book data
106 ratings,
4.08
average rating, 11 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
April 1978
by New Directions Publishing Corporation
binding
Paperback, 202 pages
isbn
0811206807
(isbn13: 9780811206808)
description
Eight stories portray the world of the New York intellectual during the 1930's and 1940's, probing the conflict between ambitious, educated youths and...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 155)
All ratings
|
5 stars (35)
|
4 stars (48)
|
3 stars (19)
|
2 stars (4)
|
1 star (0)
|
avg 4.08
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
I got this book of short stories by Depression Era writer Delmore Schwartz specifically to read the title story "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" because I couldn't find it on the internet. Luckily I found it at the library. I'm realizing the less you pay for books the better, and anyone who tells you otherwise is either a) an idiot b) a publisher or c) someone who works at Anderson's on Chatsworth Avenue in Larchmont. Yo Anderson's Higherups, are you insane? You're prices are rid...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
The wickedness of delusion and pastoral dreamscapes intersect with the beating heart of the young person's desire to make yr own way, the spirit of seeing the world through two wide-open eyes and a dash of hope for a world more tolerant. I always come back to the stories contained herein. Why? Just because.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
The title story is a forgotten gem - simple in the telling, but prompting all kinds of philosophical reality/imagination specualtion. We're used to the metaphor now that life can be like a movie: Schwartz came up with it before anyone else I know. Some of the other stories took longer to make an impression on me. However, 'America! America!' subtly probes different perspectives and the nature of Jewish immigrant experience in early twentieth century America and the satire of 'The World Is A Wedd...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2009
"The world is a marriage of convenience," said Laura drunkenly, "the world is a shot-gun marriage. The world is a sordid match for money. The world is a misalliance. Every birthday is a funeral and every funeral is a great relief."
File under: the way you want to imagine America.
File under: the way you want to imagine America.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 1991
Sometimes I wonder if every story I try to write is just a pale imitation of the title story here. It's one of my longterm favorites.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2009
So far burn full painful. Done reading. tears...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Just delved into this collection of short stories. Steve Seidel, director of Project Zero at Harvard, mentioned the title story in a lecture I recently heard him give, and it piqued my interest. Not sure anyone reads Schwartz much anymore, but the first story in the collection, the title story, was and interesting, surreal depiction of a man dreaming about his parents' courtship. I'm still working on theories about how the story relates to the title. More on this one later.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
This is a collection of short stories written about 1930s New York. Many of the characters are Jewish or middle class and often are simple stories about families, young people trying to figure out what to do with themselves post-college, or random somewhat surreal stories. I found out about this book through the "Rough Guide to Cult Fiction" and think it makes a good addition to my growing amount of short story collections.
Like this review?
yes
2 comments
Read in January, 2002
I believe this guy taught Lou Reed... but that ain't just what makes him good. I thought the stories were tragic and alive.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1982
Another one in that category if I read it now, not sure how many stars I'd give it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
06/27/09
Amanda
is currently reading it

























