French Quarter Fiction: The Newest Stories of America's Oldest Bohemia

by Joshua Clark (Editor), James Nolan (Foreword), Lorin Oberweger (contributor)

"Branching across every genre, from mystery and romance to flash fiction and prose poetry, this anthology of works by preeminent writers on the heart of New Orleans features a previously unpublished story by Tennessee Williams, as well as stories by Richard Ford, Ellen Gilchrist, Robert Olen Butler, Andrei Codrescu, Barry Gifford, Poppy Z. Brite, Julie Smith, John Biguenet, Nancy Lemann, and Valerie Martin, among others. The characters in these works find themselves everywhere from Sarajevo on the eve of the First World War to Algiers Point just across the Mississippi River, but their stories are all anchored in the French Quarter. They wander from the 18th-century New World to a rooftop view of Bourbon Street on the cusp of the third millennium. Interspersed with the history of the city, these stories penetrate the standard clichTs and reflect the true sense of the French Quarterùits sensuality, mystery, the life behind its wallsùand lift the veils of privacy altogether. Whether surrealism or satire, these exceptional stories are beautiful, poignant, tragic, and comic."

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, when I was applying to graduate schools, the only scholarship offers I got from Ph.D. programs were from southern universities, all private, all prestigious. One was in Atlanta, one in Houston, and one in New Orleans. In the end I opted for Emory over Rice and Tulane, for a variety of reasons, mostly academic and some economic. During my time in Atlanta I visited The Big Easy on several occasions, usually for Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras, and whenever I did I felt vindicated in not choosing Tulane, not because it isn't a wonderful university (it surely is), but because I am certain that the combination of the best food and best music in the world, combined with plentiful liquor and relentless heat and humidity, would have done me in or rendered me senseless. I do not underestimate myself, but neither do I underestimate the seductive charm of the Crescent City, and this collection of stories, poems, and drink recipes captures a great deal of that charm.

The biggest weakness in this collection is that while it starts off strongly with stories set in or about the Vieux Carre, it departs from that formula and veers off with stories that are only connected to the city by virtue of the biography of the authors, which is not redemption enough in some cases. The volume is organized into chapters associated with famous potent potables with which the city is associated, but the connection to any thematic organization of the stories was lost on me. The character of the writings becomes a bit more experimental and occult-like as you move through the volume, and I felt that the music of the French Quarter deserved a bit more emphasis. All that said though, it was an enjoyable read even the second time through.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very much like the French Quarter - it is so eclectic and the stories were a reflection of that. Even though I enjoyed some of the stories, many I did not. When I'm in the French Quarter, there are streets and areas I avoid because they insult my sensibilities and it was the same with some of the stories in this book. I liked that I could easily picture the sights, sounds, feelings and smells that were described because of my familiarity with the Quarter.

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wish I could give this 0 stars. Should be titled “A bevy of white authors attempt to be edgy by using the N word 15 times in a story for no reason.” Only got halfway through before DNF’ing, and pretty much every story to that point was centered around a garbage white male engaging in casual racism and reducing women to their anatomy. I do not need to read a story by a male author in which the protagonist refers to women as “boxes” throughout and then provides zero commentary on that / has nothing to say about it whatsoever, in other words, zero reason to include in the story. Would throw into river except I don’t want to pollute it with more trash.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read an anthology of short stories. But in this day and age of people wanting quick gratification, I tend to think short stories have a bright future. I picked this particular one because it relates to my hometown of New Orleans. In enjoyed most of the short stories in this anthology, although there were a couple that I skimmed. It's interesting that most of them are set in the seedy side of town, but maybe that's the "target rich environment" for fiction writers.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't get to travel much anymore, so I grabbed this collection of stories off the dusty nether regions of my shelf. Interesting mix of stories set solely in New Orleans' Vieux Carré, so I should say something here—the one time I visited New Orleans, I stayed out of the Quarter because I knew the other neighborhoods were more compelling and richer than the tourist trap Quarter, so I suppose I read it with the hope of a wider view of New Orleans. Oh well, I guess I'll seek out a different book. This was nonetheless fun.

[Kelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked the book up because everyone knows I love New Orleans, but good God, I could not get even halfway through the book before I gave up. The stories were not interesting in the least and left me wondering what the point of each story was. Needless to say, the book was a did-not-finish.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

After our 2023 holiday visit to New Orleans, it was with great pleasure to listen to this collection of short stories at bedtime. Story after story helped me revisit New Orleans with my husband's voice leading the way.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the majority of these stories, they transport you into the cultural life of the French Quarter!

[Jim Teggelaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a shop in the French Quarter during a recent stay with my wife. I enjoyed reading some of the terrific prose when taking breaks from the warm weather.

[RaeAnna Rekemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

French Quarter Fiction edited by Joshua Clark is a great anthology about one of America's most iconic cities. I love reading anthologies, but I hate reviewing them. This is a really good one, though. I've read it a few times over the years because it's full of great stories about one of my favorite places on Earth. 
https://onthebl.org/2019/11/19/french...

[Aehavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in a bookstore in Buffalo, NY last summer. Damn, I was lucky to stumble upon it.. there are just so many eclectic stories in this anthology. I loved the weaving of cocktail, poem & short story & would recommend it to anyone who desires to make it to the French Quarter, or who dreams fondly of returning to the humid streets & alleys full of intoxicating inhabitants & characters.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess if I haven't picked this up since sometime last year, and I have no idea now where it is after our move, that I am not going to finish this one anytime soon. From what I remember of it, it was a far ranging anthology of stories that had some connection to New Orleans. I am not convinced that that is enough to bind these stories together in one volume. A few stories grabbed my attention, but for the most part, it was a slog. No rating as to try to assign a number at this point would be unfair.

It's back on my nightstand and I am plugging away at it again.

I finally finished it. Some interesting stories here. Some that are set in New Orleans, some that are written by New Orleans natives. Having visited the Crescent City a few times, I enjoyed the tales that mentioned locales that I recognized, but overall, I remain less than impressed with this collection. Not one of the tales was memorable enough to stick in my memory. Barely three stars.

[BJ Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis for this book said it branches across genre - and that's true. It also said that romance is one of those genre - but I obviously have a different definition of romance. I was expecting blues stories, and ghost stories, stories that take place in cemeteries or crypts. I must say that I had absolutely no idea that almost everyone in the French Quarter (to judge by this anthology) is depressed or suicidal or homicidal or on drugs. I do not recommend this as a guide to attract tourists!

My main purpose in reading this book was to find some new authors to read, and I found two, so I guess my search was successful.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories are often hard for me. I find myself reading too quickly, not absorbing the depth or complexities of the abstractions that require a reader to paint for themselves the vivid picture rendered by sparse but intentionally text.

Yet, with a grounding in the cracks, corners, and cornices of the French Quarter, these tales all ring with a nostalgia or longing for a New Orleans that I've never really lived, but nonetheless feel drawn to celebrate, recognize, or at least adore.

Many a fun read within!

[Mary Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from my boss when she visited New Orleans a week ago. My preferred reading material is romance, therefore my review may be lower than someone who enjoys literature. I have to admit that it takes me a while to get through the quirky short stories. I tried reading them in order, but later decided to visit the table of contents, and choose titles that speak to me. So far I enjoyed "Fairy Tale," because of the dialect and how the protagonist arrived in New Orleans. I've read 3 quirky stories so far.

[Katie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of short stories. There were a lot of great authors who represented New Orleans in a greatly varied way. New Orleans, to me, is relative to the user so it is fitting that each author crafted his or her characters to represent varied aspects of the city, times, and histories of N.O. There were only two stories I wasn't particularly interested in, but the rest were awesome.

[Aimée · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, the stories collected in this book (which, although a portion of the proceeds go to a Katrina fund, was written in pre-diluvian times), are entertaining, stirring, humorous, thought-provoking, well-done, etc., there are some clunkers. Bonus: a previously unpublished Tennessee Williams short story awaits you at the end. It's not that great, but it's worth reading.

[Gail Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading but so far the stories are as odd, quirky and poignant as the French Quarter rats, (what one author calls folks who live there). I'm thoroughly enjoying myself and wishing this peek into the courtyards and dysfunctions would never end.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

People who love NOLA and write about it are truly creative and unique. This books is filled with the characters you see or imagine in the Quarter. Only 2 of the essays didn't keep my attention but the remainder were thought-provoking in various ways.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the lines in one of the stories in this collection said that the French Quarter heals. For some of us, when we find it for the first time, a part of us that was missing finally feels at home. The vast majority of the stories in this collection reminded me of that feeling.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love NOLAand enjoyed many of these stories, some more that others. Would recomemd to anyone who loves the Cresent City.

[Janall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not enjoying this book, Sad stories of Sad lives, more Vegas than FQ. I just couldn't make myself finish- sent to goodwill

[Cornelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of only a few books I have not been able to finish. And I dearly love New Orleans. The stories just never grabbed me. After a few years of it sitting on the table, I finally let it go.

[Carmen Thong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories, gives a touch of New Orleans without being cliche ridden.

[Kai]

short stories set in or about New Orleans, from a host of different authors

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exquisite writing, but first printed pre-Katrina, seemed weighted heavily toward white European experience in a city that is much more diverse (which was much more balanced in the Akashic anthology New Orleans Noir).