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Certain Things Last: The Selected Short Stories of Sherwood Anderson
The first compilation of the best short fiction by the author of Winesburg, Ohio and one of the shapers of the modern American short story includes five great unpublished stories, recovered only recently.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Sherwood Anderson
439 books613 followersOften autobiographical, works of American writer Sherwood Anderson include
Winesburg, Ohio
(1919).
He supported his family and consequently never finished high school. He successfully managed a paint factory in Elyria before 1912 and fathered three children with the first of his four wives. In 1912, Anderson deserted his family and job.
In early 1913, he moved to Chicago, where he devoted more time to his imagination. He broke with considered materialism and convention to commit to art as a consequently heroic model for youth.
Mainly know for his short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. One can hear its profound influence on fiction in Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Faulkner, Thomas Clayton Wolfe, John Ernst Steinbeck, and Erskine Preston Caldwell.
Most important book collects 22 stories. The stories explore the inhabitants of a fictional version of Clyde, the small farm town, where Anderson lived for twelve early years. These tales made a significant break with the traditional short story. Instead of emphasizing plot and action, Anderson used a simple, precise, unsentimental style to reveal the frustration, loneliness, and longing in the lives of his characters. The narrowness of Midwestern small-town life and their own limitations stunt these characters.
Despite no wholly successful novel, Anderson composed several classic short stories. He influenced Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the coming generation.
He supported his family and consequently never finished high school. He successfully managed a paint factory in Elyria before 1912 and fathered three children with the first of his four wives. In 1912, Anderson deserted his family and job.
In early 1913, he moved to Chicago, where he devoted more time to his imagination. He broke with considered materialism and convention to commit to art as a consequently heroic model for youth.
Mainly know for his short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. One can hear its profound influence on fiction in Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Faulkner, Thomas Clayton Wolfe, John Ernst Steinbeck, and Erskine Preston Caldwell.
Most important book collects 22 stories. The stories explore the inhabitants of a fictional version of Clyde, the small farm town, where Anderson lived for twelve early years. These tales made a significant break with the traditional short story. Instead of emphasizing plot and action, Anderson used a simple, precise, unsentimental style to reveal the frustration, loneliness, and longing in the lives of his characters. The narrowness of Midwestern small-town life and their own limitations stunt these characters.
Despite no wholly successful novel, Anderson composed several classic short stories. He influenced Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the coming generation.
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December 28, 2010Oh Sherwood, you poor bastard, no one loves you anymore. Which is unfortunate, because Winesburg, Ohio changed my life in high school because I was a mopey kid in a small town in the Corn Belt. Fast forward eight years, and I'm finally getting around to his short stories.
They clearly have the same tone as Winesburg, but by and large, less of the depth. The interwoven characters are what prevent Winesburg from being a collection of half-completed character sketches and descriptive passages. In stories like "The Man's Story" and "The Corn Planting," Anderson's strengths come out, but ultimately it's not as satisfying as I'd hoped.
They clearly have the same tone as Winesburg, but by and large, less of the depth. The interwoven characters are what prevent Winesburg from being a collection of half-completed character sketches and descriptive passages. In stories like "The Man's Story" and "The Corn Planting," Anderson's strengths come out, but ultimately it's not as satisfying as I'd hoped.
July 25, 2008
Everyone and their mother has read "Winesburg, Ohio" it seems, and yeah, okay, a novel comprised of interlocking stories is a fantastic thing. But it's in a collection like this that Anderson's singular voice can be appreciated most purely. Anderson writes like he could care less about his reader, just fucking hightails it in an abstracted-hayseed kind of diction. Plus the whole thing, in all its stories, never seems to extricate itself from the mire of day to day humanness. No glittery hope nor jackass epiphanies. Plus, the copy I have is hardcover, huge, with a constructivist type painting on one side and a photo of Anderson in the cabin he built with a telescope and cigarette on a pipette on the other. Magic.
October 3, 2023
Sherwood Anderson was mentioned in Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" so I decided to seek out his stories. I remember quite liking "Winesburg, Ohio". I was a bit startled and uncomfortable by the use of the "n" word in several stories. I know that these were written a hundred years ago but it did not make it any less shocking so I chose not to read those particular stories. I especially liked two others (where he does not use the word): "The Corn Planting" and "Mrs. Wife".
