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Subway Dancer and Other Stories
SUBWAY DANCER AND OTHER STORIES is a new collection of gripping short fiction by Catherine Ryan Hyde, the bestselling author of many beloved novels, including DON’T LET ME GO and PAY IT FORWARD, and of other critically acclaimed short story collections, including EARTHQUAKE WEATHER and ALWAYS CHLOE.
A striking and emotionally resonant collection, SUBWAY DANCER AND OTHER STORIES is a compilation of stories originally published in some of the most respected literary magazines in the country, including The Antioch Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train and Ploughshares.
In the award-winning story “Bloodlines,” two neighbors of different ethnicities are friends in spite of their differences…until an argument about expensive purebred dogs versus mutts from the pound brings the whole neighborhood’s precarious balance crashing down. “Bloodlines” was reprinted in Bark Magazine’s best-selling anthology Dog is My Co-Pilot and was cited in Best American Short Stories.
In Witness to Breath, a woman living a dangerous life working on the streets takes in an elderly dog left behind when his owner is killed in a robbery. Despite never having been a dog person, their brief relationship changes her in ways she never could have expected.
In Disappearances, a man not fluent in his own emotions tries unsuccessfully to broadside a train in his pickup truck, then spends the rest of the story figuring out the first clue to why he’d try to do such a thing.
Among the other riveting and beautifully crafted stories included in this collection, “Five Singing Gardeners and One Dead Stranger” and “Requiem For a Flamer” were nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and “The Man Who Found You in the Woods” was cited in Best American Short Stories.
This collection includes an Author’s Note by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
A striking and emotionally resonant collection, SUBWAY DANCER AND OTHER STORIES is a compilation of stories originally published in some of the most respected literary magazines in the country, including The Antioch Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train and Ploughshares.
In the award-winning story “Bloodlines,” two neighbors of different ethnicities are friends in spite of their differences…until an argument about expensive purebred dogs versus mutts from the pound brings the whole neighborhood’s precarious balance crashing down. “Bloodlines” was reprinted in Bark Magazine’s best-selling anthology Dog is My Co-Pilot and was cited in Best American Short Stories.
In Witness to Breath, a woman living a dangerous life working on the streets takes in an elderly dog left behind when his owner is killed in a robbery. Despite never having been a dog person, their brief relationship changes her in ways she never could have expected.
In Disappearances, a man not fluent in his own emotions tries unsuccessfully to broadside a train in his pickup truck, then spends the rest of the story figuring out the first clue to why he’d try to do such a thing.
Among the other riveting and beautifully crafted stories included in this collection, “Five Singing Gardeners and One Dead Stranger” and “Requiem For a Flamer” were nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and “The Man Who Found You in the Woods” was cited in Best American Short Stories.
This collection includes an Author’s Note by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2013
526 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
72 books6,166 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 28, 2013
In this collection of short stories, the author touches on multiple themes, including ordinary racism, latent bisexuality, child abuse, suicidal tendencies, alcoholism, and more. However, there is a common thread: the characters are usually hovering at some sort of turning point (or peak, or gully or cusp or whatever) in their trajectory and taking stock. The majority of the stories are told through a lone character's voice and tend to have a confessional, introspective quality, although a few selections cover a wider angle.
Despite the fact that there is a heart on the cover (I almost rejected the idea of reading this because of that damn heart but actually it's not that bad of a cover design but I'm falling off the subject here) no drippy drops of sentimentality are squeezed out of these short narratives, which suited me just fine! The writing is direct and pretty compact, emotions are never wrenched out of the characters (they often don't really know what they feel) and the situations are sometimes very bleak.
My only complaint would be with two or three of these stories, especially the one written in the second person as the protagonist addresses herself; a little device that I find particularly annoying. Well, authors have to experiment...
Oh, and there are plenty of dogs mentioned or just hanging out in these stories (kind of like walk-ons and extras, although a couple have bigger roles) and they lend an interesting presence to some of the scenes.
Despite the fact that there is a heart on the cover (I almost rejected the idea of reading this because of that damn heart but actually it's not that bad of a cover design but I'm falling off the subject here) no drippy drops of sentimentality are squeezed out of these short narratives, which suited me just fine! The writing is direct and pretty compact, emotions are never wrenched out of the characters (they often don't really know what they feel) and the situations are sometimes very bleak.
