Off the Beaten Path: Stories of Place

by Joseph Barbato (Editor), Barbara Kingsolver (Introduction), Lisa Weinerman Horak (Editor)

A collection of short fiction featuring the contributions of Jill McCorkle, Eric Lustbader, Rick Bass, Rita Mae Brown, Barry Lopez, E. Annie Proulx, and other writers

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Nature

262 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories written for the Nature Conservancy, to bring to the forefront, the delicate balance of nature and mankind, and how we impact each other. the stories are as varied as the writers. I enjoyed most of the stories, saw the connections, but was most impressed by the Introduction: Knowing our place", that was written by Barbara Kingsolver. I have not read Kingsolver, a surprise, since as a librarian, I endeavor to sample most authors. This Introduction has whetted my appetite to give her a try. The Chauffeur by Howard Norman was my favorite, as I am also a bird watcher, and our son was once a chauffeur.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for the Kingsolver introduction, three stars for the stories. They're uneven one from the other and sometimes within themselves. My top three: Lee Smith's (the vernacular is accurate), Larry Watson's and Julia Alvarez's.

[isa moonchild · Rating 3 out of 5]

relatos variados, ambientaciones espectaculares. En especial The chaffeur, Pond Time, The half skinned steer, Hush y Early Lessons.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each of these stories had little nuggets that I liked, but none of them were particularly remarkable.

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. A collection slightly ahead of its time. Includes a Rick Bass story, Fiber, not in his collected works. The McGuane and Proulx stories I'd already read and fit in nicely.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting prompt with resulting wonderful short stories. I enjoy books I can start and stop but always pick up knowing it’ll be a quality moment.

[HeavyReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book out of a free box when I didn't have anything else to read, so I was glad for it.

Some of the stories were good, some not so good at all. Unfortunately, I don't have the book anymore, so I can't list the stories that I liked.

It's a nice book to have when there's nothing else around.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good solid stories by well known authors, book sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and introduction written by Barbara Kingsolver.