May 5, 2014
If you’ve read anything by this writer it was most likely “Winesburg, Ohio,” his acclaimed short story cycle centered upon the inhabitants of a small Midwestern town. You may, or may not, have liked this book but regardless of what your opinion about this particular work was you owe yourself to read at least one other short story collection by this author. On the other hand, if you haven’t yet read anything by the man I beg you to skip over this heralded classic and do the same, delve straight into one of his one of his short story collections. Do not pass “Go!” You can always read it later afterwards.
In his lifetime, Sherwood desperately wanted to leave his mark as a novelist, which unfortunately he was never able to realize fully. Instead, it was his short stories that garnered him attention, then and now. It was here that he soared with creativity, innovation and daring. His novels attempted much the same but he somehow wasn’t able to adequately sustain a longer narrative with the same power as in his shorter works, which is actually quite a common problem among writers even today and one that I feel shouldn’t completely discredit an author as a whole.
Overall, possibly because of the unevenness of his work, Sherwood seems to have been relegated as a something more along the lines of a footnote in literature history. He’s cited more often as having had a profound influence upon the writers that he inspired rather than for his published work. Granted, the list of those he left a mark upon is impressive, nearly all of whom are still considered literary giants today. Certainly, this alone causes some people to seek him out. If anything, just to try and understand what it was about the man that caused so adulation from so many great writers.
The first stop in this curiosity usually starts with “Winesburg, Ohio” and it is my opinion that this book completely overshadows his better work and misleads a great many readers into a misinformed opinion. Of course, it is a fine work in its own way but I personally feel that it is not his greatest effort in comparison to some of his others writings. Not counting Winesburg, Sherwood published three short story collections in his lifetime, all of which may be hard to track down these days. However, there are a few posthumous anthologies like this one here that attempts to bring the best of these into one collection that are more readily available.
This book also rescues a few obscure publications of his that only saw print in the magazines of his day and were never printed in book form. So, this makes this anthology sort of like a greatest hits collections with a couple of previously unreleased outtake tracks that even for those that have all the original albums makes this a must have.
Although there are a great many excellent stories collected here, for me, the standout “track” in this collection is “The Man Who Became A Woman,” which was originally published in “Horses And Men” in 1923. This is a strange and disturbing tale, especially for the 1920s, as in a way it essentially deals with transgender issues, or at he very least, a serious case of mistaken identity.
This story could be viewed as a “horror / suspense,” as it essentially is about someone desperately running away from another that wants to have their way with them. Only, there is a twist to this oft told tale, where instead of the typical helpless female, it is instead a young man who through a series of unfortunate events is mistaken to be a female.
Naturally, the use of this particular subject as a plot device is unfortunately overused in a great many other stories and even with the novelty of the juxtaposition of the typical role played by the victim this could be seen as an unnecessary addition. Only, in keeping in mind the time it was written exempts this to a degree, I also think that this story could find a further redemption as it opens a tiny window of opportunity that rarely presents itself for the typical heterosexual male reader that might allow them to potentially understand in some small way what it might be like to receive such attentions personally.
Of course, the idea of rape is abhorrent enough for many of us to have a natural instinct against it already, making this an unnecessary exercise. Only, this aversion can only be from a male viewpoint. True empathy is often something that is hard to fully conjure up outside of firsthand experience and I feel that this story just might manage to vicariously convey the experience of the threat of this act.
Naturally, the mere hint or suggestion of this subject is extremely sensitive for a great many and I sincerely hope that I haven’t somehow inadvertently crossed any lines here in entertaining these ideas that may cause any offense. Sherwood, himself was well aware of the dangers of attempting such a tale and it is rumored to have caused him nightmares that made him to scream out loud in the middle of the night. The idea haunted him relentlessly enough that he finally decided to exorcise this demon by writing “the dang story.” I think he made the right choice.
In his lifetime, Sherwood desperately wanted to leave his mark as a novelist, which unfortunately he was never able to realize fully. Instead, it was his short stories that garnered him attention, then and now. It was here that he soared with creativity, innovation and daring. His novels attempted much the same but he somehow wasn’t able to adequately sustain a longer narrative with the same power as in his shorter works, which is actually quite a common problem among writers even today and one that I feel shouldn’t completely discredit an author as a whole.
