The Best American Essays 2001

by Kathleen Norris (Editor), Robert Atwan (Series Editor)

This year’s Best American Essays is edited by the best-selling, award-winning writer Kathleen Norris, whose books include Dakota andThe Virgin of Bennington. “The writers in this volume invite us into hidden places: a surgical pathologist’s laboratory, the boxing gym where a college professor and his student learn unexpected lessons about discipline, pain, and growing to adulthood. There are many discoveries to be made here, and I gladly invite the reader to an uncommonly rich and rewarding book.” — Kathleen Norris

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction, Anthologies, Literary Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2001

About the author

Kathleen Norris was born on July 27, 1947 in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, as well as on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Lemmon, South Dakota.

Her sheltered upbringing left her unprepared for the world she encountered when she began attending Bennington College in Vermont. At first shocked by the unconventionality surrounding her, Norris took refuge in poetry.

After she graduated in 1969, she moved to New York City where she joined the arts scene, associated with members of the avant-garde movement including Andy Warhol, and worked for the American Academy of Poets.

In 1974, her grandmother died leaving Norris the family farm in South Dakota, and she and her future husband, the poet David Dwyer, decided to temporarily relocate there until arrangements to rent or sell the property could be made. Instead, they ended up remaining in South Dakota for the next 25 years.

Soon after moving to the rural prairie, Norris developed a relationship with the nearby Benedictine abbey, which led to her eventually becoming an oblate.

In 2000, Norris and her husband traded their farmhouse on the Great Plains for a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, so that Norris could help care for her aging parents after her husband’s own failing health no longer permitted him to travel. Her father died in 2002, and her husband died the following year in 2003.

Reviews

[Acacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best piece of writing I've ever read, EVER--Charles Bowden's "The Bone Garden of Desire"--is contained in this collection of essays.

[Myat Phyo Thu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not relate to some female authors' life experiences.

[Fidan Ismayilova]

The Bone Garden of Desire, India’s American Imports, Facing the Village, Book Marks - splendid.

[Galen Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best essays: the bone garden of desire (Charles Bowden), exquisite corpse (ashraf rushdy), the last word (earl shorris), and upside down and backward (William vollman)

[Will Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diverse collection of essays covering various subjects. Good writing throughout. Favorites by Lenore Look, Ashraf Rushdy, Charles Bowden, Stephen King.

[Sindre Homlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selv om gjesteredaktøren denne gangen hadde en religiøs agenda, så skjemmet det ikke samlingen. Mange svært gode essays!

[Caley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful collection of essays curated with excellence and grace by the editor. The pieces flowed perfectly together and weaved together a delicate tapestry of personal histories, collective memories, religion, and science. The last essay on the nature of today's hyperreality and the distraction of mass media would have alone sealed the deal for me My first foray into this genre and I will definitely be back for more.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two things that changed my mind about creative nonfiction. The first was having Jeremy Huggins for a teacher. the second was reading "Bone Garden of Desire" by Charles Bowden out of this anthology. Amazing.

[StephJLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best American Essays series is a great literary alternative to the Uncle John's Bathroom readers series. Best essays that were published in high brow mags throughout the year. What an inspiring way to start the day.

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great one. I havent read all. but ive come to the last one..Upside Down and Backward written by William T. Vollmann. I also like On being breathless. The two remind me of death. Which is i rarely do.
You should read it!

[Joey Gamble · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there are some outstanding pieces in this collection--especially Bowden's "The Bone Garden of Desire" and States's "On Being Breathless"--it is ultimately an underwhelming year for the Best American Essays.

[Bibliophile10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is yet another BAE that offers a few gems among a majority of one-timers. My faves were Marcus Laffy's "The Midnight Tour" and Rebecca McClanahan's "Book Marks." Charles Bowden, Barbara Hurd, and Spencer Nadler wrote good essays as well.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the books in these series are excellent, so assigning stars to them seems so pointless.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy these collections of essays.

A wide variety of topics keeps things interesting, and they're short enough to read one (or a few!) in a sitting.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection; I liked every essay in this book.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

What makes this collection stand out is the sheer variety of its contents. While not every essay caught my attention, most were well worth reading.