The Stars Above Vera Cruz

by Barry Gifford

A high-wire artist named Ropedancer is our guide to Gifford’s world in The Stars Above Veracruz. His tale opens and closes this book of linked short fictions that take place in Honduras, France, Cuba, Paris, New York, New Zealand, Mexico, and other locales. Gifford’s lyrical stories are often confessional, involving crimes large and small and narrators who, win or lose in their battles, never emerge unscathed. There is little triumphing here; victory lies in the completion of the journey, the survival of the high-wire artist who, step by step, follows his lifeline with utter concentration.
At once tragic and humorous, full of pathos, and reminiscent of Thornton Wilder’s humanist classic The Bridge of San Luis Rey, The Stars Above Veracruz is Gifford’s most significant work since Wild at Heart.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Barry Gifford is an American author, poet, and screenwriter known for his distinctive mix of American landscapes and film noir- and Beat Generation-influenced literary madness.

He is described by Patrick Beach as being "like if John Updike had an evil twin that grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and wrote funny..."He is best known for his series of novels about Sailor and Lula, two sex-driven, star-crossed protagonists on the road. The first of the series, Wild at Heart, was adapted by director David Lynch for the 1990 film of the same title. Gifford went on to write the screenplay for Lost Highway with Lynch. Much of Gifford's work is nonfiction.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm thinking about other writers to compare, a less-sexy (as in less sex), more hard boiled william boyd, roberto bollano; gifford is readable like some newspapers in some ways: information that you want.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of short stories with each story separated by a poem. Very interesting both in the stories told and the format. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good little short story collection. Stories somewhat plot-driven but very reader-friendly.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing...

[Stephen Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC!

[Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

a worldwide network of love gone wrong,love never even getting started, love dying. fun and connected sad stories. connected both by theme and geography .

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed these stories. Interesting tales set in locales across the globe.