Overall, possibly because of the unevenness of his work, Sherwood seems to have been relegated as a something more along the lines of a footnote in literature history. He’s cited more often as having had a profound influence upon the writers that he inspired rather than for his published work. Granted, the list of those he left a mark upon is impressive, nearly all of whom are still considered literary giants today. Certainly, this alone causes some people to seek him out. If anything, just to try and understand what it was about the man that caused so adulation from so many great writers.
The first stop in this curiosity usually starts with “Winesburg, Ohio” and it is my opinion that this book completely overshadows his better work and misleads a great many readers into a misinformed opinion. Of course, it is a fine work in its own way but I personally feel that it is not his greatest effort in comparison to some of his others writings. Not counting Winesburg, Sherwood published three short story collections in his lifetime, all of which may be hard to track down these days. However, there are a few posthumous anthologies like this one here that attempts to bring the best of these into one collection that are more readily available.
This book also rescues a few obscure publications of his that only saw print in the magazines of his day and were never printed in book form. So, this makes this anthology sort of like a greatest hits collections with a couple of previously unreleased outtake tracks that even for those that have all the original albums makes this a must have.
Although there are a great many excellent stories collected here, for me, the standout “track” in this collection is “The Man Who Became A Woman,” which was originally published in “Horses And Men” in 1923. This is a strange and disturbing tale, especially for the 1920s, as in a way it essentially deals with transgender issues, or at he very least, a serious case of mistaken identity.
This story could be viewed as a “horror / suspense,” as it essentially is about someone desperately running away from another that wants to have their way with them. Only, there is a twist to this oft told tale, where instead of the typical helpless female, it is instead a young man who through a series of unfortunate events is mistaken to be a female.
Naturally, the use of this particular subject as a plot device is unfortunately overused in a great many other stories and even with the novelty of the juxtaposition of the typical role played by the victim this could be seen as an unnecessary addition. Only, in keeping in mind the time it was written exempts this to a degree, I also think that this story could find a further redemption as it opens a tiny window of opportunity that rarely presents itself for the typical heterosexual male reader that might allow them to potentially understand in some small way what it might be like to receive such attentions personally.
Of course, the idea of rape is abhorrent enough for many of us to have a natural instinct against it already, making this an unnecessary exercise. Only, this aversion can only be from a male viewpoint. True empathy is often something that is hard to fully conjure up outside of firsthand experience and I feel that this story just might manage to vicariously convey the experience of the threat of this act.
Naturally, the mere hint or suggestion of this subject is extremely sensitive for a great many and I sincerely hope that I haven’t somehow inadvertently crossed any lines here in entertaining these ideas that may cause any offense. Sherwood, himself was well aware of the dangers of attempting such a tale and it is rumored to have caused him nightmares that made him to scream out loud in the middle of the night. The idea haunted him relentlessly enough that he finally decided to exorcise this demon by writing “the dang story.” I think he made the right choice.
May 30, 2015
If you've read Winesburg, Ohio and you're looking for some more stories from the underrated American author Sherwood Anderson then you can't go wrong with this compilation - although it's probably difficult to get these days.
The thirty stories consist of three previously unpublished stories, seventeen are from either Triumph of the Egg, Horses and Men or Death in the Woods. The remaining stories are from magazines etc.
The complete contents are:
1. Certain Things Last
2. I Want to Know Why
3. The Other Woman
4. The Egg
5. Brothers
6. I'm a Fool
7. The Man Who Became a Woman
8. Milk Bottles
9. The Man's Story
10. An Ohio Pagan
11. Death in the Woods
12. The Return
13. There She Is - She Is Taking her Bath
14. In a Strange Town
15. These Mountaineers
16. A Meeting South
17. The Flood
18. Brother Death
19. In a Field
20. A Criminal's Christmas
21. Virginia Justice
22. The Corn Planting
23. Mrs. Wife
24. Pastoral
25. Not Sixteen
26. Nobody Laughed
27. For What?
28. The Masterpiece
29. Fred
30. The Red Dog
2-5 From The Triumph of the Egg (1921) s/s collection
6-10 From Horses and Men (1923) s/s collection,
11-18 From Death in the Woods (1933) s/s collection
1,29,30 were previously unpublished
The thirty stories consist of three previously unpublished stories, seventeen are from either Triumph of the Egg, Horses and Men or Death in the Woods. The remaining stories are from magazines etc.
