The Best American Short Stories 2002

by Sue Miller (Editor), Katrina Kenison

Since its inception in 1915, the Best American series has become the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction. For each volume, a series editor reads pieces from hundreds of periodicals, then selects between fifty and a hundred outstanding works. That selection is pared down to the twenty or so very best pieces by a guest editor who is widely recognized as a leading writer in his or her field. This unique system has helped make the Best American series the most respected -- and most popular -- of its kind.

This year's Best American Short Stories features a rich mix of voices, from both intriguing new writers and established masters of the form like Michael Chabon, Edwidge Danticat, Richard Ford, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Arthur Miller. The 2002 collection includes stories about everything from illicit love affairs to family, the immigrant experience and badly behaved children -- stories varied in subject but unified in their power and humanity. In the words of this year's guest editor, the best-selling author Sue Miller, "The American short story today [is] healthy and strong . . . These stories arrived in the nick of time . . . to teach me once more what we read fiction for."

Foreword --
Introduction / Sue Miller --
Along the frontage road / Michael Chabon --
The sugar-tit / Carolyn Cooke --
The red ant house / Ann Cummins --
Seven / Edwidge Danticat --
A house on the plains / E.L. Doctorow --
Puppy / Richard Ford --
The heifer / Melissa Hardy --
Zilkowski's theorem / Karl Iagnemma --
Nobody's business / Jhumpa Lahiri --
Digging / Beth Lordan --
In case we're separated / Alice Mattison --
Billy goats / Jill McCorkle --
Watermelon days / Tom McNeal --
Nachman from Los Angeles / Leonard Michaels --
Bulldog / Arthur Miller --
The rug / Meg Mullins --
Family furnishings / Alice Munro --
Surrounded by sleep / Akhil Sharma --
Love and hydrogen / Jim Shepard --
Aftermath / Mary Yukari Waters --
Contributor's notes --
100 other distinguished stories of 2001 --
Editorial addresses of American and Canadian magazines publishing short stories

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, Collections, Literature, Contemporary, Short Story Collection

375 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Sue Miller is an American novelist and short story writer who has written a number of best-selling novels. She graduated from Radcliffe College.

Reviews

[Amy in the Desert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of stories. Favorites are:

Along the frontage road
The heifer
Nobody's business
Digging
In case we're separated
Billy goats
Watermelon days
Family furnishings

[Ayelet Waldman]

I don't know what possessed me to suddenly reread these old stories, but I love Sue Miller. And there are some terrific stories in here, notably, my husband's.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these short stories one a day.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cool rustic collection. The tone is quite different from the other Best American Short Stories I've read, there's a heavy undertone of loss, not deprivation, but desolation and boy do these stories sting, even the most hopeful of them. My best in the collection are Along The Frontage Road - Michael Chabon, Seven - Edwidge Danticat, Puppy - Richard Ford, The Heiffer - Melissa Hardy, Watermelon Days - Tom McNeal, Family Furnishings - Alice Munroe & Surrounded by Sleep - Akhil Sharma

[Ann Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the volumes in the "Best American Short Stories" anthologies. This particular volume contained a hidden gem. A short story ("Family Furnishings") by Alice Munro (my all-time favorite short-story writer) wraps up with the main character sitting in a drugstore and musings about the writer she will become.

"I did not think of the story that I would write about Alfrida -- not of that in particular -- but of the work I wanted to do, which seemed more like grabbing something out of the air than like constructing stories. The cries of the crowd [from the ballgame on the radio] came to me like big heartbeats, full of sorrows. Lovely, formal-sounding waves, with their distant, almost inhuman assent and lamentations. This was what I wanted, this was what I thought I had to pay attention to, this was how I wanted my life to be."

The ending caught my attention when I read the story. How could any reflections about writing not? But when I read the endnote in the anthology about Munro, those lines took on an even greater significance. She had told the anthology's editors, Sue Miller and Katrina Kenison, that the story featured "an entirely personal final bit in the drugstore." Knowing that the character's musings about what it means to be a writer drew upon something in Munro's own life made those words all the more powerful.

I thought I'd flag that autobiographical note for you, in case you have the opportunity to read the stories in this collection which, by the way, I highly recommend.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good ones here - "Nobody's Business" (Jhumpa Lahiri), "A House On the Plains" (E.L. Doctorow), "Zilkowski's Theorem" (Karl Iagnemma), "Nachman From Los Angeles" (Leonard Michaels), and "Love and Hydrogen" (Jim Shepard).

But there are also a few that just didn't impress me.

[Prasanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories...particularly liked short story by Akhil Sharma.

[Olga · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I have loved "Nobodies Business" by Jhumpa Lampiri

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good year for BASS. Lots of terrific pieces, and only two or three true clunkers. My favorites, in rough order of preference:
* Jhumpa Lahiri - "Nobody's Business" (amazing)
* E. L. Doctorow - "A House on the Plains"
* Richard Ford - "Puppy"
* Michael Chabon - "Along the Frontage Road"
* Jim Shepard - "Love and Hydrogen"
* Alice Munro - "Family Furnishings"
* Alice Mattison - "In Case We're Separated"

And some honorable mentions:
* Akhil Sharma - "Surrounded by Sleep"
* Arthur Miller - "Bulldog"
* Edwidge Danticat - "Seven"
* Karl Iagnemma - "Zilkowski's Theorem"
* Meg Mullins - "The Rug"

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology collection is consistently amazing and never disappoints. The 2002 collection is no exceptions.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked most of the stories, particularly the one by Michael Chabon, who is becoming one of my favorite authors

[tenseManatee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me forever. I don’t know it seemed it was early twentieth century in half of the stories and everyone was up to their neck in mud and water and outhouses. Not my favorite issue.

[Tony Goriainoff]

Bought in Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain.
August 27, 2024

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure why I keep reading, or wanting to read, these "Best American" anythings-because they never seem to be designed for me, I'm never very impressed. Granted, I've only read this and multiple of the "Best American Comics" series, but I LOVE comics, and somehow I hardly ever like very many of the ones chosen. Which was the same story here. Honestly, all of these seemed to be chosen for older women who had married (unhappily) and had children. Which is not me.
None of these stood out to me very much. The audio only had 8 of the 20, so really I didn't even get half. I hate abridgments, and feel weird about not having this volume "finished" because of it. Still, if these stories were indications, it might be a waste of my personal pleasure.
I had the largest dislike for "Puppy", in my opinion seemed to be kind of lazy and irresponsible people trying to feel better about themselves, but they weren't convincing me. Most of the stories happened without me having much of any reaction at all-maybe slightly entertained, but I kept waiting for more. There were some that made such a small impression on me I couldn't even tell you the plot of them anymore, and I listened to them all less than a week ago I think. Most of them were about unlikable people.
My favorites would probably be "Surrounded by Sleep" by Akhil Sharma (mainly I loved how realistic and endearing it was that this boy prayed to Superman and thought that his god looked like Clark Kent when he spoke to him) and Alice Munro's "Family Furnishings"(she paints a very vivid portrait of Alfeda and it feels real, especially the betrayal the narrator "innocently" executes) , but to be honest, I can't remember how either one ended, and that bothers me. That shows to me that they really didn't hit very deep.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the better Best American collections I've read. There weren't any stories I disliked, though as usual, some were far more memorable than others. Here are the gold star stories:

E.L. Doctorow's "A House on the Plains"--So creepy and well-done in its incremental reveal of disturbing information. Pitch perfect voice.

Melissa Hardy's "The Heifer"--Not as striking as some of the others, but great prose and a bit of comedy, too.

Alice Mattison's "In Case We're Separated"--A more traditional relationship story, but very well-done, with a poignant ending.

Jill McCorkle's "Billy Goats"--Worth a read for the communal narration.

Alice Munro's "Family Furnishings"--Of course. And extra intriguing for its glimpse into autobiographical details of this master's life. The finest story of the collection, in my opinion.

The stories by Akhil Sharma, Mary Yukari Waters, and Tom McNeal--all excellent family stories. Quite different from one another, but I enjoyed all three.

Jim Shepard's "Love and Hydrogen"--Sent me straight to Google afterwards to read up on the Hindenburg disaster. Probably my second favorite of the collection. How does he do it?! He enters the past and makes it new, fantastical, and wonderfully human. No small feat when one chooses to write about already word-saturated events.

Also liked Arthur Miller and Leonard Michaels' stories. So, actually, I suppose I'd recommend almost all of the stories.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stand-out stories:

"The Heifer" by Melissa Hardy—A dark, and at times darkly funny tale of arranged marriage gone wrong.

"Nobody's Business" by Jhumpa Lahiri—It's hard to pinpoint exactly what I like about this one, but it's something about the emotions become almost unnaturally heightened, almost as if it's a Henry James ghost story, when there is in fact nothing supernatural going on.

"Digging" by Beth Lordan—A somewhat dizzying tale of romance and tragedy, spanning two families and multiple generations.

"In Case We're Separated" by Alice Mattison—Despite the somewhat familiar premise, the story goes to some unexpected places, including the ending.

"Watermelon Days" by Tom McNeal—Again, a story that you think you know until it turns out you don't.

"Nachman from Los Angeles" by Leonard Michaels—A brilliantly manic story, so long as you skip the horribly forced and completely unnecessary first paragraph.

"Love and Hydrogen" by Jim Shepard—Setting a story on the Hindenburg is a risky move, since the reader already knows how it ends. But that foreknowledge takes nothing away from this beautifully sad story.

[Brandon O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an audio recording of 8 of the 20 stories contained in the Best American Short Stories 2002 book. One cassette was broken, so I really only listed to 6 stories. They are much like reading the book - some you really like, and some you don't. Most here were keepers.
I've read Michael Chabon before and liked his style, if not the story. His story Along the Frontage Road was wonderful. This dealt with a man taking his son out to select a pumpkin and some characters they meet there. The other one I would rate as exceptional was Surrounded by Sleep by Akhil Sharma - about a boy who is dealing with his older brother vegetating in the hospital after hitting his head diving into a shallow pool.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I listened to this on talking book I only read 8 of the 20 stories. If these stories are any indication of the other 12, I really want to read them. Unfortunately we no longer have the print version at my library.



I love short stories. I can fit one in while I wait; sometimes I can hear the whole story as I drive to my next destination. I know that not eveyone finds short stories appealing, but I try hard to convince folks to try them.



These were especially good. The readers were excellent and the story topics intriguing. I highly recommend you give these a listen.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice collection. My favorite was Richard Ford's "Puppy," followed by a clamoring of runners-up like "The Rug," "Along the Frontage Road," "Nachman from Los Angeles," etc etc.
I didn't like Sue Miller's introduction at all, which begins "I was forced to write short stories by the exigencies of my life at a certain moment." Oh well, that's the worst writing in the book. Otherwise, worth the time.

[Becka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good collection of short stories, you can read a story or two at a time and therefore can pick up the book at any time (even days/weeks/months later) and not forget what the heck you were reading about. Some of the stories are "intellectual" and "deep," with some that are really well written and others that I don't know if the writing style is what I have an appreciation for.Otherwise pretty good.

[Cynthia Smith-hickenbottom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the stories were good as a whole. Some I liked better than others. I guess because it was a book about short stories, the characters and plots were not fleshed out enough for the reader. Some of the authors were better at doing it than others. The characters were from all over America and some were Americans from other countries . The stories reflected the racial and socio-economic diversity that is in America today.

[Grace MacLaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong collection. A lot of period pieces and stories about marriage. Very few duds.

My favorites:

-The one with the roommates and the mysterious boyfriend by Jhumpa Lahiri

-The one with the cow and the pathetic husband by Melissa Hardy

-The one with the couple how's been separated for seven years by Edwidge Danticat.

-The one about memory in post-war Japan by Mary Yukari Waters

-The one with the brother in the coma and superheroes and God by Akhil Sharma

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the Best American Short Stories series every year since the late nineties. 2002 is by far the most memorable collection for me. I would try to stop reading between stories to let the previous one 'sink in,' but it was too hard to put this book down. Jaw-dropping, eye-opening stories that stay with you.

[Vida]

When I was reading this book, I picture these stories in film. I can clearly vision the characters being played by real people. Simple stories, simple plots and this simplicity made me see myself (a part of me, a part of my life) in them. If you ever get a chance to read this book, Richard Ford’s “Puppy” and Melissa Hardy’s “Heifer” would make you better understand what I mean.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

As expected, this collection was excellent. There is a very nice mix of stories here, covering a wide variety of subjects. As with any collection, some I liked more than others, but all were very good in their own way.

[Greg Dyer]

Loaned to Andrea Kirkegaard.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful - as one could expect the best short stories from one year to be, but i really liked miller's selections

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if these are the best short stories of the year, as I certainly haven't read everything written in 2001. This collection is, however, excellent, and I'd recommend it.

[Kendall]

Good collection. Read the story by E.L. Doctrow. It's very entertaining. Love and Hydrogen is interesting to. About two gay crew members on the Hindenburg.

[Meg Clayton]

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