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Nice Big American Baby
A blazingly original, profoundly moving new work of fiction by a writer whose world–and imagination–knows no boundaries. “I don’t know what planet Judy Budnitz comes from,” said Newsweek on the publication of her fiction debut, Flying Leap, “but I’m happy to have her. Tremendous . . . funny, dark, adventurous, slanted, and enchanted.” These twelve astonishingly inventive stories–which take us into the heart of America and around the globe, from suburban backyards and swimming pools to war-torn streets and fallout shelters–are riveting, seductive, and impossible to forget.
In “Flush,” a mammogram prompts a dark comedy of blurred identities between a mother and her two adult daughters. In “Elephant and Boy,” a surrogate mother-and-son bond, tinged with the erotic, is formed when a philanthropist attempts to “civilize” a young elephant handler. “Nadia” sounds the depths of a young woman’s complex feelings toward a friend’s mail-order bride from Eastern Europe. “Preparedness”–an Orwellian tale in Technicolor–imagines rapture in the wake of imminent apocalypse. And in “Where We Come From,” a pregnant woman’s many failed attempts to cross the border do not lessen her resolve to give birth on U.S. soil to a “nice big American baby.”
Magical, poignant, often transcendent, these are virtuoso modern fables that mine our stores of hidden urges, misunderstandings, and blind passions, inviting us on a voyage through places and times at once deeply familiar and wondrously strange.
In “Flush,” a mammogram prompts a dark comedy of blurred identities between a mother and her two adult daughters. In “Elephant and Boy,” a surrogate mother-and-son bond, tinged with the erotic, is formed when a philanthropist attempts to “civilize” a young elephant handler. “Nadia” sounds the depths of a young woman’s complex feelings toward a friend’s mail-order bride from Eastern Europe. “Preparedness”–an Orwellian tale in Technicolor–imagines rapture in the wake of imminent apocalypse. And in “Where We Come From,” a pregnant woman’s many failed attempts to cross the border do not lessen her resolve to give birth on U.S. soil to a “nice big American baby.”
Magical, poignant, often transcendent, these are virtuoso modern fables that mine our stores of hidden urges, misunderstandings, and blind passions, inviting us on a voyage through places and times at once deeply familiar and wondrously strange.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Judy Budnitz
19 books67 followersJudy Budnitz was born in 1973 and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Harvard in 1995, and recieved an MFA in creative writing from New York University in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
August 19, 2007
I read "Miracle" in the New Yorker probably four years ago and it's stayed in my mind more than any other short story I've ever read. I'm pretty sure it's perfect. A lot of these stories have that same feeling of strangeness--they put normal people into various sets of surreal (and often suggestive of Big Conditions--social, political, human, etc) circumstances without demanding to be deciphered or running full-on into heavy-handed symbolism or allegory. Hooray for residing in mystery!
October 2, 2018
Based on the glowing reviews and blurbs on the back of this book, I was expecting to like it a lot more than I did.
Judy Budnitz is certainly a very creative mind, but I wasn't always sure where she was going with her stories. In this collection she explores the themes of mothers and daughters, what desperate measures does to society and political topics through magical realism. Some of my favorite stories here, like "Preparedness" and "Where We Come From" are incredibly relevant political commentary, even over a decade after this book came out. Her take on Orwell's 1984 in "Saving Face" was also a highlight for me.
She really hits her stride when she walks the line between fantasy and realism by using magic to talk about reality. Other stories that seem to be more based on a thought experiment or more on the side of make-believe like "Miracle" and "Elephant and Boy" fell completely flat for me. "Nadia" was another weak point, I think because it felt the most realistic of all of the stories.
This is an interesting collection, but I don't think it's consistently as good as other people say it is.
Judy Budnitz is certainly a very creative mind, but I wasn't always sure where she was going with her stories. In this collection she explores the themes of mothers and daughters, what desperate measures does to society and political topics through magical realism. Some of my favorite stories here, like "Preparedness" and "Where We Come From" are incredibly relevant political commentary, even over a decade after this book came out. Her take on Orwell's 1984 in "Saving Face" was also a highlight for me.
She really hits her stride when she walks the line between fantasy and realism by using magic to talk about reality. Other stories that seem to be more based on a thought experiment or more on the side of make-believe like "Miracle" and "Elephant and Boy" fell completely flat for me. "Nadia" was another weak point, I think because it felt the most realistic of all of the stories.
This is an interesting collection, but I don't think it's consistently as good as other people say it is.
July 21, 2020
Got 80% of the way through and could not finish it. There was one story that was solid but the others seemed to be gawking at the plight of immigrants & POC without adding any nuance. Exploiting pain for the sake of voyeurism isn't my cup of tea.
Also the characters that are POC or the weird metaphors for POC (sweet white baby replaced by some strange dark skinned monster) are poorly fleshed out, hurtful,and one-dimensional. For example, the story the collection is named after, the immigrant from an unnamed country (which is very clearly supposed to be Mexico) is incredibly naive and ignorant.
All this aside, the writing isn't that great and it's full of cliches, I think this is the worst thing I've ever read. I was surprised it was rated so highly.
Also the characters that are POC or the weird metaphors for POC (sweet white baby replaced by some strange dark skinned monster) are poorly fleshed out, hurtful,and one-dimensional. For example, the story the collection is named after, the immigrant from an unnamed country (which is very clearly supposed to be Mexico) is incredibly naive and ignorant.
All this aside, the writing isn't that great and it's full of cliches, I think this is the worst thing I've ever read. I was surprised it was rated so highly.
November 20, 2007
This is absolutely phenomenal. Great short stories, reminiscent of George Saunders: surreal and creepy and very moving all at once. Blew me away.
March 26, 2017
Only read one short story from this anthology: "Morherland". It was for class but I was still very impressed by this powerful story.
July 11, 2009
These stories present a world to us that is almost familiar, but twist that familiarity by adding some surreal element. A pregnant girl gestates for years while attempting to cross from Mexico into America so the child can be an American baby, a white couple give birth to a black child ("His skin has the solid, inorganic sheen of obsidian, an iridescence like oil"), daughters stand in for their frightened mother's mammogram appointments, a wartime doctor plants and cultivates a field of amputated limbs... these things take place in otherwise everyday worlds, and are woven carefully and often with beautiful language.
There are several themes that reappear over the course of this collection. "Where We Come From," "Miracle," and "Motherland" focus on unusual parenting situations, while "Flush" and "Visitors" turn the tables and show us grown children trying to care and be responsible for their infantile parents. Identity and how we define ourselves comes up over and over again - "Where We Come From," "Nadia," "Elephant and Boy," and "Saving Face" all have some element of this at their core. "Saving Face" handles it particularly well.
The writing is good and the things the author is pondering are interesting, but these things work for her better in some stories than others. In "Preparedness," the brief foray into a strange land at the end feels forced and disconnected; the opening section of "Where We Come From" doesn't add to the story of Precious's unusual pregnancy, especially since we never see or hear about her family again. There are moments when the bizarre comes across as too abrupt or contrived - just too much weird without good enough reason for it. When she takes the time to ease me in to it, I'm completely on board and just enjoying the read.
There are several themes that reappear over the course of this collection. "Where We Come From," "Miracle," and "Motherland" focus on unusual parenting situations, while "Flush" and "Visitors" turn the tables and show us grown children trying to care and be responsible for their infantile parents. Identity and how we define ourselves comes up over and over again - "Where We Come From," "Nadia," "Elephant and Boy," and "Saving Face" all have some element of this at their core. "Saving Face" handles it particularly well.
The writing is good and the things the author is pondering are interesting, but these things work for her better in some stories than others. In "Preparedness," the brief foray into a strange land at the end feels forced and disconnected; the opening section of "Where We Come From" doesn't add to the story of Precious's unusual pregnancy, especially since we never see or hear about her family again. There are moments when the bizarre comes across as too abrupt or contrived - just too much weird without good enough reason for it. When she takes the time to ease me in to it, I'm completely on board and just enjoying the read.
September 19, 2008
I will not blame this book for the security guard at the library who, when he saw its title, asked if "somebody" was expecting. Hmph. I teetered between 3 and 4 stars but at the end I think it earned the fourth star. Budnitz's magical realism is an interesting twist on the genre, which is generally associated with Latino/Chicano writers. The first (and title) story is a nod to these roots, but the stories branch out from there. The short stories are a good length--long enough to develop characters but not so long that you can't devour them at once (each one takes about 20-30 minutes). The themes, situations, and characters showed a good range. I highly recommend.
June 17, 2010
Absolutely brilliant.
I would have never known about this author, but the title of the book was interesting so I picked it off the shelf, fully thinking I would put it back after a few seconds. But the reviews were enough to make me take the book home.
All of them were well deserved. Judy Budnitz is a wonderful writer with an imagination that simply defies comprehension at times. Each of her short story was a world of its own, complete and wonderful or horrible, frightening or full of tenderness. I'm not usually one for short stories, but this was absolutely worth the read.
I would have never known about this author, but the title of the book was interesting so I picked it off the shelf, fully thinking I would put it back after a few seconds. But the reviews were enough to make me take the book home.
All of them were well deserved. Judy Budnitz is a wonderful writer with an imagination that simply defies comprehension at times. Each of her short story was a world of its own, complete and wonderful or horrible, frightening or full of tenderness. I'm not usually one for short stories, but this was absolutely worth the read.
April 29, 2011
Usually short stories disappoint me by being too weird or I don't even understand them or most are of a topic so tragic or sad that the author wouldn't want to write a whole book about it. (My opinion only). And usually books of short stories are not page turners for me, well...these short stories are page turners and pull you right into them.
Ms. Budnitz is so very talented that even if she writes a weird story it's still so good you're glad you read it. Now that I"ve finished this book I've read everything of hers, so I guess that makes me a fan. I'm waiting for more.
Ms. Budnitz is so very talented that even if she writes a weird story it's still so good you're glad you read it. Now that I"ve finished this book I've read everything of hers, so I guess that makes me a fan. I'm waiting for more.
April 6, 2008
What an amazing collection of stories! Funny and odd, compelling and though-provoking. Each story harbors a seemingly usual circumstance, but then Budnitz twists them and they become perverse - in the best possible way. Because that perversity, however slight or extreme, makes you reconsider your expectations.
May 18, 2008
Loved these hilarious, biting stories! Well, actually, they ranged from light and witty to heavier and more telling of our current culture. They were so well done. So clever, original, such neat ideas and ways of expressing issues. I laughed out loud at some of the outlandish tales. Very sharp writer.
August 5, 2008
Oh my, she depresses me like no other. It felt just like reading 'If I Told You Once' - compelling and strangely saddening, as if someone kept thrusting thorns into my skin and at first I do not even realize it. But once I do realize it, it hurts like hell.
I like prose that hurts. It makes me feel alive - battered, and cut up, but alive.
I like prose that hurts. It makes me feel alive - battered, and cut up, but alive.
June 24, 2007
i loved most of the stories, but "immersion" really stands out. it gives a really powerful treatment to sisterhood, childhood, polio, racism, and definitely to language. really gorgeous and memorable.
July 3, 2008
Brave, weird, wild stories that occilate between the hyper-real and surreal. Even the moments when a story seems to miss a mark slightly get made up for in the sheer boldness of the writing. I want to be Judy Budniz when I grow up.
May 12, 2015
Why do stories that are 20 pages feel longer than whole books sometimes? That's how this was for me. I liked the stories, but I kept checking to see if I was almost done them while still in the middle.
December 21, 2010
Engrossing stories. Budnitz is very good at rendering characters realistically unlikeable, while keeping them interesting enough to follow. Weird, fantastical plots with a good dose of dark humor.
March 11, 2010
It annoys me that the pieces have such strong beginings and weak ends. It's a buzz kill.
