A superb collection of stories—his first in twenty years—from one of our most acclaimed literary figures, whom The New York Times Bo...
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Apr 04, 2008
Kirk
rated it: 
Solid collection of late-period McGuane. The stories are largely oblong---that is, you can't find the center, and the endings come from odd angles that give a new perspective on the main conflict. The best here is "Cowboy," which succeeds largely because of the clever voice and the telescoping action. There are also at least two nostalgic childhood stories in the classic "Araby" mode---"Ice" in particular is affecting. A couple of the stories are a little too in the
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Jun 09, 2011
Jeruen
rated it: 
I have noticed something with regard to my reading habits. It seems that I am slowly warming up to the idea of reading a book that is not a novel, but instead is a collection of short stories. And this book that I recently finished is one of them.
The thing that usually irks me about short story collections is the fact that I usually find myself at a loss when I finally get to like the protagonist, and suddenly the story ends and another one begins. I suppose that is just how short stor More...
The thing that usually irks me about short story collections is the fact that I usually find myself at a loss when I finally get to like the protagonist, and suddenly the story ends and another one begins. I suppose that is just how short stor More...
Jan 02, 2012
Jeffrey
rated it:
When I moved to Arizona to go to college I supported myself working in bookstores and Jim Harrison and Thomas McGuane were the first modern writers that I read and identified with. So picking up this collection of short stories for me was like slipping on that ancient, comfortable pair of wear-bleached white blue jeans.
The Montana based stories in this collection are vintage McGuane. The two stories Vicious Circle and Old Friends featuring John Briggs were probably my favorite. I More...
The Montana based stories in this collection are vintage McGuane. The two stories Vicious Circle and Old Friends featuring John Briggs were probably my favorite. I More...
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Feb 05, 2009
Thomas McGuane has been praised for his remarkable writing style, emotional depth, and close observations about the American West. This collection, full of edgy wit, irony, and bleak characters, received the same acclaim as his previous works, but critics agree that some stories are better than others. "Miracle Boy" and "The Refugee" are complex and compelling, while "The Zombie" feels like filler. In fact, though reviewers agree that McGuane deserves a wider reader
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Oct 15, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
This is McGuane's most recent effort, and some of these stories seem either too brief or too long for their own good. Particularly, "Ice," "Vicious Circle," and the final tale, "Gallatin Canyon" left me with that unexplainable feeling of mystery usually characteristic of great short stories. Others like "Cowboy" and "Old Friends" seemed colder and more technical in nature, lacking the ability to evoke any sort of empathy from the reader.
Mar 24, 2010
Trish
rated it:
I had read two of the stories in this collection previously--probably Best American short stories or crime stories. I couldn't finish the longest one, The Refugee. Too damn much boating.
Favorite: "Cowboy," in which a farmhand condenses years of life on a ranch into 12 pages. Also, "Vicious Circle," in which a first date ends with the innocent-looking Olivia swamped by her alcoholic tendencies.
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Favorite: "Cowboy," in which a farmhand condenses years of life on a ranch into 12 pages. Also, "Vicious Circle," in which a first date ends with the innocent-looking Olivia swamped by her alcoholic tendencies.
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Nov 02, 2011
John
rated it:
Very enjoyable read. The long story "The Refugee" was three times as long as it needed to be. The rest were wonderful scenes of America. I found that I ddin't want to read the last three pages of the title story because I knew it would end in a way that I wouldn't like (great description of Idaho though).
Jan 14, 2009
Brett
rated it: 
Probably my last favorite book of the past few years. I was excited about the book because it's a series of short stories all set out west. Only one of them was any good though and I was really just wishing the book would end. Luckily it was only 220 pages so I didn't devote too much time to it.
Feb 21, 2009
So far I love the voice in these stories; the general gruffness brings me to the western places the stories take place, places that are similar to those I am beginning to understand thanks to the Myths of the American West course I am currently teaching.
Dec 22, 2011
I've never really gotten into short-story collections, but I cannot seem to focus on any one book, so thought I would give this a try. A couple of stories in and I am really enjoying McGuane's voice(s) and his use of the medium.
Oct 23, 2011
Jenn
rated it:
Now I will be one to say right out, I am not a fan of short stories.
Unless it's scary/horror stories.
These were really nice short stories.
Some were better than others, of course, that will happen.
But all in all, not a bad book.
Unless it's scary/horror stories.
These were really nice short stories.
Some were better than others, of course, that will happen.
But all in all, not a bad book.
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Mar 07, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
Short stories that are easy to read and rather amusing. First time I read this author, he is good.
Aug 20, 2011
Jesper
rated it: 
Love these stories and especially "Cowboy", which is one of my all-time favorite short stories.
May 23, 2010
Tuck
rated it:
i think the one story in here "refugee" is 5 stars. i love thomas mcguane
Jan 06, 2008
Adele
rated it:
Stories of the old and new West, given to me by my most trusted book source, one Macdonnell Gordon. Though McGuane writes with a masculine slant, he loves about the West what I do. Well, sort of. He writes more about cows, cowpokes and their ilk, of which I know next to nothing, but we are both fans of long horizons and big, open sky.
Nov 08, 2009
McGuane is an astounding writer and this collection of short stories is probably his best.
Apr 13, 2008
Karen
rated it:
My favorite story here is "Gallatin Canyon," which I've reread at least four times now. I love the new west/old west issues that lead to misunderstanding, especially in the realm of the personal. It's a collision course sure to be fatal to someone - and it is.
Mar 26, 2008
dead letter office
rated it:
he's the mirror image of alice munro. she starts the love of a good woman with a car sinking in a river. he ends this book with one. he's funny and unpredictable, and i like the dependable ridiculousness of his characters.
Aug 30, 2008
This book was recomended by novelist and book editor Jenny Shank as part of the Rocky Mountain Land Library's "A Reading List For the President Elect: A Western Primer for the Next Administration."
May 07, 2008
Amy
rated it:
I love Tom McGuane. He gets ranch life in a way Annie Proulx never will, regardless of her gorgeous language. He gets it because he lives it. I guess there's a lesson in there. "Cowboy" is brilliant.
Sep 22, 2010
QVT
rated it: 
Beware: This book can't be clipped on Kindle. It's fucking disgraceful and I wouldn't recommend buying it as a result.
Aliens is so bad. Otherwise I'd write a little more friendly review.
Aliens is so bad. Otherwise I'd write a little more friendly review.
Feb 13, 2008
Stephen
rated it:
Great series of short stories and really good reads if you just want to capture the essence of people in the west and how they think and feel things and express their emotions.
Dec 17, 2009
Jason
rated it:
For the most part the stories are dope. There is some weird-o shit going on at times, but whatevs. The dialogue is the gnar-gnar and McGuane is too.
Sep 25, 2011
Deb
rated it:
Wow. Why did I wait so long to pick this one up? Fascinating so far, and I am only on the second story. Reading this one on my iPad.
Mar 17, 2008
Abby
rated it:
I remember loving this collection but can't bring to mind one of the stories in it at this time.
Jul 04, 2008
Serenity
rated it:
I am not just biased because I live in Montana- these are great short stories.
Dec 17, 2009
Gavin
rated it:
Much plainer stylistically than McGuane's earlier work, but just as satisfying.
Feb 09, 2012
