book data
180 ratings,
3.61
average rating, 26 reviews
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published
June 1st 2006
by Vintage
(first published 2002)
details
Paperback, 224 pages
isbn
0099481553
(isbn13: 9780099481553)
description
This is a collection of 12 birthday stories from some of the most distinguished authors of recent years. The stories have been selected and introduced…more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 300)
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avg 3.61
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in December, 2008
This book is a collection of short stories all having to do with birthdays. There were some really good stories that rung some notes for me, like the Denis johnson (Jesus' Son) story Dundun, its about what a drugged out bastard did on his birthday, if you like his style you'd like.
The bath by Raymond Carver was worth a read, it was pretty dark. The best one IMO is the birthday girl by Murakami. It asks the question what did you do on your 21st birthday. It tells a story about ...more
The bath by Raymond Carver was worth a read, it was pretty dark. The best one IMO is the birthday girl by Murakami. It asks the question what did you do on your 21st birthday. It tells a story about ...more
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Read in July, 2007
This is an anthology of lots of wonderful stories–seemingly eclectic but tied together through that theme of Birthdays (and also tied together by the fact that they were all chosen by Haruki Murakami). It’s an amazing exploration of birthdays told by a diverse group of writers, from various nations, of different genders and generations. My favorites are the choices of Ethan Canin (”Angel of Mercy, Angel of Wrath”), Raymond Carver (”The Bath”), and William Trevor (”Timothy’s Birth...more
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Read in December, 2009
Well, I will say this: the anthology made me want to read more by William Trevor and Andrea Lee, but as a whole, it just didn't do much for me, and Murakami's brief introductions for each author and story were disappointing and dull.
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Read in October, 2009
interesting collection of stories. somewhat in Murakami's style, but still they are far away from his standard.
some stories are very disturbing, but in general - nothing special.
some stories are very disturbing, but in general - nothing special.
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone who enjoys Haruki Murakami stories.
Birthday Stories was a mediocre collection at best. I found some of the stories to be too dark for my tastes; the only story I truly enjoyed was the Murakami story "Birthday Girl" as it was about the only positive story in the collection.
Still, this is a good anthology for anyone interested in Literary Short Fiction, containing several seminal pieces by well-respected authors. Even though the stories were too dark for me, they are well-written, good stories, centered arou...more
Still, this is a good anthology for anyone interested in Literary Short Fiction, containing several seminal pieces by well-respected authors. Even though the stories were too dark for me, they are well-written, good stories, centered arou...more
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This book, Birthday Stories, is an interesting concept for a collection, but unfortunately, it didn't leave a lasting impression. I recommend this for people with little else to read. Murakami's own birthday story, Birthday Girl, which is part of the collection, is the most entertaining piece. If you really must read his birthday story, you can do so by obtaining his Blind Willows, Sleeping Women book, which is a better way to spend twenty dollars. Also, for readers with a taste for trivia, ...more
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Read in December, 2008
recommends it for:
Haruki fans, people who enjoy wonderful snippets into the human condition
Finally finished this one, shortly after my birthday. I had meant to read it on my birthday, for obvious reasons, but I'm glad I didn't, since most of the stories are rather depressing (plus I had more exciting things to do than read). But I am glad I read it. The stories can be downers but are very good, some more than others, some simply wonderful. Almost all worthwhile and intriguing. Some aren't very Murakami, but then, he didn't write them, so that's to be expected. Overall, though, a worth...more
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Read in June, 2009
sad, warm, dark, fresh human stories.
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Read in February, 2008
This is a superb collection of short stories. In includes a number of familiar authors and some I'd never heard of. Two of those authors -- Daniel Lyons and Ethan Canin -- I'd really like to read more of. The best story is Murakami's The Birthday Girl. Although it could stand on its own. It really shines as an end piece to this collection.
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The styles picked by Murakami are diverse, the lengths and subject matter vary, stitched together by the theme of "Birthdays", and the authors picked are all stellar in their own right (although their particular story in this collection may not have been one of their best work). Still, some gems, particularly Wiiliam Trevor's Timothy's Birthday.
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Read in March, 2007
brilliant composition of short-stories with a simple thought behind it- birthday. Whether you've had bad birthdays or good ones you'll definitely enjoy this book becasue it not only reminds you of those birthdays but just any single memory you have that you can associate with a story or character in the book.
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Read in August, 2009
I really liked the idea and the introductions. The stories are not Haruki Murakami, but are worth reading and enjoyable, though some more than others.
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Read in August, 2007
Ummmm I cannot say I like it. The only story I like is Haruki's birthday girl, and the rest comes from different authors I do not know, and I do not like them.
One thing I like is the cover :) different from the one showing here, but it's nice.
One thing I like is the cover :) different from the one showing here, but it's nice.
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Read in January, 2006
this is the first of the Murakami book i have read. it is not really his own book, but it was that made me so curious to find him and read him.
and it all too funny, it wasn't my birthday when i bought this book, at least not for the next 10 months!
and it all too funny, it wasn't my birthday when i bought this book, at least not for the next 10 months!
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Short stories are not my thing I guess. I remember reading this and thinking the stories are ok, but the memories stop there. The book doesn't really make me want to track down novels by the different authors who contributed short stories to it.
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Read in August, 2007
Everyone's gotta go through a Murakami phase. I know I did. This collection is pretty good, an easy read, encompasses a few classics within, and the Murakami short he wrote just for this collection he assembled is one of the best in the book.
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Reading the stories in this book made me reconsider what birthday really means and how it is celebrated and thought of. A quick and delightful read.
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Read in August, 2009
Like all collections of short stories, this one is a mixed bag. My favorites were "Turning", "Forever Overhead", and "The Birthday Girl".
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Read in May, 2007
Good but I guess I'm wishing for a collection of Birthday Stories all by Murakami, rather than selected by him.
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