August 27, 2020
Zachwyciła mnie inteligentna, rozbuchana, ale jakoś precyzyjna i konsekwentna wyobraźnia Autorki. Punktem wyjścia dla opowiadań są często codzienne sytuacje, w które wkrada się zadziorny element, burzący porządek dobrze nam znanej rzeczywistości i powodujący, że nagle przeglądamy się w krzywym zwierciadle groteski. Nie uświadczymy tu spiekładuchów, ale opis codzienności przekształca się stopniowo i niepokojąco tak jakby tuż za ścianą kryła się inna, przerażająca rzeczywistość.
Opowiadania pozbawione są szerszego kontekstu, jesteśmy wrzucani od razu w sam środek jakiejś sytuacji i sami musimy sobie radzić ze zrozumieniem kto-komu-co. No i wypełnić tło. Tak jest np. w „Okazjach”, gdzie świat przedstawiony ograniczony jest do jednego domostwa a świat w tle zastajemy po jakieś totalnej katastrofie. To co opowiada nam Autorka jest ze wszech miar niepokojące, groteskowe, ocierające się o senny koszmar. Działa niepokojąco na wyobraźnię, drażni ją. Poczucie niepokoju i narastającej grozy towarzyszyło mi w większości opowiadań.
Świetne, nietuzinkowe opowiadania, zdecydowanie dla otwartych głów.
Opowiadania pozbawione są szerszego kontekstu, jesteśmy wrzucani od razu w sam środek jakiejś sytuacji i sami musimy sobie radzić ze zrozumieniem kto-komu-co. No i wypełnić tło. Tak jest np. w „Okazjach”, gdzie świat przedstawiony ograniczony jest do jednego domostwa a świat w tle zastajemy po jakieś totalnej katastrofie. To co opowiada nam Autorka jest ze wszech miar niepokojące, groteskowe, ocierające się o senny koszmar. Działa niepokojąco na wyobraźnię, drażni ją. Poczucie niepokoju i narastającej grozy towarzyszyło mi w większości opowiadań.
Świetne, nietuzinkowe opowiadania, zdecydowanie dla otwartych głów.
June 27, 2018
An excellent collection of short stories! Most (all?) have an element of the surreal, so subtle and expertly woven into the story that you find yourself believing anything is possible.
My favorite by far was "Miracle," but also "Flush," "Sales," "Immersion," "Preparedness," and "Motherland."
I also have to say, for a book published in 2005, two stories are eerily relevant. The first, "Where We Come From," about a pregnant woman at the border parallels with this zero tolerance/children at the border mess. The second, "Preparedness," is about a President who is a buffoon - for some reason, Trump's voice works perfectly as his.
Some lines I liked: "She'd only meant to guilt-trip him a little, but now she realizes she's set a dangerous precedent. Jonas didn't hurt her but he thought he did. And she let him. Now he thinks he can get away with it. Now it will be easier for him to do it again. But it won't be again; it will be the first time."
My favorite by far was "Miracle," but also "Flush," "Sales," "Immersion," "Preparedness," and "Motherland."
I also have to say, for a book published in 2005, two stories are eerily relevant. The first, "Where We Come From," about a pregnant woman at the border parallels with this zero tolerance/children at the border mess. The second, "Preparedness," is about a President who is a buffoon - for some reason, Trump's voice works perfectly as his.
Some lines I liked: "She'd only meant to guilt-trip him a little, but now she realizes she's set a dangerous precedent. Jonas didn't hurt her but he thought he did. And she let him. Now he thinks he can get away with it. Now it will be easier for him to do it again. But it won't be again; it will be the first time."
December 22, 2017
These are quirky, dark stories, dealing with people pushed to their limits, or struggling to understand their place in a family. One hilarious story has an immature, narcissicist (no!) president trying to punish his country that refuses to follow his emergency fallout shelter drill instructions. Very enjoyable.
January 3, 2017
Una colección de cuentos que reflexionan sobre la condición humana, con un pie dentro de un mundo onírico, que roza lo surrealista. Es mi primer libro de la autora, y me ha sorprendido el tono tan singular que tiene, la manera de acercarnos a unas historias inverosímiles y que a la vez están llenas de sentimientos que nos son muy cercanas. Muy recomendable.
