Eggs for Young America

by Katherine L. Hester

Gathers eight tales of loss, broken families, and survival, including "Deadman's Float," "Alarm," "Grand Portage," and "Eggs for Young America"

Genres: Short Stories

188 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 1997

Reviews

[Cpm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decidedly mixed collection of stories of the downtrodden. Perhaps I'm wrong in my gut feeling and this author has been a housecleaner or a drug addict or another too-obviously beaten-down victim of the modern world, but i didn't feel it from reading these tales. One story worked, about a girl reconnecting with her long lost deadbeat boyfriend, but even parts of that rang false. I recently read a story by a 19th century Italian writer, (Virgi? something like that), social realism about a mine worker whose life is terrible and who dies a unheroic death at the unresolved end. I'm sure the writer had never worked as a miner, but he captured the futility of downtrodden life without resorting to cliche or painful overdramatization. I approve of Hester's message and take, but the execution falls short of this standard.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to the same thrift store a few times & every time, I would find this book. the 3rd time I finally decided to get it. not incredible, not terrible !

[Catherine Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wished stories wouldn't end

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short story collections, and this did not fail to disappoint! I have always been a fan of Southern Gothic themes.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous author. Every story could have been expanded into a novel. In some of the stories, I forgot that I was reading a short story and when it got to the end, I was surprised! I bought this book in an outlet store YEARS ago and am sorry that I didn't read it earlier. The author did a superb job in creating southern discontents, people on the fringe, people on the down and out. Really good!!!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of some just okay, and then some pretty good short stories of those working in blue collar America. This collection of stories reflects the working class lives of people who at times seem just able to hang on to what they have. I thought the portrayal of despondence, lethargy, anger, and fantasy or escape were well described.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was decent. The writing was decent. The stories were decent. I was pretty underwhelmed, though I wouldn't say there was anything BAD about it, there just wasn't anything quite good either. These stories entertained me (mildly) but they didn't change my life in any way or get me to think differently.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

maybe this just wasn't my cup of stewing, angst-ridden fiction, but it's never a good sign when it takes me 3 months to finish a book, 1000-page tomes notwithstanding.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sad stories that don't quite transcend their depressing characters and settings.