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McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern #30
McSweeney's Issue 30
Featuring new work by Wells Tower, Michael Cera, and Etgar Keret, along with writing from a bevy of lesser-known but nonetheless excellent writers investigating everything from mental hospitals to sentient mists, Issue 30 warrants every ounce of attention and industry you'll give it, even if you are very important and your time is valuable. Even if the fate of nations rests on your weary shoulders, you should still read Issue 30. And it might even come with some sort of poster too..
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2009
2 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Dave Eggers
353 books9,456 followersDave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 24, 2012
i was using this slightly older mcsweeney's (picked up at powell's books in portland, oregon) to help me determine if i should subscribe to mcsweeney's.
and you know what? i shouldn't.
there were two great stories. and one good story.
and then there was a really horrible story that baffled me. i read it out loud to my husband, and he just blinked and stared and hoped i'd stop torturing him, but i didn't. i was making a point. this story was horrible. its sentences were too long and it read like something written by a hipster kid in high school.
and then i realized michael cera wrote it.
i give up, mcsweeney's. 2013: the year of only reading the paris review and the american reader.
and you know what? i shouldn't.
there were two great stories. and one good story.
and then there was a really horrible story that baffled me. i read it out loud to my husband, and he just blinked and stared and hoped i'd stop torturing him, but i didn't. i was making a point. this story was horrible. its sentences were too long and it read like something written by a hipster kid in high school.
and then i realized michael cera wrote it.
i give up, mcsweeney's. 2013: the year of only reading the paris review and the american reader.
Read
August 13, 2019Flipped through & went to the name I knew first, which was Michael Cera's piece. Am not sure how that got published, but decided if it passed muster with the editor(s) I wasn't interested in what else the issue had on offer.
October 24, 2022
I enjoyed the first short story, but the others got progressively worse.
March 8, 2009
Not the strongest ish that I've read for sure. Not bad, though.
I have to bring up one sore subject: the imposition of academics on what would otherwise be highly entertaining fiction. It's no mystery that McSweeney's has a reputation for being a clearing house for MFA fiction. Not that MFA fiction is necessarily bad, but MFA fiction does tend to smell like...well, MFA fiction. Sometimes the story is overshadowed by its craft, as if the story is not as important as the fingerprints of the author that wrote it. Some authors (Barthelme, July) can pull it off without putting style before substance. Not many can do that, though.
Whatever the case may be, McSweeney's 30 contains a Wells Tower story from McSweeney's 23 that was re-written to appease Tower's inner academic. I adore the original; unfortunately, I don't adore the re-writing. It's a classic case of craft--imposed craft, dictated by academics, not inspired from within--interfering with art. The re-written version is merely okay, whereas the original shined. Okay is fine with me, but I am surprised that McSweeney's would publish the story if it's merely okay. And the fact that it's one of my favorite stories from the quarterly...ouch. They don't publish the damn thing just for me, but still.
Whatevs, right?
This peripherally reminds me of something Christopher Moore said in a recent author event here in Portland, OR: when asked by fans where they should pursue their MFA in creative writing, his response is always "well, where do you want to teach?" I think that sums it up. If you go for an MFA, folks, bravo, but don't let the MFA get in the way of your art. Trust me, even dolts like me will notice.
I have to bring up one sore subject: the imposition of academics on what would otherwise be highly entertaining fiction. It's no mystery that McSweeney's has a reputation for being a clearing house for MFA fiction. Not that MFA fiction is necessarily bad, but MFA fiction does tend to smell like...well, MFA fiction. Sometimes the story is overshadowed by its craft, as if the story is not as important as the fingerprints of the author that wrote it. Some authors (Barthelme, July) can pull it off without putting style before substance. Not many can do that, though.
Whatever the case may be, McSweeney's 30 contains a Wells Tower story from McSweeney's 23 that was re-written to appease Tower's inner academic. I adore the original; unfortunately, I don't adore the re-writing. It's a classic case of craft--imposed craft, dictated by academics, not inspired from within--interfering with art. The re-written version is merely okay, whereas the original shined. Okay is fine with me, but I am surprised that McSweeney's would publish the story if it's merely okay. And the fact that it's one of my favorite stories from the quarterly...ouch. They don't publish the damn thing just for me, but still.
Whatevs, right?
This peripherally reminds me of something Christopher Moore said in a recent author event here in Portland, OR: when asked by fans where they should pursue their MFA in creative writing, his response is always "well, where do you want to teach?" I think that sums it up. If you go for an MFA, folks, bravo, but don't let the MFA get in the way of your art. Trust me, even dolts like me will notice.
February 19, 2009
Super uplifting. Every story was very sad + depressing on the surface, but confirmed that there are still humans out in the world that feel and are sensitive. I felt very relieved by these stories. The best McSweeney's since number 25.
I am going to read it again.
The last story: Retreat, written by Wells Tower is a masterpiece of story telling. I was completely drawn into the world of two brothers and their depressing lives, and I felt richer, and like I had some company on Earth for a minute.
I am going to read it again.
The last story: Retreat, written by Wells Tower is a masterpiece of story telling. I was completely drawn into the world of two brothers and their depressing lives, and I felt richer, and like I had some company on Earth for a minute.
May 26, 2016
Michael Cera's story was a little rough, but otherwise very good stuff. I wish I had been reading McSweeney's all along.
April 26, 2020
A couple of really good stories in here, but mostly ones that were unmemorable or felt like work to read.
September 19, 2011
This is the first issue of McSweeney's to come out after Bush's presidency and the cover says it all - REJOICE! followed by "It's too late to screw it all up, right?" on the first page. Ah, McSweeney's.
A note about the design because McSweeney's has a reputation for innovative design of their issues. Whether the issue is a newspaper, a cigar box, held together with magnets, or designed to look like junk mail, they usually do something interesting. McSweeney's 30 is simply a paperback. This is a deliberate choice as they explain on the copyright page to go back to the design of their earliest issues and to help out the Icelandic printer's they used to use back then who have fallen on hard times thanks to Icelandic bankers. It's a nice choice as the attention in this issue is on the contents not on the presentation.
Bill Cotter's "Pfaff II" is about two mental patients who fall in love and escape together.
Nick Ekkizogloy's "Stowaways" is about two stoner electricians who have to work through an emergency flooding.
Kevin Moffett's "Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events" is about a wannabe writer/teacher whose father suddenly starts writing and gets published, much to his son's dismay and jealousy.
Etgar Keret's "Bad Karma" features an insurance salesman whose near death experience helps him get more sales of life insurance than anyone else but also gave him a glimpse into a parallel world.
Michael Cera's "Pinecone" is about a washed up actor in his late thirties who yells at a fast food clerk who said she didn't like one of his movies. Surprisingly good story as I was fully expecting to dislike it thinking "stick to acting, Scott Pilgrim!".
Wells Tower's "Retreat" is a story that was published in McSweeney's 23 as told from the perspective of one man in the story. In this revamped version the story is told from that man's brother. It's also the edition found in Tower's book "Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned".
The best two stories are Carson Mell's "Diamond Aces" and J. Malcolm Garcia's "Cuts". "Diamond Aces" is about a man finding out his elderly father is a strip club consultant and has some great funny scenes. "Cuts" is about a director of a non-profit agency tasked with helping the homeless. Awaiting a call about funding for his organisation for the next year, he ponders who to fire and who to keep on. Strangely poignant and funny.
This is one of my favourite issues of McSweeney's with some excellent stories throughout. If you're a fiction fan looking for an engrossing read to keep you occupied for a few hours, this is your book.
A note about the design because McSweeney's has a reputation for innovative design of their issues. Whether the issue is a newspaper, a cigar box, held together with magnets, or designed to look like junk mail, they usually do something interesting. McSweeney's 30 is simply a paperback. This is a deliberate choice as they explain on the copyright page to go back to the design of their earliest issues and to help out the Icelandic printer's they used to use back then who have fallen on hard times thanks to Icelandic bankers. It's a nice choice as the attention in this issue is on the contents not on the presentation.
Bill Cotter's "Pfaff II" is about two mental patients who fall in love and escape together.
Nick Ekkizogloy's "Stowaways" is about two stoner electricians who have to work through an emergency flooding.
Kevin Moffett's "Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events" is about a wannabe writer/teacher whose father suddenly starts writing and gets published, much to his son's dismay and jealousy.
Etgar Keret's "Bad Karma" features an insurance salesman whose near death experience helps him get more sales of life insurance than anyone else but also gave him a glimpse into a parallel world.
Michael Cera's "Pinecone" is about a washed up actor in his late thirties who yells at a fast food clerk who said she didn't like one of his movies. Surprisingly good story as I was fully expecting to dislike it thinking "stick to acting, Scott Pilgrim!".
Wells Tower's "Retreat" is a story that was published in McSweeney's 23 as told from the perspective of one man in the story. In this revamped version the story is told from that man's brother. It's also the edition found in Tower's book "Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned".
The best two stories are Carson Mell's "Diamond Aces" and J. Malcolm Garcia's "Cuts". "Diamond Aces" is about a man finding out his elderly father is a strip club consultant and has some great funny scenes. "Cuts" is about a director of a non-profit agency tasked with helping the homeless. Awaiting a call about funding for his organisation for the next year, he ponders who to fire and who to keep on. Strangely poignant and funny.
This is one of my favourite issues of McSweeney's with some excellent stories throughout. If you're a fiction fan looking for an engrossing read to keep you occupied for a few hours, this is your book.
February 5, 2009
Arrived today, in all its throwback, Iceland-printed, McSweeney's no.3 charm.
Bill Cotter's opening "Pfaff 2" was pretty bleak start for a collection emblazoned with a giant REJOICE across the cover, so I guess I'm glad to see that the golden glow just cresting our political horizon hasn't gone to everyone's head and made us all unerringly optimistic in our fiction-writing just yet. And bleak is okay; it wouldn't make a lot of sense to write an extremely hopeful story that mostly takes place in an asylum. And Cotter's prose does have a fairly light touch for the subject, that makes the couple really horrific offhand images all the more affecting.
...
And upon finishing: basically all worthwhile, nothing so blindingly standout as to require discussion in depth. I will say that after the opener, it's really the second half where things pick up with several less idiosyncratic but all the more bitterly real pieces, the best best of which is "Cuts", a matter-of-fact snapshot of a homeless shelter foundering under diminishing budget. It doesn't need to be especially dramatic, or really have any action at all, to work, J. Malcolm Garcia seems to realize, as he doesn't embellish with either. Simply feeling out the situation does everything the story needs to.
The second half does have a brief interlude of absurdity, but Romanian playwright Matei Visniec's "Madness" reads like a dream, or surrealist poetry, and ends up being the best of the stranger work presented here.
I suppose it's worth noting that though Michael Cera's "Pinecone" was more amusing than essential, oh hey, Michael Cera is writing his own fiction now.
Bill Cotter's opening "Pfaff 2" was pretty bleak start for a collection emblazoned with a giant REJOICE across the cover, so I guess I'm glad to see that the golden glow just cresting our political horizon hasn't gone to everyone's head and made us all unerringly optimistic in our fiction-writing just yet. And bleak is okay; it wouldn't make a lot of sense to write an extremely hopeful story that mostly takes place in an asylum. And Cotter's prose does have a fairly light touch for the subject, that makes the couple really horrific offhand images all the more affecting.
...
And upon finishing: basically all worthwhile, nothing so blindingly standout as to require discussion in depth. I will say that after the opener, it's really the second half where things pick up with several less idiosyncratic but all the more bitterly real pieces, the best best of which is "Cuts", a matter-of-fact snapshot of a homeless shelter foundering under diminishing budget. It doesn't need to be especially dramatic, or really have any action at all, to work, J. Malcolm Garcia seems to realize, as he doesn't embellish with either. Simply feeling out the situation does everything the story needs to.
The second half does have a brief interlude of absurdity, but Romanian playwright Matei Visniec's "Madness" reads like a dream, or surrealist poetry, and ends up being the best of the stranger work presented here.
I suppose it's worth noting that though Michael Cera's "Pinecone" was more amusing than essential, oh hey, Michael Cera is writing his own fiction now.
October 18, 2023
My first McSweeney's, and it left a fairly good first impression. It was a mixed bag, but overall I found the quality of the stories to be pretty high. I've never been an avid reader of short story collections, especially compilations of various authors, but it made me want to discover more, so that's in itself a good sign.
"Rejoice" indeed. While there isn't a very clear theme throughout the book, there is something like a common mood, and that mood is really quite bleak and pessimistic. In fact, regardless of the quality of the stories, it's hard for me to say that I enjoyed this book because, more than anything, it left me feeling bad. By all means, literature and reading aren't only about pleasure and enjoyment, but they do matter.
As mentioned, the quality of the stories is fairly high, but with some weak ones. That said, the good ones were really good. Stories that made me sympathize with the fate of the characters, sometimes revolting, sometimes simply excellently crafted. There's creativity and a clear note of compassion. We're shown a lot of suffering, but it's not voyeurism.
I recommend this book, with the caveat that it's not an uplifting experience. There's nothing here to lift the spirits or to rekindle your faith in your fellow man.
"Rejoice" indeed. While there isn't a very clear theme throughout the book, there is something like a common mood, and that mood is really quite bleak and pessimistic. In fact, regardless of the quality of the stories, it's hard for me to say that I enjoyed this book because, more than anything, it left me feeling bad. By all means, literature and reading aren't only about pleasure and enjoyment, but they do matter.
As mentioned, the quality of the stories is fairly high, but with some weak ones. That said, the good ones were really good. Stories that made me sympathize with the fate of the characters, sometimes revolting, sometimes simply excellently crafted. There's creativity and a clear note of compassion. We're shown a lot of suffering, but it's not voyeurism.
I recommend this book, with the caveat that it's not an uplifting experience. There's nothing here to lift the spirits or to rekindle your faith in your fellow man.
December 18, 2014
Excerpt from What I’ve Been Reading: McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern #30
"With short story collections like these, it’s difficult to summarize, mainly because it’s a grab bag of authors and styles and stories. This one, with it’s Obama-centric cover of relief, is no different. It does, however, feature a Story by a Famous Person. Two or three issues ago, it was Stephen King (Ah! A Truly Famous Person in the hallowed pages of McSweeneys! What a Treat!). This time, it’s Michael Cera.
Yeah. Juno Michael Cera. Big Fancy Movie Star Michael Cera. The one guy who was poised to derail the entire idea of an Arrested Development feature film. That Michael Cera.
I wanted to hate the Michael Cera story, “Pinecone.” I really did.
But I didn’t. It was good. Not fantastic – it wouldn’t go into my fictional list of great short stories, a list I have been planning to create for several years – but good."
"With short story collections like these, it’s difficult to summarize, mainly because it’s a grab bag of authors and styles and stories. This one, with it’s Obama-centric cover of relief, is no different. It does, however, feature a Story by a Famous Person. Two or three issues ago, it was Stephen King (Ah! A Truly Famous Person in the hallowed pages of McSweeneys! What a Treat!). This time, it’s Michael Cera.
Yeah. Juno Michael Cera. Big Fancy Movie Star Michael Cera. The one guy who was poised to derail the entire idea of an Arrested Development feature film. That Michael Cera.
I wanted to hate the Michael Cera story, “Pinecone.” I really did.
But I didn’t. It was good. Not fantastic – it wouldn’t go into my fictional list of great short stories, a list I have been planning to create for several years – but good."
February 9, 2016
I came to the realisation today that I sort of read these like other folk read People Magazine. They are quick collections of interesting things that I can put between heavier books I read. That said Issue 30 made for a diverting day of reading. The story by acclaimed actor Michael Cera called "Pinecone" was well voiced and had a delicious ending (if that doesn't sound pretentious I don't know what does). I also enjoyed "Pfaff II" by Bill Cotter and I will have to see if I can find more work by Matei Visniec who wrote "Madness." "Foothill Boulevard" was my least favourite in the issue. I felt that the story was too long and lacked pacing. All in all I can't complain. McSweeney's=a good day of reading
August 20, 2009
As per usual, the packaging was brilliant and particularly simple for this issue: Obama-centered in oblique cover references. As a holistic artistic object/collection, I consider it a half-and-half. Half of the stories were brilliant, and the other half cheesy, consisting of a lot of stock characters and heavy on the indie father-son struggle. Stories you absolutely cannot miss: "The Beginning of a Plan" by Sheley Oria, and "Madness" by Matei Visniec.
February 17, 2009
As with most of the stuff that comes out of McSweeneys, I found the majority of this material (short stories) to be enjoyable, moving, and well-crafted. There were a couple stories that didn't ring my bell, but that's what happens with compilations I suppose. Overall, definitely worthwhile and enhanced by the (always)inspired art direction.
May 18, 2009
Michael Cera, in his first published short story, proves very capable and even more slyly funny than one would expect from his onscreen persona.
The stories by Carson Mell (my current favorite animator, of Wholphin "fame") and Welles Tower (best story this edition) redeem every piece of bad/pointless/ridiculously-self-indulgent fiction that McSweeney's has ever published. That good.
The stories by Carson Mell (my current favorite animator, of Wholphin "fame") and Welles Tower (best story this edition) redeem every piece of bad/pointless/ridiculously-self-indulgent fiction that McSweeney's has ever published. That good.
April 4, 2010
Definitely one of the better story collections from McSweeney's. Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events, Bad Karma, Diamond Aces, and Retreat were my favorites, but the whole collection really stood out. I think the only disappoint with this issue was the lackluster design. I guess McSweeney's has set the bar too high on that front.
June 24, 2011
This is the first issue of McSweeney's that I was able to find at Bookman's. Score! I love the editor's note that is mostly an explanation of Wells Tower's revision of "Retreat," originally published in Issue 23. I'm going to use that, as well as excerpts from "Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events" by Kevin Moffett, to discuss writing next year.
April 18, 2012
73/100
Mostly very strong, conceptual stories that are well written and crafted. Favourites include Wells Tower Retreat, Bad Karma by Keret, Madness by Matei Visniec, Diamond Aces by Carson Mell. Pinecone by Cera was really good, which sort of surprised me. He can write. He should stop acting and focus on writing.
Mostly very strong, conceptual stories that are well written and crafted. Favourites include Wells Tower Retreat, Bad Karma by Keret, Madness by Matei Visniec, Diamond Aces by Carson Mell. Pinecone by Cera was really good, which sort of surprised me. He can write. He should stop acting and focus on writing.
January 21, 2014
Different star ratings for different stories:
Pfaff II- 3
Stowaways-2
Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events- 4
Bad Karma- 3
The Beginning of a Plan- 2
Pinecone- 4 (!)
Diamond Aces- 4
Madness- 5
Cuts- 4
Foothill Boulevard- 4
Retreats- didn't read as it's a sequel to another story in an earlier McSweeney's
Pfaff II- 3
Stowaways-2
Further Interpretations of Real-Life Events- 4
Bad Karma- 3
The Beginning of a Plan- 2
Pinecone- 4 (!)
Diamond Aces- 4
Madness- 5
Cuts- 4
Foothill Boulevard- 4
Retreats- didn't read as it's a sequel to another story in an earlier McSweeney's
December 23, 2009
Great selection of stories that, in one way or another, reflect current concerns, particularly economic. Taking so long (almost a full year) to get through all of them lent an interesting perspective to the tone of the collection as a whole. Good, thoughtful work all around.
March 18, 2009
The Visniec story has a nice mythical feel to it, and the Moffet story is pretty funny, petty, and sad. Anyway, most of the other stories seem twee and coy and cute which is too bad since the whole cover is about hope or at least the idea of a better way for the new administration.
March 30, 2009
Some gems, but not very consistent.
The final story, a retelling of one published earlier, is less compelling than the story about it's history on the copyright page.
Still worth it for the good stuff!
The final story, a retelling of one published earlier, is less compelling than the story about it's history on the copyright page.
Still worth it for the good stuff!
April 12, 2009
An enjoyable straight-forward issue of McSweeney's, which seem to be fewer and farther between recently. I would have liked to have had the original version of Wells Tower's story in this issue as well for comparison, but I guess that might have defeated the point of the rewrite?
April 28, 2009
This is a fairly bleak collection, but there's some very good stuff here nonetheless. I was very surprised by Michael Cera's piece -- now he has to go commit to the Arrested Development movie already!
June 6, 2009
Literally enthralling. Story after story worth lingering over, shelving, and reading again on any given rainy day.
February 13, 2009
The Michael Cera story is the highlight. Otherwise, this is a pretty uneven collection.
May 3, 2009
another "why i read mcswy's" issue. my fav was probably kevin moffett's "further interpretation of real-life events,"but i liked'em all, which is pretty rare. ok, great review.
July 19, 2009
Some enjoyable stories, especially the Wells Tower one and the time stop one. The Michael Cera story was lame, unfortunately.
March 26, 2009
As always, McSweeney's delivers the hard-to-put-down collection of short stories. Maybe two stories I was not to found of, but that's just me.
April 6, 2009
The third story was really good. The rest? meh...
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