Since its inception in 1915, the Best American series has become the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction....
read full description
reviews
May 21, 2009
Donald
rated it: 
(before reading)Something I recently posted on a writing forum had been compared to an author that shows up in this collection. Naturally, I looked said author up and grabbed the first thing I could get my hands on with a sample of his writing. This should be interesting... (after reading)I'm not mentioning any names after reading this, but I don't see the comparison. After that comparison I like comparisons even less.
Regarding the collection: Eh... The title seems a bit of a misnome More...
Regarding the collection: Eh... The title seems a bit of a misnome More...
Jul 26, 2009
Hannah
rated it: 
Big collections of short stories are hit or miss. I started the Best Stories of the Century (part of the same series) and didn't like it, although I'd read the Best of 1999 (I think) and loved it.
But this collection was FABULOUS. It was a good year for short stories, and or Lorrie Moore has impeccable taste. Her introduction was interesting as well, talking about choosing the stories because of the very real human voices in them. Because of that, I think I definitely got a lot more o More...
But this collection was FABULOUS. It was a good year for short stories, and or Lorrie Moore has impeccable taste. Her introduction was interesting as well, talking about choosing the stories because of the very real human voices in them. Because of that, I think I definitely got a lot more o More...
Jan 05, 2008
Ryan
rated it: 
While reviewing every story in this anthology would be beyond the limits of my attention span, the 2004 edtion contains my favorite story by Sherman Alexie, ¨I Will Redeem What You Pawn,¨ I believe is the title.
While I´ve long been an admirer of Alexie´s writing, I haven´t ever much liked Alexie as a person; a lot of a person´s attitudes about life come through in their writing, and while I appreciate Alexie´s fearlessness, wry, ironic humor, and compassion for native peoples living More...
While I´ve long been an admirer of Alexie´s writing, I haven´t ever much liked Alexie as a person; a lot of a person´s attitudes about life come through in their writing, and while I appreciate Alexie´s fearlessness, wry, ironic humor, and compassion for native peoples living More...
Aug 26, 2009
Mark
rated it:
I wish I could say that Best 2004 took so long to read because I was savoring each story, but not so much. Of the twenty stories in the anthology, I would say I liked about half of them. That makes it the most disappointing of these collections that I have read (I’d read five of them before this one).
I like reading stories from newly discovered authors, but the strongest stories this year came from seasoned storywriters – Alice Munro, Annie Proulx, and John Updike. Many of the other More...
I like reading stories from newly discovered authors, but the strongest stories this year came from seasoned storywriters – Alice Munro, Annie Proulx, and John Updike. Many of the other More...
Nov 29, 2007
Daniel
rated it:
I enjoyed this collection moreso than the collection of essays of the same year. Some of these stories I even enjoyed quite a bit. However, even in this, none of the stories sits with me as I reflect back a month or more to when I read them. Once or twice I tried to take note of the author's name because I liked a piece, but I haven't yet found myself interested enough to seek out new works by any of these writers.
In one or two cases, I found the works to be rather pretentious -- wri More...
In one or two cases, I found the works to be rather pretentious -- wri More...
May 31, 2007
Erinina Marie
rated it: 
The Best American Short Stories of 2004 edited by Lorrie Moore
I’d have to say, for the best of 2004, theses weren’t half as interesting as they could have been. It was actually a challenge to keep reading. On the other hand, I read L Magazine’s first Fiction Issue during this time and the three or four stories in there were fabulous. When a book is compiled of stories in multiple magazines over a year long period, one magazine issue shouldn’t entirely trump the book, right? Sad day. More...
I’d have to say, for the best of 2004, theses weren’t half as interesting as they could have been. It was actually a challenge to keep reading. On the other hand, I read L Magazine’s first Fiction Issue during this time and the three or four stories in there were fabulous. When a book is compiled of stories in multiple magazines over a year long period, one magazine issue shouldn’t entirely trump the book, right? Sad day. More...
Feb 12, 2009
SmarterLilac
rated it:
Ugh. Sometimes I think the series' editor isn't even trying anymore.
May 05, 2009
Aaron
rated it:
I had to read this for a fiction writing class, and I thought that was so bogus.
Feb 25, 2008
Rob
rated it:
I'm a big fan of HM's Best American Short Stories series. I enjoy how each year each guest author brings their sensibilities to the collection. In a way, the collected works are a Rorschach test of the guest editor's tastes and their selections reflect their work.
The 2004 Best American guest editor is Lorrie Moore, a writer whose work really doesn't grab me. This is reflected in her selections therefore I found this to be one of the less satisfying editions in the collection.
The 2004 Best American guest editor is Lorrie Moore, a writer whose work really doesn't grab me. This is reflected in her selections therefore I found this to be one of the less satisfying editions in the collection.
Mar 17, 2008
christina
rated it:
I am an enthusiast when it comes to the "Best American..." series.
The problem is at this point I am getting confused as to which I have read or not, they look so close to the same!
My request? An added little icon in the corner of each cover helping me distinguish, a fuzzy bee or a winter tree even an angry baby face, anything would help!
I have also started delving into the Essays and Travel Writing collections...
The problem is at this point I am getting confused as to which I have read or not, they look so close to the same!
My request? An added little icon in the corner of each cover helping me distinguish, a fuzzy bee or a winter tree even an angry baby face, anything would help!
I have also started delving into the Essays and Travel Writing collections...
Dec 26, 2007
Robyn
rated it:
Stories I especially liked:
A Rich Man by Edward P. Jones
Intervention by Jill McCorkle
Runaway by Alice Munro
What You Pawn I will Redeem by Sherman Alexie
Written in Stone by Catherine Brady
Accomplice by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum
Screenwriter by Charles D’Ambrosio
The Tutor by Nell Freudenberger
A Rich Man by Edward P. Jones
Intervention by Jill McCorkle
Runaway by Alice Munro
What You Pawn I will Redeem by Sherman Alexie
Written in Stone by Catherine Brady
Accomplice by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum
Screenwriter by Charles D’Ambrosio
The Tutor by Nell Freudenberger
Aug 28, 2010
Deirdre
rated it: 
These stories were universally "slice of life" stories without much plot/climax, etc. Many of the stories were pretty depressing, much alcoholism, etc. I enjoy reading as entertainment, so would have liked some mystery or humor in at least a few of the stories in this collection.
Sep 12, 2010
David
rated it:
There are some excellent stories in this collection. Some I like better than others, but all are wonderful reading. Nice way to sample the short stories published in a year. I may have to start picking these up every year.
Aug 06, 2008
Meredith
rated it:
Favorite stories:
"Tooth and Claw" - T.C. Boyle
"Accomplice" - Bynum
"Some Other, Better Otto" - D. Eisenberg
"Intervention" - McCorkle
"Runaway" - Munro
"A Walk with Elizanne" - Updike
"Tooth and Claw" - T.C. Boyle
"Accomplice" - Bynum
"Some Other, Better Otto" - D. Eisenberg
"Intervention" - McCorkle
"Runaway" - Munro
"A Walk with Elizanne" - Updike
Jul 25, 2007
Lulu
rated it:
This is a great compliation. I am in love with the first story-Sherman Alexi's "What you Pawn, I will Redeem". It's one of the best short stories I've ever read.
Jun 11, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
I love Lorrie Moore and I love her taste in short stories. Witty, dry, subtly heartbreaking. Loved almost all of 'em.
May 06, 2008
I pick this up between books I'm reading - they're usually pretty good selections!
Jul 12, 2009
Chris
rated it:
great collection, and it made me want to read Lorrie Moore, for which I am blessed
Feb 07, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
Feb 01, 2012
