book data
34 ratings,
3.53
average rating, 17 reviews
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published
August 12th 2008
by Algonquin Books
binding
Paperback, 448 pages
isbn
1565126122
(isbn13: 9781565126121)
description
This year, acclaimed short-story writer ZZ Packer chooses twenty distinctive stories representing the great number of voices and narratives coming out...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 80)
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5 stars (4)
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4 stars (16)
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3 stars (11)
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2 stars (0)
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1 star (3)
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avg 3.53
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2008
AFTER
I've not finished yet but am closing in on it and found some stories which drew me in far more than did others. Some authors names I recognized, others I didn't. Nothing I couldn't say of nearly any collection. Still, I must say I've enjoyed the book overall and look forward to finishing it.
BEFORE
This book arrived day before yesterday and I'll report back as soon as I've sampled some stories. Since Ron Rash has recently been well-received around CR, I think I'll ...more
I've not finished yet but am closing in on it and found some stories which drew me in far more than did others. Some authors names I recognized, others I didn't. Nothing I couldn't say of nearly any collection. Still, I must say I've enjoyed the book overall and look forward to finishing it.
BEFORE
This book arrived day before yesterday and I'll report back as soon as I've sampled some stories. Since Ron Rash has recently been well-received around CR, I think I'll ...more
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3 comments
Read in November, 2008
recommended to Laura by:
my writing teacherrecommends it for: no one
While I was reading this collection I made the comment that it seemed what it took for authors to make it into this anthology was to write depressing, boring, weird, or confusing stories.
The only story I thought was worth its salt was one about a pawn shop owner dealing with his nephew's methamphetamine problem.
I live in the South as a transplanted Californian and this collection makes this part of the country seem really one-dimensional and easy to forget. Nothing could ...more
The only story I thought was worth its salt was one about a pawn shop owner dealing with his nephew's methamphetamine problem.
I live in the South as a transplanted Californian and this collection makes this part of the country seem really one-dimensional and easy to forget. Nothing could ...more
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12/28/08
Meredith
is currently reading it
Read in December, 2008
I love short stories, and this collection doesn't disappoint!
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Read in January, 2009
I had a hard time getting through these short stories. Most of them I couldn't finish because of the language. I don't read books with bad language in them and most of the themes in these stories were about people with hard lives, bad decisions, and bad situations. I prefer themes with uplifting messages (which can include stories about bad situations but with a better outcome)and clean language. So....in essence, I am not able to give this book a good rating. It just wasn't for me.
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06/18/09
Jb
added it
Read in July, 2009
I'm only 4 stories in but I love it!
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Read in December, 2008
A collection of short stories and every single one of them is in someway distrubing or depressing.
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09/26/08
Terrea
marked it as to-read
I won this from Good Reads. So far I haven't gotten into the stories yet.
I honestly had to put it down after the introduction. As a Southerner, I felt kinda pigeon-holed by her description of the people of the South.
... Maybe once I blow off some steam about that I will pick it back up again.
I honestly had to put it down after the introduction. As a Southerner, I felt kinda pigeon-holed by her description of the people of the South.
... Maybe once I blow off some steam about that I will pick it back up again.
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Read in October, 2008
won from Goodreads.
Theory of realty: I could totally relate to that one. Make me remember some emotions I had in my early teenage years.
Others stories I really like: Lizard Man, Child of God, Lucky Seven & Galloway (I would totally read more stories with Galloway, loved that character!)
Theory of realty: I could totally relate to that one. Make me remember some emotions I had in my early teenage years.
Others stories I really like: Lizard Man, Child of God, Lucky Seven & Galloway (I would totally read more stories with Galloway, loved that character!)
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As I came to the end, I realized that practically all the short stories in this book (which is an anthology and has various authors) are about young girls coming of age in the south. You might not like it, if you're not big on that kind of thing. I loved it.
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Read in February, 2009
Some stories more interesting than the others, but what I particularly liked was Z.Z. Packer's introduction and description of "Southern" literature.
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Read in June, 2009
I love this series. My favorites this year were Theory of Realty, First Marriage, Lizard Man, and Leak.
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Read in September, 2008
Oh hell yes! Just as an anthology should be. Quite right, all around, and the last story was hooo-ey! a real humdinger.
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Read in October, 2008
Some of these stories are a little precious, and others are a bit strained. The best one, by far, is by Rob Drummond.
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Didn't get to the last story, but overall i really enjoyed most of these which is surprising with multiple authors.
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2 comments
09/18/08
Emily
is currently reading it
I won this book from the Goodreads giveaway and can't wait to read it!
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Read in August, 2008
really liking it so far, fours stories in...
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09/11/08
Dinh
is currently reading it
I won this from First Reads!
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