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The Collected Stories of Carol Wobig
Carol Wobig writes with unfailing sensitivity and empathy and in language that rings clear and true. In these seventeen stories and monologues, Wobig introduces us to grieving widows and questioning nuns, daughters intent on saving their mothers and mothers unsure how to save their children, each of whom faces the question we all must ultimately ask: how to save ourselves. Her characters and their experiences will live in the minds and hearts of readers long after the last page is turned.
212 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 25, 2018
This is the best writing I have run across in decades. It is spare, no nonsense, like the people in her stories. Hardscrabble rural folks, and plain spoken city folks populate these tales. People who keep on keeping on because it is all they know how to do. If you are a Midwesterner you will recognize some of them. A neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, someone will speak to you from these pages. She has been compared to Raymond Carver. I think Wobig likes the characters she creates more than Carver liked his. I find him to be cold. He has given up on his people, Wobig seems hopeful her people will be okay. We hope so, too.
July 29, 2022
46: The Collected Stories by Carol Wobig
In this particular case the story of how I came to obtain this particular book is nearly as good of a story—at least in its divinity: and that of finding an author from whom I have learned much and with whom my own writing ideas so well resonate—as Carol Wobig’s stories are.
Shall I just tell that—write it—here?
Earlier this summer I had the joyous pleasure of spending several days at some friends’ new-to-them cottage and due to a series of circumstances (new puppy included), I was by myself for much of the time.
I learned the lay of the land over the course of those days, each day building a new routine based on what I’d learned the day before. The very easiest start to every day was getting up at oh’dark:30 to appreciate and enjoy the sunrise out on my gifted slice of heavenly space, this peaceful place on the water.
From there I learned things about the broader area, walking at first just within the little community—a space so quiet and slow that I actually read while walking—something I’d never ever do at home, even, for how distracted drivers are. But there that is how comfortable I was. I read while walking.
And then I learned from the neighbors (whom I very much enjoyed meeting and who had observed my reading while walking) of a 3-mile route they use regularly for walks and runs. So when my friend visited, she and I took that route.
When her visit ended, I then took the same route solo the next day…but of course experienced that same path differently when alone, and so stopped at the Free Little Library to give a longer linger and look at the books inside.
Seeing most to be by authors I know of but don’t myself read (sorry, commercial fiction) and others I’ve already read and/or own, I zoomed in on one slim volume in particular because its author shares an unusual last name with my elementary school teacher (and FB friend😊).
The inside back jacket read “Inspired by the stories of Alice Munro [oooooh! Me, too!], Carol Wobig [that just autocorrected to Wobegon…which is also telling] started writing when she retired from making sauce in a pizza factory.” Seriously??! Good for you, Carol! I thought aloud.
And then I opened the front to see when this book was published…found that to be 2017 AND that this is a signed copy of Wobig’s book. And it was my birthday…so I considered this a gift granted, right there, for me.
And ever since I’ve been waiting for its turn in my reading stack, which came up this week, and I’m so glad that it did. Wobig’s writing reminds me not only of Munro’s but also of another personal favorite: Elizabeth Strout. Wobig also presents the natives of this unnamed Wisconsin community…and surrounding areas (her settings are not always specific, quite general, in fact). But as in Strout’s “series,” many of these stories’ characters are consistent, weaving through different, separate stories, and further facets added to their selves and situations as they interact with, bounce off of others.
I am so very pleased to have read this collection and EXACTLY when I did. I’ll happily share my recently acquired and signed copy whenever you’d like to borrow it. In the meanwhile I’ll be checking to see if perhaps Ms. Wobig and I could meet for tea…or maybe a g&t(?!)…to visit about writing. That’d be pretty cool.
In this particular case the story of how I came to obtain this particular book is nearly as good of a story—at least in its divinity: and that of finding an author from whom I have learned much and with whom my own writing ideas so well resonate—as Carol Wobig’s stories are.
Shall I just tell that—write it—here?
Earlier this summer I had the joyous pleasure of spending several days at some friends’ new-to-them cottage and due to a series of circumstances (new puppy included), I was by myself for much of the time.
I learned the lay of the land over the course of those days, each day building a new routine based on what I’d learned the day before. The very easiest start to every day was getting up at oh’dark:30 to appreciate and enjoy the sunrise out on my gifted slice of heavenly space, this peaceful place on the water.
From there I learned things about the broader area, walking at first just within the little community—a space so quiet and slow that I actually read while walking—something I’d never ever do at home, even, for how distracted drivers are. But there that is how comfortable I was. I read while walking.
And then I learned from the neighbors (whom I very much enjoyed meeting and who had observed my reading while walking) of a 3-mile route they use regularly for walks and runs. So when my friend visited, she and I took that route.
When her visit ended, I then took the same route solo the next day…but of course experienced that same path differently when alone, and so stopped at the Free Little Library to give a longer linger and look at the books inside.
Seeing most to be by authors I know of but don’t myself read (sorry, commercial fiction) and others I’ve already read and/or own, I zoomed in on one slim volume in particular because its author shares an unusual last name with my elementary school teacher (and FB friend😊).
The inside back jacket read “Inspired by the stories of Alice Munro [oooooh! Me, too!], Carol Wobig [that just autocorrected to Wobegon…which is also telling] started writing when she retired from making sauce in a pizza factory.” Seriously??! Good for you, Carol! I thought aloud.
And then I opened the front to see when this book was published…found that to be 2017 AND that this is a signed copy of Wobig’s book. And it was my birthday…so I considered this a gift granted, right there, for me.
And ever since I’ve been waiting for its turn in my reading stack, which came up this week, and I’m so glad that it did. Wobig’s writing reminds me not only of Munro’s but also of another personal favorite: Elizabeth Strout. Wobig also presents the natives of this unnamed Wisconsin community…and surrounding areas (her settings are not always specific, quite general, in fact). But as in Strout’s “series,” many of these stories’ characters are consistent, weaving through different, separate stories, and further facets added to their selves and situations as they interact with, bounce off of others.
I am so very pleased to have read this collection and EXACTLY when I did. I’ll happily share my recently acquired and signed copy whenever you’d like to borrow it. In the meanwhile I’ll be checking to see if perhaps Ms. Wobig and I could meet for tea…or maybe a g&t(?!)…to visit about writing. That’d be pretty cool.
December 18, 2018
I read every one of the short stories in this book. They were somehow instantly compelling. I was able to relate to the women in these stories, even though several of them were about nuns, some of the women had reached a point in life when something had to change. I had previously read Poached is not an Option. Somehow all the stories melded together nicely in this collection. I loved seeing the authors photo at the end of it all. She has a great face.
December 17, 2017
The people in Carol Wobig's stories will be familiar to you. You'll hear their voices. See them. You'll sit for a while in their homes. Wobig can grab her readers with a phrase like, "She hugged Julie, a long one," and in a heartbeat, you feel as though you know these people. Funny, heartbreaking, uncomplicated, and sometimes oddly comforting. I can't stop reading.
January 6, 2018
Concise fiction about older women in small towns, often facing or emerging from a big change. I found the nun and ex-nun stories particularly fascinating, because it's rare to encounter fiction about characters like them.
February 7, 2018
I won't soon forget the characters in Wobig's stories, their complicated, sweet lives. Stories sprinkled with dry humor, conflict, and love. Wobig trusts us with their tender stories.
August 22, 2018
Exquisite writing about real people dealing with everything life hands them the best way they can. Highly recommend this book!
July 16, 2025
Mom - you would enjoy this, too :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews