From Allan Gurganus, author of the beloved, bestselling Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All and winner of the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fic...
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reviews
Mar 11, 2010
Jamie
rated it: 
I am going to have to be very careful in my review here for a few reasons. First off, I didn't finish the book (probably the first time I have been able to do that). Secondly, I know a lot of people thought this book was great and lastly for political reasons.
I think the best word to use to describe this book and its content is "raw". It is just so heart wrenching and stomach turning, for me anyways. The writing itself is good and pulls you in, even into stories I never tho More...
I think the best word to use to describe this book and its content is "raw". It is just so heart wrenching and stomach turning, for me anyways. The writing itself is good and pulls you in, even into stories I never tho More...
May 11, 2011
Caity
rated it: 
It's a series of short stories about white people and the "challenges" they endure in their lives. Satirical, funny, sad, scary, etc. It fits all genres of fiction I think. Mr. Gurganus uses some unique styles for short stories - he wrote an entire story as a series of letters about a mural contest... there are a few stories based on one family at different places in time from different view points. Its a very interesting read. So far, my favorite has to be the story where the mom give
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Feb 05, 2012
Ensiform
rated it: 
Some top-notch, moving, finely introspective American fiction in this collection:
“Minor Heroism: Something About My Father." Told from the point of view of the son as a child discussing his father the war hero; then the father as he looks with disgust and incomprehension on his grown son, a gay writer; then the child again, drawing a picture of his abusive father. Moving and funny and sad, crafted thoughtfully with a fine attention to detail and the human touch. Excellent.
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“Minor Heroism: Something About My Father." Told from the point of view of the son as a child discussing his father the war hero; then the father as he looks with disgust and incomprehension on his grown son, a gay writer; then the child again, drawing a picture of his abusive father. Moving and funny and sad, crafted thoughtfully with a fine attention to detail and the human touch. Excellent.
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Sep 25, 2008
Stephen
rated it:
I no longer remember where I first heard about this book, or what was said about it that sent me straightaway to amazon to place an order. The title rubs me the wrong way, so the review must have been more than glowing to overcome that.
Well, in terms of the writing, this collection of short stories deserves a glowing review. I can't recall another collection by one author, written in so many styles, that has prose of such consistent high quality. The unevenness comes in the stories t More...
Well, in terms of the writing, this collection of short stories deserves a glowing review. I can't recall another collection by one author, written in so many styles, that has prose of such consistent high quality. The unevenness comes in the stories t More...
Dec 23, 2008
B
rated it:
finished it -
but was disappointed.
2.5-3.5 stars, depending on the story.
after all the glowing reviews and after enjoying the Confederate Widow book so much, I'd really expected great things from this one, but i consistantly had a tough time embracing characters and storyline in about 2/3 of the short stories in this collection.
i enjoyed the last story - "Blessed Assurance" - it's momentum and characters were infinitely more powerful than the other st More...
but was disappointed.
2.5-3.5 stars, depending on the story.
after all the glowing reviews and after enjoying the Confederate Widow book so much, I'd really expected great things from this one, but i consistantly had a tough time embracing characters and storyline in about 2/3 of the short stories in this collection.
i enjoyed the last story - "Blessed Assurance" - it's momentum and characters were infinitely more powerful than the other st More...
Mar 11, 2008
Steven
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 26, 2011
Renate
rated it:
Indifferent short stories. I read the first four stories and half of the 5th, then followed fellow readers' advice and skipped to the last one, which was better than the others, but somewhat mawkish. Overall, I'd give this book a resounding "meh".
Aug 19, 2010
Ward
rated it:
It's a book you might put down, but you ought to pick it back up. Like the others said, "Blessed Assurance" is a beast.
Before the contents, there's a quote from Edgar Degas, along with others from Emily Post and Princesss Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins. "There is a kind of success that is indistinguishable from panic." Good pick.
Before the contents, there's a quote from Edgar Degas, along with others from Emily Post and Princesss Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins. "There is a kind of success that is indistinguishable from panic." Good pick.
Jul 09, 2011
Shoshana
rated it:
This is the second time I've read this book. The two stories I most highly recommend from it are "Reassurance" and "Blessed Assurance," but they are all written with a grace and compassion achieved by a very few authors. Compassion, I think, is the key word throughout this beautiful collection. All are a reflection upon family, legacy, and epiphany, whether sudden or across the breadth of lifetime.
Apr 02, 2009
Alex
rated it: 
honestly, i have two pages left but im ready to be done (like ready two weeks ago). it's a series of short stories and besides the last story, it wasnt that interesting. i liked the title and the first story was pretty good too - otherwise skip to the last one and be done with it. i actually almost returned it without finishing it which is rare for me but coming off the disappointment with the last short story collection i read (which also kept it's best story for last!), it was hard to work
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Oct 28, 2011
David
rated it:
I'd forgotten how much I'd enjoyed this this the first time around. This reading was a much richer experience- thanks, I'm fairly certain - to the amount of life experience I've had since that first reading. I'm not the greatest fan of short stories- but, I love this collection - and have been eyeing Gurganus' "Oldest Living Confederate Widow" as a re-read for this winter. Here we go again.
May 17, 2008
Liz
rated it:
If you read one story from this collection, read Blessed Assurance. I had to stop for a few days in the middle of that one because I was upset and guilty about what was transpiring. a few of the stories didn't do it for me, and those i didn't finish, but others were really BAM -- by which, i mean, they made me feel all familiar or uncomfortable or both at the same time.
Aug 14, 2010
Hannah
rated it:
WOW! Gurganus went to high school with my mother, and his stories about country club women and weird, small-town shit totally speak to me. In my highly professional opinion, he is the most under-rated contemporary writer in the South.
Dec 17, 2009
Ted
rated it:
Some of the stories in this collection are amazing. Gurganus really manages to capture the South in a profound way. I especially love "It Had Wings" and the last story in the collection - can't remember what it's called, but I still remember every detail of the story, which I read more than 10 years ago.
Sep 25, 2009
Ayne
rated it:
Those who loved the author's work “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” will not be disappointed here; Gurganus proves he’s a storyteller of breadth and depth, and has rightfully earned his place as a Southern writer of prominence.
Dec 16, 2009
Anna
rated it:
I am huge fan of Allan's-- personally and creatively-- and this book is absolutely stellar. The story are compelling and delightful and the writing is hilarious, lovely, original. Everything I've come to expect from this guy on and off the page.
Jul 18, 2007
Valley
rated it:
a charming gentleman. Bravely political.I was horrified when my editor added that he was gay to the article I wrote about him. I didn't think that was any of his beeswax!
Sep 12, 2007
Stephanie
rated it:
Sorry for the low stars, but I just couldn't get into this book. I know, I know, short stories, but it didn't hold my interest ...
Mar 08, 2010
carolyn
rated it:
Everyone else was right. The last story is fantastic. The rest of them just sort of left me tepid. The last story though...
Feb 12, 2012
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