jpg|19256026], I've been a lot more particular. Saunders is very different in that he pushes the envelope more. Not all of his stories are strictly realistic; many are futuristic or have a more imaginative element. Munro is much more true to humanity as it exists right now.

The first and the last story in this collection were my favorites. Each story was set in Canada.
In the first, an older single woman believes she is corresponding with a man she briefly met, when in reality two teenagers are intercepting her letters. The latter was a very touching story about an older couple where the wife has dementia and falls for a companion in her nursing home. Munro excels at taking normal situations and showing the emotional sides of them - - somewhat reminiscent of [a:Elizabeth Strout|97313|Elizabeth Strout|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361387789p2/97313.jpg], but in a short format.

While this collection was more hit or miss than others for me, I still enjoyed it. ( )

Just like Marilynne Robinson, I think I need more time and exposure before I fully realize the value of Munro's work. I thoroughly enjoyed these stories, and I have the feeling that the themes of infidelity and terminal illness that they pinball between would yield a lot to analysis and reflection. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. ( )

I love Alice Munro's short stories.

I always have a hard time summarizing short story collections, since (obviously) there are multiple story lines/plots/characters.

But like many of her collections, this one left me feeling like I'd met people at a crossroads in their lives, that I was able to share in the significant moments or the one moment that changed the course of their entire life. ( )