The complete contents are:
1. Certain Things Last
2. I Want to Know Why
3. The Other Woman
4. The Egg
5. Brothers
6. I'm a Fool
7. The Man Who Became a Woman
8. Milk Bottles
9. The Man's Story
10. An Ohio Pagan
11. Death in the Woods
12. The Return
13. There She Is - She Is Taking her Bath
14. In a Strange Town
15. These Mountaineers
16. A Meeting South
17. The Flood
18. Brother Death
19. In a Field
20. A Criminal's Christmas
21. Virginia Justice
22. The Corn Planting
23. Mrs. Wife
24. Pastoral
25. Not Sixteen
26. Nobody Laughed
27. For What?
28. The Masterpiece
29. Fred
30. The Red Dog
2-5 From The Triumph of the Egg (1921) s/s collection
6-10 From Horses and Men (1923) s/s collection,
11-18 From Death in the Woods (1933) s/s collection
1,29,30 were previously unpublished
October 3, 2010
I wanted to say I was okay with this collection of shorts. But the more I read of Mr Anderson and from him, the more and more respect I lost of him as a writer. It is going to be very difficult to keep my perspective when I do read Winesburg, Ohio.
There was nothing grotesque or depressing in this book, except for the fifth grade writing style that he manages to pull-off in about half of the stories. condescension wreaked though most of the tales and it wasn't just limited to women, blacks or Italians. No, men who kiss whores while being spied on by a prick little kid don't even catch a break.
I am in need of an excellent read because I've been reading so many downers lately. I went to a book sale and the library today and the weather in Austin is finally cooling.
I will pray to the literary gods to have mercy on me and bestow me a jewel in the stack I brought home.
If it's a sacrifice they need...there were some loud children in the library.
There was nothing grotesque or depressing in this book, except for the fifth grade writing style that he manages to pull-off in about half of the stories. condescension wreaked though most of the tales and it wasn't just limited to women, blacks or Italians. No, men who kiss whores while being spied on by a prick little kid don't even catch a break.
I am in need of an excellent read because I've been reading so many downers lately. I went to a book sale and the library today and the weather in Austin is finally cooling.
I will pray to the literary gods to have mercy on me and bestow me a jewel in the stack I brought home.
If it's a sacrifice they need...there were some loud children in the library.
Want to read
November 4, 2024Read so far:
from The Triumph of the Egg (1921):
I want to know why --3
The other woman --3
The egg (i.e. The triumph of the egg)--3
Brothers --3
***
Seeds --2
*Unlighted lamps --
*The New Englander --
from Horses and Men (1923):
I'm a fool --3
*The man who became a woman --
Milk bottles --
*The man's story --
An Ohio pagan --
from Death in the Woods (1933):
Death in the woods --3
*The return --
There she is --she is taking her bath --
In a strange town --
These mountaineers --
A meeting south --
The flood --
*Brother death --
***
*The lost novel --
Uncollected stories:
Certain things last --
In a field --
A criminal's Christmas --
Virginia justice --
*The corn planting --
Mrs. Wife --
Pastoral --
Not sixteen --
Nobody laughed --
For what? --
The masterpiece --
Fred --
The red dog--
***
*Alice (aka Beauty)--
*Another wife--
from The Triumph of the Egg (1921):
I want to know why --3
The other woman --3
The egg (i.e. The triumph of the egg)--3
Brothers --3
***
Seeds --2
*Unlighted lamps --
*The New Englander --
from Horses and Men (1923):
I'm a fool --3
*The man who became a woman --
Milk bottles --
*The man's story --
An Ohio pagan --
from Death in the Woods (1933):
Death in the woods --3
*The return --
There she is --she is taking her bath --
In a strange town --
These mountaineers --
A meeting south --
The flood --
*Brother death --
***
*The lost novel --
Uncollected stories:
Certain things last --
In a field --
A criminal's Christmas --
Virginia justice --
*The corn planting --
Mrs. Wife --
Pastoral --
Not sixteen --
Nobody laughed --
For what? --
The masterpiece --
Fred --
The red dog--
***
*Alice (aka Beauty)--
*Another wife--
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews