How I Came West, and Why I Stayed

by Alison Baker

A collection of thirteen quirky stories of order and chaos existing side by side includes the title story about a traveler hunting for cheerleaders in the frozen Rocky Mountains.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[Gabriel J. Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly only liked 2 out of the 13 short stories. Clearwater and Latissimus, and My Life In The Frozen North.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the collection, which I read years ago... But beyond 5 stars for the title story "How I Came West And Why I Stayed," a glorious, lyrical & loopy account of one woman's search for mythical cheerleaders in the Montana hills that I try to read once a year.

[Dane · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a couple really great short stories in here; my favorites were 'How I came West and why I stayed.', 'Love in the Winter', and 'Margaret Mead'. For me each story, quick and light reads, stayed firmly planted in the real while prodding into the surreal. Fun.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it was Chronicle Books that lured me north. I swear I've yet to read a book of theirs that I haven't loved.

[Susan Labudde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly original short stories. The one called Heaven of Animals worth the book alone. Have read this book 4 times and never tire of her freshness and originality and quirkiness.