October 29, 2022
Most of these stories feel realistic until they're not. It's not an unpleasant move- I liked being surprised by the turns they took. I liked "Elephant & Boy" the most. "Preparedness" and "Motherland" were also interesting.
May 31, 2018
Mind blowing collection of stories!
July 14, 2018
Two stories, "visitors" (hysterically funny) and
"saving face" (ingeniously told) vastly stood out.
"saving face" (ingeniously told) vastly stood out.
September 11, 2019
Wrote this review for Harvard Magazine:
https://harvardmagazine.com/2007/03/j...
https://harvardmagazine.com/2007/03/j...
September 8, 2020
the most memorable story to me was “where we come from” and “Nadia”
January 31, 2026
Judy Budnitz is a criminally underrated author. If you’re reading this, go buy a copy of one of her books, any of them, doesn’t matter which.
March 7, 2024
A mixed bag. The best tales are very good.
June 17, 2007
Favorite Stories (The * marks my two absolute favorite):
Flush - A daughter takes her resistant mother to the doctor's for a mammogram. This story showcases one of the recurring themes in this book, that of the role reversal that occurs when children become adults and their parents become like children again.
Visitors - A daughter waiting at her home for her parents to arrive on a visit keeps receiving increasingly bizarre phone calls from her mother as their trip progresses.
*Saving Face - In a totalitarian society, an artist's love for a webbed-feet swimmer ultimately dooms her - the swimmer - to a strange kind of imprisonment.
Miracle - A woman gives birth to a black baby but maintains that her husband (who is white) is still the father.
Sales - In a barren land, a man and his wife trap traveling salesman and keep them penned in their backyard. The man's younger sister looks on with complicity at first until she gives way to a growing defiance.
*Motherland - An island of mothers proves to be a stultifying place for their daughters who grow up with the wrong ideas about the ways of men.
Budnitz' best stories are her more subtle, ambiguous ones. Her other stories are crippled by heavy-handedness and amateurish writing. I would read something by her again. If I were to recommend her, I would recommend reading the short stories I mentioned above and skipping the rest.
Flush - A daughter takes her resistant mother to the doctor's for a mammogram. This story showcases one of the recurring themes in this book, that of the role reversal that occurs when children become adults and their parents become like children again.
Visitors - A daughter waiting at her home for her parents to arrive on a visit keeps receiving increasingly bizarre phone calls from her mother as their trip progresses.
*Saving Face - In a totalitarian society, an artist's love for a webbed-feet swimmer ultimately dooms her - the swimmer - to a strange kind of imprisonment.
Miracle - A woman gives birth to a black baby but maintains that her husband (who is white) is still the father.
Sales - In a barren land, a man and his wife trap traveling salesman and keep them penned in their backyard. The man's younger sister looks on with complicity at first until she gives way to a growing defiance.
*Motherland - An island of mothers proves to be a stultifying place for their daughters who grow up with the wrong ideas about the ways of men.
Budnitz' best stories are her more subtle, ambiguous ones. Her other stories are crippled by heavy-handedness and amateurish writing. I would read something by her again. If I were to recommend her, I would recommend reading the short stories I mentioned above and skipping the rest.
February 24, 2011
This collection of short stories, published in 2005, mixes the domestic with the magical, the ordinary with the surreal, etc. Often the premise of a story was more interesting to me than the execution. There are some very original ideas here--a pregnant border-crosser decides to carry the baby until she can give birth on American soil, so she ends up being pregnant for four years; a family traps and keeps salesmen in a pen for slaughter; female friends form a dangerous malice towards the mail-order bride of their male friend. However, the writing rarely stood out to me. At times, the stories bordered on whimsy or pretension, as the quirky premise was laid out and then kind of stagnated. I wanted more than just cute ideas! Still, I imagine some of these stories will stick with me--"Nadia," about the mail-order bride was chilling, and "Miracle," about a baby that comes out black but then turns white, was pretty affecting.
Overall, though, I wanted more from the writing!
Overall, though, I wanted more from the writing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews