Family: Stories from the Interior

by Geri Giebel Chavis (Editor)

A collection of short stories about family life includes authors such as Willa Cather, John Cheever, Gina Berriault, James Purdy and John Updike

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jean Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to give 4 stars to a varied collection but there is much to admire about this one. I like the structure. Relationships are explored in sections (Father/Son, Mother/Daughter, Siblings, Husbands/Wives, Mothers/Sons, Father/Daughter) each prefaced by an Introduction which I enjoyed telling a bit about the type of relationship and then commenting on each story in the section. ( I saved those comments until I'd finished the section.) Entries by top notch authors such as Wallace Stegner, John Cheever, Colette, John Updike and more make this quality work. As a daughter, wife, sister, and mother of two sons I was able to relate from many perspectives. As always in such a collection I find my favorites. I loved Flannery O'Connors "Everything That Rises Must Converge" and Sherwood Anderson's "Unlighted Lamps." James Purdy's "Encore" and "My Sister's Marriage" by Cynthia Rich.! The book will join the keepers on my shelf of story collections.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who doesn't really like short stories, I enjoyed these quite a bit. Maybe it's because I read the bulk of it at home with my family.