My only complaint would be with two or three of these stories, especially the one written in the second person as the protagonist addresses herself; a little device that I find particularly annoying. Well, authors have to experiment...
Oh, and there are plenty of dogs mentioned or just hanging out in these stories (kind of like walk-ons and extras, although a couple have bigger roles) and they lend an interesting presence to some of the scenes.
October 2, 2017
I don't care for short stories BUT
Ok, I liked these. She touches my heart, the stories are well developed.. some of them really make you think!
Ok, I liked these. She touches my heart, the stories are well developed.. some of them really make you think!
September 6, 2019
Each story was unique and riveting. They have great short-story style, grabbing at the beginning with a sort of disorientation of something unknown and then moving the reader along immersed in the flow. The themes are stirring while reading and provoke thoughts and questions after. Great story telling.
November 25, 2018
Interesting
An interesting collection of short stories. This author must have had a heck of a life to have such a grasp of the human condition. Great job.
An interesting collection of short stories. This author must have had a heck of a life to have such a grasp of the human condition. Great job.
October 9, 2020
This is a pretty good collection of short stories. I liked all but three of them, and with those three it was more to do with how they were written than with how well they were written. More about that in a moment.
I guess I would call these stories slice of life stories. They are not "Once upon a time" and then "Happily ever after" tales. Instead we are allowed a glimpse into the life of a character and the people around him/her. Most writers would aim for some cataclysmic or climactic moment in their lives, but here the events are meaningful but often internal. An example is "Requiem for a Flamer." The story concerns two men whose loved ones have been killed in an airplane crash. I would expect such a story to begin with a white-knuckle description of the final moments of the crash itself. It could have shown those loved ones interacting during their final moments, foreshadowing their surviving partners getting to know each other. And that could have been a great story also. But Catherine's stories are more subtle than that. They are mostly about the characters, their thought processes and how they react to life, rather than about special effects. (Okay, there is a story involving a spectacular car crash, but it is the exception that highlights the rule.)
In a way Catherine's writing in this collection reminds me of the late Raymond Carver, one of the modern masters of the short story. He wrote slice of life stories about regular people. His stories could be bleak, because his characters were often people at a low ebb in their lives. His minimalist writing style - no long descriptions or flowery language - influenced my writing a lot. His characters and their dialogue always feels real, if a little depressing sometimes. At least one other reviewer says that Catherine's stories are depressing. They are not - they should read Carver to see the difference. Her stories and her characters are imbued with hope and the characters are often kind to each other. There may not be happily ever after endings, but they end where they need to end. My writing contains a lot more humor and upbeat moments than Raymond Carver's stories, and Catherine's tales are somewhere in between those two extremes. One reviewer said her other works are more upbeat, so even if you find these stories a bit bleak (my favorite word in this review, apparently!) than don't give up on her.
Catherine doesn't employ that great writing crutch - the major plot twist - but that doesn't mean her stories are predictable either. I was slightly surprised quite a few times by small plot turns. For example, in the story about the airplane crash survivors, one of them performs a small kindness at the end that I didn't see coming, but it felt real as I read it. And in a story about quarreling neighbors, I felt a tragic ending coming a mile away, but she didn't take that well-worn path.
I mentioned a few stories I didn't care for. Two of them are written in the second person viewpoint. As a writer I know this is a difficult but legitimate way to write a story, but I've never liked it. What does second person mean, you ask? Most writing is first or third person. First person: I stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Third person: He stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Second person: You stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Second person always feels awkward to me, but that could just be me. The other story I didn't care for is the one the book is named after, "Subway Dancer," but I can't even tell you why. Just one of those things. Some of my favorite albums have a song on them I don't care for: no big deal. You may love those three stories.
So in closing I will just say this collection was well-worth reading. No two stories are alike, and Catherine gets inside her characters and makes you care about what happens to them. They don't always make the right choices and they sometimes pay for that. These stories are realistic and yes, a bit bleak in places, but the characters don't give up. They usually try to do the right thing, which is why I said that the stories are imbued with hope.
I guess I would call these stories slice of life stories. They are not "Once upon a time" and then "Happily ever after" tales. Instead we are allowed a glimpse into the life of a character and the people around him/her. Most writers would aim for some cataclysmic or climactic moment in their lives, but here the events are meaningful but often internal. An example is "Requiem for a Flamer." The story concerns two men whose loved ones have been killed in an airplane crash. I would expect such a story to begin with a white-knuckle description of the final moments of the crash itself. It could have shown those loved ones interacting during their final moments, foreshadowing their surviving partners getting to know each other. And that could have been a great story also. But Catherine's stories are more subtle than that. They are mostly about the characters, their thought processes and how they react to life, rather than about special effects. (Okay, there is a story involving a spectacular car crash, but it is the exception that highlights the rule.)
In a way Catherine's writing in this collection reminds me of the late Raymond Carver, one of the modern masters of the short story. He wrote slice of life stories about regular people. His stories could be bleak, because his characters were often people at a low ebb in their lives. His minimalist writing style - no long descriptions or flowery language - influenced my writing a lot. His characters and their dialogue always feels real, if a little depressing sometimes. At least one other reviewer says that Catherine's stories are depressing. They are not - they should read Carver to see the difference. Her stories and her characters are imbued with hope and the characters are often kind to each other. There may not be happily ever after endings, but they end where they need to end. My writing contains a lot more humor and upbeat moments than Raymond Carver's stories, and Catherine's tales are somewhere in between those two extremes. One reviewer said her other works are more upbeat, so even if you find these stories a bit bleak (my favorite word in this review, apparently!) than don't give up on her.
Catherine doesn't employ that great writing crutch - the major plot twist - but that doesn't mean her stories are predictable either. I was slightly surprised quite a few times by small plot turns. For example, in the story about the airplane crash survivors, one of them performs a small kindness at the end that I didn't see coming, but it felt real as I read it. And in a story about quarreling neighbors, I felt a tragic ending coming a mile away, but she didn't take that well-worn path.
I mentioned a few stories I didn't care for. Two of them are written in the second person viewpoint. As a writer I know this is a difficult but legitimate way to write a story, but I've never liked it. What does second person mean, you ask? Most writing is first or third person. First person: I stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Third person: He stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Second person: You stood in the hallway, waiting for something to happen. Second person always feels awkward to me, but that could just be me. The other story I didn't care for is the one the book is named after, "Subway Dancer," but I can't even tell you why. Just one of those things. Some of my favorite albums have a song on them I don't care for: no big deal. You may love those three stories.
So in closing I will just say this collection was well-worth reading. No two stories are alike, and Catherine gets inside her characters and makes you care about what happens to them. They don't always make the right choices and they sometimes pay for that. These stories are realistic and yes, a bit bleak in places, but the characters don't give up. They usually try to do the right thing, which is why I said that the stories are imbued with hope.
March 3, 2020
Mixed review
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of this author's novels .Her protagonists always experience growth and minor triumphs. In this book of short stories the vast majority of the characters are overwhelmed by the obstacles they face and are worse off at the end of the story . I found most of the the stories to be depressing rather than hopeful. On the other hand the story about the abandoned baby was exceptional and the story about the grieving dog was reminiscent of the author's inspirational novels .
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of this author's novels .Her protagonists always experience growth and minor triumphs. In this book of short stories the vast majority of the characters are overwhelmed by the obstacles they face and are worse off at the end of the story . I found most of the the stories to be depressing rather than hopeful. On the other hand the story about the abandoned baby was exceptional and the story about the grieving dog was reminiscent of the author's inspirational novels .
May 8, 2025
I am a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde (although her earlier books are much better than her more recent books). This collection of short stories may seem depressing, but they are realistic, slice-of-life stories that are truly gripping. They really tug at your heartstrings and give you unforgettable characters facing difficult situations. Very well written!
May 29, 2020
Depressing
Every one of these stories are sad. It's not that the writing is bad, Catherine Ryan Hyde is an excellent writer. But these are the worst bits of what would be one of her usually uplifting stories. Better to read one of her finished novels than these short stories.
Every one of these stories are sad. It's not that the writing is bad, Catherine Ryan Hyde is an excellent writer. But these are the worst bits of what would be one of her usually uplifting stories. Better to read one of her finished novels than these short stories.
May 13, 2024
Typically, Beautifully Catherine.
Subtle, sometimes puzzling, always thought-provoking stories that positively demand that the reader brings something to the party. I have read many books by Ms. Hyde. All worthwhile. This one is no exception, “literary” though it may be. .
Subtle, sometimes puzzling, always thought-provoking stories that positively demand that the reader brings something to the party. I have read many books by Ms. Hyde. All worthwhile. This one is no exception, “literary” though it may be. .
Read
November 6, 2025Fascinating Stories
I don't usually read stories, but since my favorite author wrote these, I chose to make an exception. I'm glad I did. They were all interesting and quirky and intense at times. And actually just long enough.
I don't usually read stories, but since my favorite author wrote these, I chose to make an exception. I'm glad I did. They were all interesting and quirky and intense at times. And actually just long enough.
November 23, 2025
I Didn't get It
I love books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but I didn't get the point of any of the short stories in this one. Sorry, none of them made any sense to me. Maybe they weren't supposed to and that was the point.
I love books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but I didn't get the point of any of the short stories in this one. Sorry, none of them made any sense to me. Maybe they weren't supposed to and that was the point.
May 31, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
February 8, 2022
Great read
A collection of thought provoking stories about everyday life. Great stories about people from all walks of life, trying to navigate confusing situations.
A collection of thought provoking stories about everyday life. Great stories about people from all walks of life, trying to navigate confusing situations.
April 25, 2022
Highly Recommended
Catherine Ryan Hyde books are 5 stars. Short stories a close second with 4 stars. I will continue to love her writing.
Catherine Ryan Hyde books are 5 stars. Short stories a close second with 4 stars. I will continue to love her writing.
November 23, 2025
Not really enjoying her short stories that much
January 10, 2014
I added this title to my reading list when it was offered as a free download last week. This is the author whose best-known novel, Pay It Forward, was adapted into a film.
Short stories are making a comeback. They are ideally suited for reading on a Kindle. You could read a whole short story during a journey, daily commute, in a waiting room, during the lunchbreak at your workplace or, of course, at home.
For readers seeking such short fiction, you need look no further than this wonderful compilation.
My own favourite was 'Bloodlines'. Easily the FUNNIEST story I've read in a very long time. It was a SCREAM!! It was cited in Best American Short Stories 2002 and reprinted in the New York Times best-selling anthology 'Dog is My Co-Pilot' in 2003. If you read this yarn during a journey, you could end up laughing out loud, and so alarm fellow passengers. Of course, you might think that would be rather fun. Or how about trying it in, say, a hospital or doctor's waiting room?
Two other favourites were The Worry Stone, a tale about the recipient of a donated heart, and The Man Who Found You In The Woods. The latter was also cited in Best American Short Stories 2002. These two short stories were later 'fleshed out' by the author and became her novels 'Second Hand Heart' and 'When I Found You' respectively.
I highly recommend this book of 15 stories. In fact, I can't recommend it highly enough. All stories are set in the United States.
Short stories are making a comeback. They are ideally suited for reading on a Kindle. You could read a whole short story during a journey, daily commute, in a waiting room, during the lunchbreak at your workplace or, of course, at home.
For readers seeking such short fiction, you need look no further than this wonderful compilation.
My own favourite was 'Bloodlines'. Easily the FUNNIEST story I've read in a very long time. It was a SCREAM!! It was cited in Best American Short Stories 2002 and reprinted in the New York Times best-selling anthology 'Dog is My Co-Pilot' in 2003. If you read this yarn during a journey, you could end up laughing out loud, and so alarm fellow passengers. Of course, you might think that would be rather fun. Or how about trying it in, say, a hospital or doctor's waiting room?
Two other favourites were The Worry Stone, a tale about the recipient of a donated heart, and The Man Who Found You In The Woods. The latter was also cited in Best American Short Stories 2002. These two short stories were later 'fleshed out' by the author and became her novels 'Second Hand Heart' and 'When I Found You' respectively.
I highly recommend this book of 15 stories. In fact, I can't recommend it highly enough. All stories are set in the United States.
June 27, 2017
I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but like everything else, they have their place. However I am a big fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde, and so this was a must read for me. Even though there is a hard on the cover of the book, this is not a collection of warm, fuzzy, feel-good stories. They are about "broken" people with a number of different themes, including racism, abandonment, transgender, suicide, alcoholism, and just about anything else you could think of in today's society. She doesn't waste words and is very direct in her writing, and I have discovered one reason short stories are not my favorite -- you don't get to know the characters as well, although in a couple of these stories, I wanted more and was very happy to find out that my favorite has since become a full-length novel When I Found You. Pick these stories up to read when you only have a few minutes, and the characters will stay with you although at first you may have a hard time figuring out who is telling the story because she has a gift of changing her POV from grownups to children, both male and female.
February 16, 2014
Short stories are sometimes, like poetry, neglected by an author's novel readers as inaccessible or not of interest. I personally enjoy exploring every medium of my favorite writers. SUBWAY DANCER is an excellent book for this exploration. The stories share many characteristics of Hyde's novels: first paragraphs that suck the reader in; straightforward language; and a beautiful, easy flow that makes it near impossible to put the book down.
My favorite story in the collection is "Bloodlines." I'm not exaggerating when I say this story makes me want to be a better person. I couldn't get the story out of my head for months, and still think of it from time to time. Many of Hyde' s books have this effect, and SUBWAY DANCER is no exception. Explore and enjoy!
My favorite story in the collection is "Bloodlines." I'm not exaggerating when I say this story makes me want to be a better person. I couldn't get the story out of my head for months, and still think of it from time to time. Many of Hyde' s books have this effect, and SUBWAY DANCER is no exception. Explore and enjoy!
July 28, 2013
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. Ordinary people at a transition point in their lives reacting to some outside force that changes the way they look at themselves and others and deciding how they will get on with their lives. The stories, while not always happy, for the most part end leaving the reader hopeful for a good outcome. A decision is made, a door closes, but another one opens, a realization that life goes on, so get on with it.
November 26, 2015
If you enjoy short stories, if you enjoy Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
The story titled "Subway Dancer", alone, is worth the cost of the book. Truly a masterfully woven tale. Chilling, yet beautifully written. The closest I have seen actual 'horror' - True Life horror - come from Catherine's pen.
I read this book well over a year ago and I can still remember it. That alone speaks volumes.
The story titled "Subway Dancer", alone, is worth the cost of the book. Truly a masterfully woven tale. Chilling, yet beautifully written. The closest I have seen actual 'horror' - True Life horror - come from Catherine's pen.
I read this book well over a year ago and I can still remember it. That alone speaks volumes.
August 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this collection of 15 very different short stories. Some were a bit dark and unusual, but all were very interesting. My pick of favorites: Blue Dog In The Crazy Truck, Hurricane Laura, Five Singing Gardeners And One Dead Stranger, Requiem For A Flamer and The Man Who Found You In The Woods.
November 16, 2013
Excellent collection of short stories! This is one of the first books I read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it was a perfect way to immerse myself in her writing - when I finished I went and bought a book. Slowly but surely I'm working my way through all of her books. If you like short stories, or just like Catherine Ryan Hyde, I recommend picking this up!
January 7, 2014
this is a book that has short stories. I read this on my basic kindle. the stories ranged in subject. some were better than others. I liked the ones that had animals in it the best. others were harder to get into. if you like books with a lot of stories in it you may find this book of interest to read.
June 23, 2013
Picked this up from a BookBub free book deal. Hyde is a gifted writer, adept at crafting characters with what I would call "real grit." They are very real amd believable stories that make you want more.
July 25, 2013
A collection of short stories based on realities and not fantasies. Happy endings are what you make if them.
April 18, 2014
Superb writing, as usual. If this doesn't inspire you to write a short story of your own, I don't know what will...
July 27, 2014
Poignant stories. Beautifully written. Catherine Ryan Hyde gets inside the heads of so many diverse characters with empathy, and sympathy, making them live and
March 23, 2015
Subway Dancer and Other Stories
Loved the mix of her short stories in brief.
I will continue to find her writing and enjoy them.
Great find.
Loved the mix of her short stories in brief.
I will continue to find her writing and enjoy them.
Great find.
Want to read
February 25, 2016kindle 227 (short stories)
Read
March 27, 2017interesting and compelling short stories. Two are the start of other books she has written but she tells u that in the intro.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews