The Best American Short Stories 2005 (The Best American Series (TM))
by Michael Chabon, Katrina Kenison
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 286)
Read in April, 2008
I think I finally have to admit to being a fan of the short-story. I'm about half-way through this volume now, and like previous years, this one is filled with excellent writing. ... so why do I like the short story? maybe because sometimes I don't want to commit to entering into a long-term relationship with a book. ... I think, also, there is something about the short story that feeds the voyeur in me. ... In the same way I love walking around neighborhoods at night when you can see into peo...more
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Read in April, 2008
I like reading short story anthologies because I can tear through them faster than novels, and if I want, I can only read the stories that hold my interest after a paragraph or two. I did read this whole book, skipping around in the beginning, but finally buckling down and making sure that I covered every story.
My favorite stories included here are "Natasha" and "Hart and Boot."
My favorite stories included here are "Natasha" and "Hart and Boot."
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone who likes short fiction
It's hard to rate anthologies because the nature of the beast is diversity. I loved a few, liked many, and puzzled over the inclusion of others when they could have chosen ... oh, say, one of MY stories.
Anyway, I'm a Michael Chabon fan so it was cool that he edited this. And there did seem to be more genre-diversity, and forays into magical realism, than usual.
Anyway, I'm a Michael Chabon fan so it was cool that he edited this. And there did seem to be more genre-diversity, and forays into magical realism, than usual.
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Read in April, 2008
Truly a stellar year for short stories. I've read several of the BASS and this is at the top of my favorites. Many of the stories keep coming back to me so I can ponder them again and again. Favorites include: The Smile on Happy Chang's Face, Silence, Until Gwen, Anda's Game, The Cousins, Natasha, Hart and Boot - well, basically almost all of them!
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Read in February, 2006
This is the best collection I've read from this annual series. Michael Chabon shows his good taste with 20 stories that vary in topic but share many of the elements of good writing: surprising plot, inventive structure, rich characters and sentences that sing. 2005 was a solid year.
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I keep this book in my car for when I'm waiting in ferry lines.
There is an amazing variety, and my favorites are the Elmore Leonard story and the one I can't remember about the father and son con men. I'd look up the title, but it's out in the car.
There is an amazing variety, and my favorites are the Elmore Leonard story and the one I can't remember about the father and son con men. I'd look up the title, but it's out in the car.
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Read in January, 2008
Interesting, provocative selection of short stories from one of my favorite writers. This collection covers the gamut, from fantasy to straight literary fiction to an odd novella about a haunted house. Great if you don't have a lot of time.
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Borrowed from Heidi. I am about halfway through and, predictably enough, I'm loving Michael Chabon's selection of short stories. I wonder if any Dakar bookstore could order the one edited by Kelly Link...
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Read in April, 2008
So nice to get back to some short stories after...um... 10 years? Great collection. Reminded me that I really like Michael Chabon and need to read "Summerland"
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Read in December, 2007
Okay, I'm three stories shy of finishing this one -- someone else requested it from the library, grr. But there's a really good Dennis Lehane story in there.
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Read in January, 2006
Wildly uneven, but a few of these are great. Tom Perrotta's "The Smile on Happy Chang's Face" is one of the best stories I've read in a long time.
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Read in April, 2008
Surprisingly good Book Club book! We had tons to discuss! A couple of the stories where a little out there, but an overall great collection!
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Read in January, 2007
I usually really enjoy the best american short stories books, but not this one. "Anda's Game" was the only story in the book that I liked.
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Hit or miss stories, but there are a few gems. I particularly enjoyed Tom Perotta's and Charles D'Ambrosio's.
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Best American Short Stories series: Get 'em, read 'em, love 'em, or hate 'em...I don't really care
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Read in July, 2007
Pretty good read. I'm always impressed with writers finding new themes and subject matter.
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the bright yellow cover befits this lively, surprising year. thanks, michael chabon!
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Execellent opening by Paul Theroux. Writing is entertainment...
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I read this every year and this is my favorite collection so far
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