Ten Modern American Short Stories

by David A. Sohn

Introduction by David A. SohnA Turn with the Sun by John KnowlesThe Scarlet Letter by Jean StaffordThe Valentine by James JonesA Sense of Shelter by John UpdikeMichael Egerton by Reynolds PriceSucker by Carson McCullersAntaeus by Borden DealA Field of Rice by Pearl S. BuckA Night of Vengeance by Paul Darcy BolesBounty Hunters by Don Trompeter

Genres: Short Stories

Paperback

First published March 1, 1984

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection features some excellent descriptive writing that captures a mostly-twentieth-century mood. High school love, the awkwardness of youth, people's relationships with eachother and with nature - all are explored with penetrating focus. There's even a harrowing story about life in Mao's China, and another on life aboard a Roman slave vessel that really socked me in the gut. Those two in particular come near the end of the collection and are a breath of fresh air after a wave of stories that strictly take place in the US. If you're looking for a good short story collection to pass the time on the bus or on a beach somewhere, or if you want to experience ten distinct moods captured in their own individual snow globes, this is a pretty solid bet.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

7 short stories about edgy teenagers hitting puberty, 1 about a Chinese guy's love for rice, 1 about Greek slaves on a ship, and 1 about two guys shooting wolves for fun
Either this collection didn't age well (it's from the 60s) or it wasn't good in the first place. Parts of it were fine but I hardly remember which ones