McSweeney's Issue 39

McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern #39

by Dave Eggers (Editor), Benjamin Cohen (Contributor), Marco Kaye (Contributor)

With our first photo cover since Issue 5 (and a gorgeous one!), Issue 39 offers a whole lot to behold—Elmore Leonard’s latest Karen Sisco caper and Roberto Bolaño’s Neochilean road trip, J.T.K. Belle’s unkillable bovine and Benjamin Weissman’s Louella Tarantula, Julie Hecht on Marimekko dresses and Jess Walter on going to cardboard, and amazing, far-ranging fiction from Amelia Gray and Abi Maxwell and Yannick Murphy, too. (Plus some pretty incredible nonfiction on the fall of the Peacock Throne.) Don’t miss this one!

Table of Contents:

They All Stand Up and Sing by Julie Hecht
Benjamin Bucks by Jennie Erin Smith
The Neochileans by Roberto Bolaño
The Shah’s Man by Tom Barbash
Politics and Conscience by Václav Havel
Bumsters by E.C Osondu
Running by Tabitha Soren
Chick Killer by Elmore Leonard
Secret Language by Yannick Murphy
Fifty Ways to Eat Your Lover by Ameila Gray
Anthing Helps by Jess Walter
Running by Tabitha Soren
Louella Tarantula by Benjamin Weissman
Giant of the Sea by Abi Maxwell
Carlos the Impossible by J.T.K Belle

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Literature

300 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 2011

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Patrick McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

McSweeney's 39 is handsome hard bound volume with some great inserts of photos of people running in various settings by former MTV VJay Tabitha Soren (and current wife of Michael Lewis). However, the real attraction of this volume is that it contained stories by some of my favorite contemporary writers and more than a few surprises. I sold on the promise of a new Karen Sisco (from Out of Sight) story, "Chick Killer," from Elmore Leonard, fiction from Spokane native Jess Walter, "Anything Helps," an essay, "Politics and Conscience," from one of my political heroes Vaclav Havel, and a poem, The Neolchileans," from Roberto Bolano, of whom I have only read prose by. All of these satisfied my curiosity. However, I wasn't expecting such a strong collection with several excellent other pieces.There were only a few pieces that did not interest me-so overall it is one of the stronger collections I've read recently.

The two nonfiction pieces by Tom Barrash, "The Shah's Man," and Jennie Erin Smith, "Benjamin Bucks," were among the best in the book. "The Shah's Man" was a fascinating profile of former Nelson Rockefeller protege Bobby Armano who ended up as the Shah of Iran's right hand man. It follows his ousting from Iran and rise of Khomeini as well as the subsequent battles for recognition and support than end with death in exile. Along the way he is given exile by Panamanian President Jose Torrijos, who had a stake in having Carter remain President since Regan was unlikely to relinquish control of the Panama Canal to Panama. Smith's piece about a Mormon reptile smuggler is also a strange and fascinating story told from several exotic locations around the world about a subject that I had never considered before.

There were several other short stories that I enjoyed as well. For example, E.C. Osondu tells the story of a lonely widow that is taken advantage of while in holiday in Gambia Africa. The predators are "Bumsters" African men who live off rich female travelers. Benjamin Weissman has an entertaining and frequently funny story about family, death, and tarantulas in "Louella Tarantula." Abi Maxwell tells the story of two young Swedish girls coming to America to very different fates in "Giant Of The Sea." "Carlos The Impossible" is a mythic tale of a bull that cannot be defeated.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year, I attend the Selected Shorts story readings at the Getty. At the end of the program, the audience is asked to fill out comment cards and suggest stories for future readings. This year, I'll be ready with my recommendations from McSweeney's 39.

This is a really good, strong collection. Just about everything was good, but here are my particular favorites:

--Carlos the Impossible, by J.T.K. Belle (made me a little misty-eyed at the end)
--Fifty Ways to Eat Your Lover, by Amelia Gray
--They All Stand Up and Sing, by Julie Hecht
--Giant of the Sea, by Abi Maxwell

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to think that reading this thoughtful, worldly collection made up for the fact that I did pretty much zero travelling in 2016. It's good. I started reading it for "Louella Tarantula", having this strange desire at the time to read about tarantulas. I was not disappointed. "The Shah's Man" was not only compelling, but also taught me a bit about Iranian history. The Havel essay was meh. "Anything Helps" and "Secret Language" were each a punch to the gut. Check it out, especially if you want to learn about the world. Or tarantulas, or whatever.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some quality pieces in this issue of McSweeney's Quarterly. Tom Barbash on the Shah. Roberto Bolaño poem, "The Neochileans." Yannick Murphy - Secret Language. Amelia Gray's "Fifty Ways to Eat Your Lover" is absolutely magnificent. Elmore Leonard - Chick Killer is also good. And, finally, J.T.K. Belle's fantastic bull-fighting story, "Carlos the Impossible."

This issue is worth your time and money.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to like in this issue as both the nonfiction and fiction entries are great. From a non-fiction perspective, Jennie Erin Smith's "Benjamin Bucks," is a fascinating read into the life of an expat con-man in Africa. From a fiction perspective I really enjoyed Elmore Leonard's "Chick Killer," it was worth the price of admission on it's own. Add Carlos the Impossible, a story by J. T. K. Belle which made me laugh out loud, and you have some great writing.

