On the basis of what we last shared, I thought revisiting the short story might be not only enjoyable, but we could also share a few writers of this genre who are expecially good at their craft.
I was delighted to read author, Marianne Wiggins review of Our Story Begins by Tobias Wolff, an author I have long admired, in the (Easter) Sunday 3/23/08 LA Times Book Review section ---and what a review this was! She does what a reviewer aspires to do: she writes such a strong, positive review that the reader wants to fly out of the house and get to the library and/or bookstore as fast as possible.
She loves his writing, adores his subject choices and has a great appreciation of his many 30 years as an author. She refers to Wolf as a "master mason" and his language, very ordinary, is the kind that just pulls the reader in because it is the sort that people around us happen to use. Wiggins, Salman Rushdie's former wife, has a few short story collections ('92, '93?) of her own so I am looking into locating these. However, her review of Wolff's new short stories was particularly glowing: Wiggins points out that Wolff's mastery of the craft compares to Poe, Hemingway, J. D.Salinger and Raymond Carver.
Naturally, this review is a must-read, but I also began thinking...what other short story crafters should we discuss?
Waiting to hear of other short story writers recommendations you'd care to share here. I may have left two off the kings, J. D. Salinger and Raymond Carver from my list earlier this month; Ray Bradbury, Katherine Mansfield. additionally, swimming in my head are the names of Jack London, Paul Theroux, Bernard Malamud, David Bezmozgis -just a few others who spring to mind. Let's hear some of your favorites - love to learn about new and different writers...thanks.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Ana--
I am so glad that you are continuing to promote the short story genre! Inspired by your blog, I read Anthony Doerr's "The Shell Collector." Wow, what an amazing--no, MESMERIZING-- collection of short stories! I am especially taken with "The Shell Collector," "The Caretaker," and "Mkondo." These stories strike your imagination, your interest, and your heart like bolts of lightening and their energy resonates with you long after you close the book. I hope the new Tobias Wolf book you recommend is as good! Thanks again.
Ana,
Like Mr./Ms. Anonymous, I too am glad you continue to call attention to short stories. But what about championing other underappreciated genres of fiction--like novellas, graphic novels, or stories written in poem form? I am interested to read your comments on these . . .
Post a Comment