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Selected Shorts: Behaving Badly
The award winning series of classic and contemporary fiction returns with a collection of darkly funny short stories by the likes of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Aimee Bender, A.M. Homes, Nathan Englander, Kim, Addonizio, and George Saunders. Readers include Anjelica Huston, Neil Gaiman, Michael Imperioli, Harris Yulin, Christina Pickles, Jefferson Mays, and Christine Ebersole.
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First published September 17, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 22, 2023
A very funny and captivating short story collection! With a great mix of writers, these odd stories take you into dark fantasy and escapism.
January 3, 2016
George Saunders' "My Flamboyant Grandson" - A world in which consumer marketing has become an Orwellian nightmare preventing a grandfather from taking his grandson to a Broadway show. (4 stars)
A.M. Homes' "Adults Alone" - A married couple arrange, at long last, to have some quality time alone with each other. The kids are dropped off at Grandma’s and there is nothing to prevent them from doing exactly what they want to as much as they want to. And they do. (3 stars)
Aimee Bender's "Job's Jobs" - "Do not question God, God said." A biblical reference frames a tale of an artist's vexing struggle for happiness just beyond reach. (3 stars)
Neil Gaiman's "Troll Bridge" - Adapted from the story Three Billy Goats Gruff. In Gaiman's version, the troll approaches a young boy who has crossed his bridge and demands to "eat his life." The boy eventually persuades the troll to wait until he has lived a little more, after which he will return to the bridge. (3 stars)
Nathan Englander's "For the Relief of Unbearable Urges" - The misadventure of a pious resident of Jerusalem, who is allowed by his Orthodox rabbi to visit a prostitute. (3 stars)
Stephen King's "Popsy" - A thrilling Stephen King adventure... with a stunning surprise ending. (3 stars)
Kim Addonizio's "Ever After" - The story of what would happen if the seven dwarves shared a loft in SoHo, leading marginal lives and waiting for Snow White to appear and save them. (3 stars)
A.M. Homes' "Adults Alone" - A married couple arrange, at long last, to have some quality time alone with each other. The kids are dropped off at Grandma’s and there is nothing to prevent them from doing exactly what they want to as much as they want to. And they do. (3 stars)
Aimee Bender's "Job's Jobs" - "Do not question God, God said." A biblical reference frames a tale of an artist's vexing struggle for happiness just beyond reach. (3 stars)
Neil Gaiman's "Troll Bridge" - Adapted from the story Three Billy Goats Gruff. In Gaiman's version, the troll approaches a young boy who has crossed his bridge and demands to "eat his life." The boy eventually persuades the troll to wait until he has lived a little more, after which he will return to the bridge. (3 stars)
Nathan Englander's "For the Relief of Unbearable Urges" - The misadventure of a pious resident of Jerusalem, who is allowed by his Orthodox rabbi to visit a prostitute. (3 stars)
Stephen King's "Popsy" - A thrilling Stephen King adventure... with a stunning surprise ending. (3 stars)
Kim Addonizio's "Ever After" - The story of what would happen if the seven dwarves shared a loft in SoHo, leading marginal lives and waiting for Snow White to appear and save them. (3 stars)
August 16, 2022
Craving short stories and looking what was available on hoopla I landed on this gem with some utterly fantastic short stories written by some of my favorites including Saunders. I appreciated that I never knew where I was going to be taken but always was eager to keep going.
July 4, 2022
An extraordinary selection of short stories. All the people reading the stories were wonderful and the stories, with the exception of the second story, were first rate.
1. My Flamboyant Grandson. A great story that has wonderful characters and a portrayal of a world in which marketing has become too dominant.
2. Adults Alone. I could not connect with this story and it just went on and on.
3. Troll Bridge. There are so many great stories in this selection but this is the best. There are so many delightful twists and turns and the ending is heartbreaking.
4. For the Relief of Unbearable Urges. Just outstanding in its portrayal of a husband who seemingly wants to do the right thing.
5. Popsy. Just brilliant. A great story with just an amazing ending.
6. Ever After. This is so well done and it ends with such a sad scene.
1. My Flamboyant Grandson. A great story that has wonderful characters and a portrayal of a world in which marketing has become too dominant.
2. Adults Alone. I could not connect with this story and it just went on and on.
3. Troll Bridge. There are so many great stories in this selection but this is the best. There are so many delightful twists and turns and the ending is heartbreaking.
4. For the Relief of Unbearable Urges. Just outstanding in its portrayal of a husband who seemingly wants to do the right thing.
5. Popsy. Just brilliant. A great story with just an amazing ending.
6. Ever After. This is so well done and it ends with such a sad scene.
December 31, 2021
I really liked listening to these stories - it's a great collection of stories - definitely dark but some great stories. All about 15 minutes so nice and quick, but each story packs its own punch.
Ch.1 My Flamboyant Grandson - George Saunders
Ch2. Adults Alone - A.M.Holmes
Ch. 3 Job's Jobs - Amy Bender
Ch. 4 Troll Bridge - Neil Gaiman
Ch. 5 For the Relief of Unbearable Urges - Nathan Englander
Ch. 6 Popsy - Stephne King
Ch. 7 Ever After - Kim Addonizio
The stories are narrated live so there is an audience that laughs and makes noises like cough, some might find annoying. It doesn't bother me though. I've really enjoyed this series - this being the third one I listened to. It's a nice mix between classic and contemporary authors.
Ch.1 My Flamboyant Grandson - George Saunders
Ch2. Adults Alone - A.M.Holmes
Ch. 3 Job's Jobs - Amy Bender
Ch. 4 Troll Bridge - Neil Gaiman
Ch. 5 For the Relief of Unbearable Urges - Nathan Englander
Ch. 6 Popsy - Stephne King
Ch. 7 Ever After - Kim Addonizio
The stories are narrated live so there is an audience that laughs and makes noises like cough, some might find annoying. It doesn't bother me though. I've really enjoyed this series - this being the third one I listened to. It's a nice mix between classic and contemporary authors.
September 5, 2018
Good stories and good narration :)
October 8, 2019
Some very good and funny stories!
February 1, 2023
It was fun! Some great readers (audio).
November 5, 2024
Great selection of short stories with different readers. Stories ranged from 2 - 4, with a couple of 5's for me.
April 4, 2022
A series of short stories with funny or absurd premises/plots. It was sort of a short story joke with some moral lessons attached to them. All were enjoyable and quite complex in details and characters.
January 4, 2017
Very entertaining read with feisty humor and unusual twists for well-known characters and situations.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews