Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, Issue 1-3

by Dave Eggers (Editor)

Dave Eggers launched Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern in 1998 as an outlet for writings by himself and his friends, such as David Foster Wallace, who had been rejected by other, established journals. Eggers’ irreverent approach included a pioneering design that incorporated chapbooks, drawings, and all manner of cultural confetti previously unseen in the lit-mag format. McSweeney’s became an instant hit, showcasing the work of major new voices as well as literary luminaries such as William T. Vollman and Joyce Carol Oates. Long out of print and available only in the pricey collectors’ market, the first three issues appear in this omnibus, reproduced precisely as they first appeared. Longtime fans can revisit some of the best of the early McSweeney’s, while those new to the journal will see what all the fuss was about. A bracing range of topics include John Hodgman writing on the topic of cavemen, Jon Langford on Lester Bangs, Gary Greenberg on the Unabomber, and much more.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

500 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Nate D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full nine months after embarking on this collection, during which I read several other newer McSweeney's issues, I am finished. I think McSweeney's was rather more esoterica-packed in its early days, and used dramatically smaller print to fit in a great deal of material. But it was thoroughly enjoyable. Highlights over the three issues include the David Foster Wallace story included in the first, the report on Marfa, Texas included in the second, and the inexplicable charts/figures/organization schemes employed throughout. Excellent.

[angrykitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

having already read the best of mcsweeneys 1 before i read these books put me at a bit of a disadvantage. though i enjoy the mcsweeneys stories in general, they can really be hit or miss, and since i'd already read those deemed to be the best, i was left with a lot of not the best. still there were some really interesting stories that weren't in the best collection, but overall, not enough for me to give these more than 3 stars.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with issue #4, which was the first one I discovered, these early McSweeney's were a revelatory reading experience for me. At the time, I remember thinking: I've finally found a magazine that speaks directly to me! Before that, it was like literary journals were afraid to mix the weird, funny, and experimental together. Absolutely inspiring and influential.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

boy it's tough to decide which list to put this in. I don't see how anyone would have the patience to read straight through a McSweeny's. It's the kind of thing you flip through while you wait (at the doctor's, for a bus, on the toilet) and don't feel bad about skipping to the end or smirking at how pretentious writers can be sometimes...

[craige · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend gave these to me years ago, like when they first came out, and they have sat on my bookshelf ever since. I tried to read the first volume recently and I just couldn't get into it. It is me? It's probably me.

[KidPolaroid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay McSweeney's!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't really get into the tongue-in-cheek humor, and attempts at cleverness in these stories. Call me emo, but I'd rather read something the author was invested in.

[Eleanor Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the quarterly concerns, but it is their first one.