The Eloquent Short Story: Varieties of Narration - An Anthology by Lucy Rosenthal

by Lucy Rosenthal

This gathering of twenty-four short stories shows the richness and vitality of the form. Each engaging, accessible story represents one of the many modes of storytelling now in our literature. Here are short stories in the guise of memoir or confession; written as a letter, a fable, a report; or accomplishing what we usually expect of a novel, an essay, a character study, a poem. A uniquely contemporary collection, yet with an eye on tradition, it includes long-revered as well as more recently heralded masters. Among them are Margaret Atwood, Ann Beattie, Robert Olen Butler, Truman Capote, Raymond Carver, Junot Diaz, Louise Erdrich, Ian Frazier, Randall Kenan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Rick Moody, Lorrie Moore, Alice Munro, Tim O'Brien, ZZ Packer, Alice Walker, Eudora Welty, Joy Williams, and Richard Yates. An introduction provides historical background and elaborates on the idea that although there may be a limited number of stories to tell, there are countless ways to tell them. Illuminating notes on the author's life and work precede each story.

Genres: Short Stories, Anthologies

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Channah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read most of it over the course of two semesters of college for two different classes. A good selection and many of the stories are enjoyable.

[Ronald Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at seven narrative approaches to short fiction, with a short description for each followed by two to four examples. Of the stories included, I found five to be exceptional additions to the literary record of human existence. One of these – Tim O’Brien’s “On the Rainy River” – I’ve read in other anthologies. The other four were exciting new discoveries for me: “Escapes” by Joy Williams; “Playing with Dynamite” by John Updike; “Snow” by Ann Beattie; and “The Shawl” by Louise Erdrich.

[Amy Kitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good short stories in here. My favs: Rick Moody's Demonology; Ian Frazier's Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Jhumpa Lahiri's Mrs. Sen's; and Z.Z. Packer's Brownies.

[ℜ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My ratings for each individual short story I read:

Toni Cade Bambara / Sweet Town - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gish Jen / The Water Faucet Vision - ⭐⭐⭐
Rick Moody / Demonology - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Joy Williams / Escapes - ⭐⭐
Lex Williford / Pendergast’s Daughter - ⭐⭐
Ann Beattie / Snow - ⭐⭐⭐
Junot Diaz / Nilda - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tim O'Brien / On The Rainy River - ⭐⭐⭐
Lorrie Moore / How to Become a Writer - ⭐⭐⭐
Jhumpa Lahiri / Mrs. Sen's - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Denis Johnson / Car Crash While Hitchhiking - ⭐⭐⭐
Z.Z. Packer / Brownies - ⭐⭐
Kathrine Kressmann Taylor / Address Unknown - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Louise Erdrich / The Shawl - ⭐⭐⭐⭐