[Cacomixl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid literary issue with some excellent nonfiction, "The Right-hand Man to the Shah of Iran", "Benjamin Bucks" on Ugandan con men, and Vaclav Havel's "Politics and Conscience" in particular. "Bumsters", "They All Stand Up and Sing", "Secret Language", "Giant of the Sea", and "Carlos the Impossible" were standout fiction pieces.

[Lynne Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favourite story was the one about the huge tarantula that appears one day to befriend and bring solace to a dying woman by crouching on her face. Or Fifty Ways to Eat Your Lover, which was simultaneously kick-ass, darkly funny, and poignant.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some strong stuff toward the end, especially "Carlos the Impossible" by J.T.K. Belles. Superb writing.

[Sammy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic mix of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The nonfiction pieces really stood out, including one about a a reptile smuggler and another about an American that becomes the right-hand man to the exiled shah of Iran.

[Aaron M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid collection. Especially liked:

The Shah’s Man - Tom Barbash
Chick Killer - Elmore Leonard
Carlos the Impossible - J.T.K Belle

[Johnpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading the flagship quarterly from McSweeney's religiously for nine years. Given everything I have missed, it's amazing to me that I haven't missed a single issue in nearly a decade, that I continue to pack and unpack them for the purpose of accompanying me in a string of apartments. Issue 39 is a reminder of why I attach such fetishistic value to these books.

This issue is divided fairly evenly between fiction and non-fiction, the non-fiction representing a smattering of speeches, essays and investigative journalism. I've been craving just this, so I found it very satisfying. The short stories are especially good, particularly the opening and closing stories of the volume. The former made me want to rush out and buy one dozen Marimekko dresses while the latter is a prime example of the magical realism McSweeney's does better than anyone. A special shout-out to Abi Maxwell. I'm amazed that "Giant of the Sea," is only her second published piece. I look forward to reading the rest of her story cycle.

The book features the first photographic cover in the series as far back as I can remember, and it's a beautiful vivid endeavor. The cover design is echoed somewhat awkwardly in the interior, but I find it successful overall. The cover jumps out of your hands, and the back features the words of Vaclav Havel, a political philosopher that I love despite having almost nothing in common with the former Czech president.

This is McSweeney's at its best and truest to form. I recommend this as a jumping-on point for folks that have yet to latch on to this excellent fiction anthology quarterly.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

this issue of mcsweeneys is more notable for its non-fiction than fiction, in particular for the timely inclusion of a long essay from vaclav havel so close to the great man's passing. that and the piece about reptile smugglers and con men in uganda were the most compelling. among the fiction, 'louella tarantula' (about a son losing his mother to cancer, though also about a spider) had personal resonance but probably 'secret language' and 'giant of the sea' were probably favorites.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Havel essay and the nonfiction work by Tom Babash, but the real gems for me were the short stories at the end of the book. I sobbed a bit during "Anything Helps" by Jess Walter, smiled a whole lot through "Louella Tarantula" by Benjamin Weissman, and rooted for the bull (and was ultimately satisfied) in J. T. K. Belle's "Carlos The Impossible." Another great issue, McSweeny's...I'll be renewing my subscription!

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice solid issue of McSweeney's, I liked the transition for nonfiction/reportage to fiction as the issue progressed. And, even better, this is the second straight issue of the quarterly without problems with the binding.

[Arjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Bucks by Jennie Erin Smith, The Shah's Man (Tom Barbash, non-fiction about the last Shah's page) and Vaclac Havel's address stood out for me.

This time there are two mini foto album inserts with nice images to spice things up.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid issue of McSweeney's. I really enjoyed "Benjamin Bucks", "Bumsters", "Secret Language", and "Louella Tarantula". Really the only two I didn't really care for were "The Neochileans" and "Politics and Conscience".

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is indispensable here: Václav Havel’s essay, “Politics and Conscience.” What is good: Jess Walter’s “Anything Helps.” And what is great fun: Elmore Leonard’s “Chick Killer,” his return of Karen Sisco.

[D'Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue seemed heavier on the non-fiction than fiction. The piece about the Shah of Iran was really interesting. Benjamin Weissman’s "Louella Tarantula" was probably my favorite story if only for the last scene. And I really enjoyed "They All Stand Up and Sing" by Julie Hecht.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always great to read a Havel piece. I also loved Benjamin Weissman’s Louella Tarantula so much. It's the type of language that sounds best read aloud.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty well rounded McSweeney's. I especially liked the last piece on Bullfighting.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don't know why, but it wasn't my favorite issues...some issues just grab me and i pore over them while some feel like more of a struggle.

[Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great. MSweeney's compiles the greatest short stories AND thoughtprovoking essays. Must read for any literary enthusiasts.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books are always a good read...thanks Luke.

[Nikol]

gave up

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anything Helps
Secret Language

[Rand Renfrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

McSweeney's never ceases to amaze me, they never make a mistake, every collection is fantastic. Even still, this one is one of the better ones.