Since its establishment in 1919, the O. Henry Prize stories collection has offered an exciting selection of the best stories published in hundreds ...
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Sep 12, 2011
A must for short story lovers (like moi!). At the moment, I've read only one story, Tim Johnston's "Irish Girl". I'm still not used to the idea of short stories as "impressions" of life, i.e instead of having an obvious story curve, the author gives you a scene in life and lets it take of from there, regardless of whether is even makes a story or not. "Irish Girl" is not revolutionary. It was, by no means, a new story nor does it try to be one. It's more of a study
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Oct 14, 2008
Yvette
rated it: 
How could I have forgotten about these collections? I haven’t deliberately pursued them in years. What a waste.
Not every one in this year’s offering shined hard, but several others more than made up for the small lack. Some, such as ‘Three Days. A Month. More.’ and ‘The American Embassy’, bring scenarios of the unbearable, intimately close. ‘Two Words’ is a piece of horror revealing a delusional father who lifts up prayers to his long-present, malicious sprite-god, while giving the p More...
Not every one in this year’s offering shined hard, but several others more than made up for the small lack. Some, such as ‘Three Days. A Month. More.’ and ‘The American Embassy’, bring scenarios of the unbearable, intimately close. ‘Two Words’ is a piece of horror revealing a delusional father who lifts up prayers to his long-present, malicious sprite-god, while giving the p More...
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Aug 29, 2010
Megan
rated it: 
I was so excited to find this anthology of the 20 best short stories from 2003. Each year, a panel of authors reads over a thousand published short stories to pick the 20 best.
I enjoyed many of the short stories. I had two favorite, both G-rated, that I would recommend to anyone:
*God's Goodness, by Marjorie Kemper
Whether she's traveling in a boat to America or going to bed on an empty stomach, Ling prays to God and thanks him for his miracles in her life. When she More...
I enjoyed many of the short stories. I had two favorite, both G-rated, that I would recommend to anyone:
*God's Goodness, by Marjorie Kemper
Whether she's traveling in a boat to America or going to bed on an empty stomach, Ling prays to God and thanks him for his miracles in her life. When she More...
Feb 18, 2009
Will
rated it: 
I am starting to find fault with this blasted rating system, but I'll give it a whirl...
First off, this collection is remarkably spotty. For twenty stories, I only liked all of four or five of them. In fact, some I couldn't believe were even published--let alone worthy of being included in an O. Henry Prize compilation.
Still, Bradform Morrow's "Lush" is a uniquely arranged pairing of two stories intertwined by an automobile accident, though it cleverly skirt More...
First off, this collection is remarkably spotty. For twenty stories, I only liked all of four or five of them. In fact, some I couldn't believe were even published--let alone worthy of being included in an O. Henry Prize compilation.
Still, Bradform Morrow's "Lush" is a uniquely arranged pairing of two stories intertwined by an automobile accident, though it cleverly skirt More...
Aug 07, 2011
A wonderful collection of short stories that would definitely encourage me to read the other years' collections. Two or three I passed over, but that is to be expected with such a wide array of subjects and styles. Pieces like The Thing in the Forest, The Shell Collector, Irish Girl, and Train Dreams are as satisfying ...as novels while pieces such as God's Goodness and The American Embassy are glimpses into humanity as telling as a report from Frontline or On Point. This is literature not as en
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Feb 02, 2010
Jane
rated it:
The jurors' opinions notwithstanding, "The Shell Collector" by Anthony Doerr was my favourite. It is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. It has stayed with me, as has "Sacred Statues" by William Trevor. I was disappointed Mr Trevor didn't write a few words about the writing/creation of this story. Or his thoughts on writing or stories in general. Or anything.
A. S. Byatt's "The Thing in the Forest" has also stayed with me, but not in a way More...
A. S. Byatt's "The Thing in the Forest" has also stayed with me, but not in a way More...
Jun 14, 2010
Titah
rated it:
I believe that O.Henry Award is a guarantee for amazing short stories.
I was stunned by 'Bleed Blue in Indonesia', written by Adam Desnoyer. A dark love story about the 'Big Unrequited Moment' i.e the idea that everybody has "something" that they wish they'd done in their past that would have made their lives drastically different. (Like what if I chose to work in Jakarta instead of become a dosen in Bandung).
If you want to know how a very short story (no more th More...
I was stunned by 'Bleed Blue in Indonesia', written by Adam Desnoyer. A dark love story about the 'Big Unrequited Moment' i.e the idea that everybody has "something" that they wish they'd done in their past that would have made their lives drastically different. (Like what if I chose to work in Jakarta instead of become a dosen in Bandung).
If you want to know how a very short story (no more th More...
Jan 07, 2012
LeeAnn
rated it:
I picked up this book because I wanted to read the novella, "Train Dreams"' about a man growing up and growing old in Idaho and this was a cheaper way to read it (0.99 paperback vs 9.99 Kindle for the novella) and it was fabulous. Unfortunately the rest of this collection (with some exceptions -- who doesn't love T.C. Boylle?) wasn't up to its level.
Mar 05, 2010
Josh
rated it:
These types of anthologies are usually hit and miss, and this one is no different. Amid the mediocrities and pleasantly readable stuff, though, are a handful of great stories by Denis Johnson, Alice Munro, A.S. Byatt, and Tim O'Brien, and a story by Adam Desnoyers called "Bleed Blue in Indonesia" that is so good it made me want to read everything by him immediately. Unfortunately, there isn't much. His story in this anthology was his first to be accepted for publication, and he has yet
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Jun 30, 2010
The O. Henry Prize Stories 2003 (Prize Stories (O Henry Awards)) by Laura Furman (2003)
Jan 09, 2008
Tamra
rated it: 
Favorites:
The Shell Collector - Anthony Doerr
Burn Your Maps - Robyn Joy Leff
Lush - Bradford Morrow
God's Goodness - Marjorie Kemper
Bleed Blue in Indonesia - Adam Desnoyers
The Story - Edith Pearlman
Swept Away - T. Coraghessan Boyle
Meanwhile - Ann Harleman
The High Road - Joan Silber
Election Eve - Evan S. Connell
Irish Girl - Tim Johnston
What Went Wrong - Tim O'Brien
Two Words - Molly Giles
Fathers - Alice Munro
The Shell Collector - Anthony Doerr
Burn Your Maps - Robyn Joy Leff
Lush - Bradford Morrow
God's Goodness - Marjorie Kemper
Bleed Blue in Indonesia - Adam Desnoyers
The Story - Edith Pearlman
Swept Away - T. Coraghessan Boyle
Meanwhile - Ann Harleman
The High Road - Joan Silber
Election Eve - Evan S. Connell
Irish Girl - Tim Johnston
What Went Wrong - Tim O'Brien
Two Words - Molly Giles
Fathers - Alice Munro
Jul 18, 2007
John
rated it:
Picked this book up because i read it had a great Denis Johnson story. And it -- "Train Dreams" -- was a great story, full of fascinating historical detail, american magickal realism, tall tale swagger, and humor, sadness and wisdom.
Right now I'm in the midst of reading what seems to be another great story by A.S. Byatt. Don't know about the rest of the stories yet, but based on these two stories, this book is worth it. IMHO.
Right now I'm in the midst of reading what seems to be another great story by A.S. Byatt. Don't know about the rest of the stories yet, but based on these two stories, this book is worth it. IMHO.
May 19, 2007
This one made the list solely on the basis of Denis Johnson's "Train Dreams," definitely one of my five favorite short stories of all time.
Now that I look at the table of contents though, I think there are even more reasons to check out this anthology. "Fathers," "The American Embassy," "The Thing in the Forest," "The Shell Collector," "Burn your Maps," and "Sacred Statues" are also great. A good year for O'Henr
Now that I look at the table of contents though, I think there are even more reasons to check out this anthology. "Fathers," "The American Embassy," "The Thing in the Forest," "The Shell Collector," "Burn your Maps," and "Sacred Statues" are also great. A good year for O'Henr
Mar 20, 2008
Colin
rated it:
Pretty dope - there were some real standouts here...it's always nice to really enjoy something and find out that it's the author's first published story. There's alot of stuff here by extablished giants like Denis Johnson and Alice Munro, but my faves were by people I had never heard of.
Highly Reccommended.
Highly Reccommended.
Apr 24, 2008
Rita
rated it:
It was a good read. My favorites were:
God's Goodness by Marjorie Kemper, Swept Away by TC Boyle and Lush by Bradford Morrow.
Like any collection with multiple authors, there will be good and there will be bad and you need to pick through and see what you like and what you don't.
God's Goodness by Marjorie Kemper, Swept Away by TC Boyle and Lush by Bradford Morrow.
Like any collection with multiple authors, there will be good and there will be bad and you need to pick through and see what you like and what you don't.
May 23, 2011
SmarterLilac
rated it:
While I contend there's no such thing as a 'bad' O. Henry Prize story collection, this one is superb. My favorite story in here is definitely 'Election Eve,' which was always in the back of my mind during my political awakening in 2004.
Dec 26, 2007
Christian
rated it:
I love these O. Henry prize winners books. They have always been my favorite. If you love short stories, or have limited time to get engrossed in a book, these are for you!
Feb 11, 2012
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