Today's Best Maine Fiction

by Wesley McNair (Editor)

Here Carolyn Chute, Stephen King, Bill Roorbach, Richard Russo, Monica Wood, and nine other stellar Maine writers prove that the state is a superb source of inspiration for fiction. They capture Maine's atmospheric landscape, sharply defined seasons ― and an assortment of unforgettable characters. Originally published as Contemporary Maine Fiction, the paperback edition bears a new title. Selected by Maine's premier anthologist, this is truly the best fiction you'll find in Maine today.

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't normally write reviews but I will come out of the woodwork to write one for this short story compilation. It was the most dreary and depressing read. With each new story, I thought, "Surely someone can't die a sad death in this one too." But no, another sad situation and drawn out death. If I didn't already live in Maine and read this, I would never come here.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great compilation of short stories. Maine knows how to churn out some excellent writers! I have read embarrassingly few Stephen King novels (read: none), so I enjoyed his short story included here, "The Reach." It was magical and unscary.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories by authors in Maine

[Susan Emmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this anthology, re-reading a few and being brought into worlds I hadn't yet read.
Chute, Ford, S King, Russo, Wood, Pelletier, Ford, Roorbach reappear while Cooney, Lily King, Robinson, Elaine Ford and Kenney are new for me.
At first I thought the stories were chosen because of common themes of wrecked love and families, love of place, the weather (in- and outside), struggles with those from "away", violence, domestic abuse...but there's so much more here.
Don't have time to write more.
Read this book!

[Kate Durant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read about 75% of the stories in this book. I don't always enjoy short stories because there is little time for character development. Stephen King has a story in this book titled "The Reach." Very "Storm of the Century" if you are a Stephen King Fan - you will know what I am referencing, however I felt that "The Reach" in "Today's Best Maine Fiction" was really the only standout story. However I may be partial to King's writing.

[SEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful collection of storytelling by some of Maine's finest from Richard Russo to Stephen King and Carolyn Chute to Richard Ford and many more. A terrific anthology by Maine's leading poet and all around great state literary promoter. He's also just a really nice, entertaining man so he's knows how to pick a good story.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories by various Maine-based authors, set in Maine. I enjoyed all of them. There is an excellent King story I hadn't read before in here which was like the cherry on top for me. Definetly worth a read, especially if you love Maine like I do.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great opportunity to read some Maine authors I am not familiar with..including Stephen King whose books I have never read. At first I thought the stories were all about relationships and love gone bad, good, sour or sweet. Then things got more interesting.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating, and such variety!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good range of short story topics. The book is worth it for an amazing story called "Five Tuesdays in Winter" by Lily King. It's a story about longing, hope and grace.