Established early in the last century as a memorial to the great American short story master O. Henry, throughout its history this annual collectio...
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reviews
Dec 18, 2008
Matt
rated it: 
So after my earlier enthusiastic embrace of the series, I went back and dug in, reading the edition from a couple years back and expecting the same weirdly off-the-wall magic. And what did I learn? Maybe that what I really love is the series editor Laura Furman.
This year has a different series editor, Larry Dark, and that's what I ascribe as the reason why the choices in this edition are so tame and boring. Lots of stories from the New Yorker and the NY crowd, which isn't a bad thing More...
This year has a different series editor, Larry Dark, and that's what I ascribe as the reason why the choices in this edition are so tame and boring. Lots of stories from the New Yorker and the NY crowd, which isn't a bad thing More...
Jul 23, 2011
Nicole
rated it: 
In the interview part of the DVD "Memento", Christopher Nolan mentions that his brother, Jonathan, wrote a short story about the same plot as the movie. So, I went to the library and ordered this book, as it contains Jonathan's story. Well, Jonathan's short story is nearly incomprehensible. Worse, the stories before it are all really weird, with awful characters. I cannot imagine that these were the best of the best that year. I know the thing that puts a lot of people off about s
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May 28, 2010
Lauren
rated it: 
The stories ranged from 3.6ish stars to five, so I averaged that out to a four star rating. Interestingly, I think some of the stories may suffer from the context. In other words, had I read them individually, when they appeared in their respective literary journal, I might have thought they were five star pieces, but when housed with other outstanding work, my brain pulled the inevitable compare/contrast trigger.
Que sera, sera.
In the end, this book only increased my alread More...
Que sera, sera.
In the end, this book only increased my alread More...
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May 26, 2011
Jacob
rated it: 
This year must have been an exceptional one for American short stories.
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Jan 31, 2009
Jessie
rated it:
Do Not Disturb by A.M. Homes. Great story. And of course, it's got Alice Munro. No short story compendium can ever really be complete without her.
Nov 02, 2011
Peter
rated it:
My favorites include "Good Old Neon," by David Foster Wallace, "The Ceiling," by Kevin Brockmeier, and "Memento Mori," by Jonathan Nolan.
Dec 16, 2009
kate
rated it:
i haven't actually read all of the stories in this collection, but the first prize winner, the ceiling by kevin brockmeister, is one of the best short stories i've ever read. it's about the complicated lives we lead...and a giant ceiling.
Aug 20, 2007
Cindi
rated it:
the first story in this volume is amazing, but i couldn't finish the rest. read the volume from 1996 or the collection from 1996 titled american voices: best short fiction by contemporary authors instead.(11/02)
Jan 09, 2008
Tamra
rated it:
Favorites:
Scordatura - Mark Ray Lewis
The Butcher's Wife - Louise Erdrich
Seven - Edwidge Danticat
Egg-face - Mary Yukari Waters
The Possible Husband - Don Lee
Big Bend - Bill Roorbach
Scordatura - Mark Ray Lewis
The Butcher's Wife - Louise Erdrich
Seven - Edwidge Danticat
Egg-face - Mary Yukari Waters
The Possible Husband - Don Lee
Big Bend - Bill Roorbach
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!
Jul 11, 2011
Eryn
rated it:
Favorites:
"The Butcher's Wife" Erdrich, "Do Not Disturb" Holmes, "That Last Odd Day in LA" Beattie, "The Hunter's Wife" Doerr, "Memento Mori" Nolan
"The Butcher's Wife" Erdrich, "Do Not Disturb" Holmes, "That Last Odd Day in LA" Beattie, "The Hunter's Wife" Doerr, "Memento Mori" Nolan
Jan 20, 2009
Jamie
rated it:
The grand prize story, "The Ceiling," is alone worth the price of admission.
Jan 20, 2012
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Dec 18, 2011
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