Manitoba Stories

by Joan Parr (Editor)

Transition
Mrs. S.
A Dark Horse On A Dark Night
The Doll House
The Education Of A Child
Jacob's Angel
Flowers For Weddings And Funerals
The Nocturnal Jogger
Flag Of Surrender
Sounding Brass
Appearances
Kicking Against The Pricks
The Jinx Of Herman Pinx
The Bridge

167 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please! · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Manitoba Stories”, edited by Joan Parr, was published in 1981 and surely became rare. Our province comprises vast textures of land and it is unbelievable that the world isn't enormously familiar with Manitoba generally. We have numerous claims to fame. Have you ever dialled a “911” emergency call? You’re welcome. The first exciting feature was just taking a break from the overabundance of English or American settings. Manitobans are excited to appear in books. For once, towns and streets were known to me. One story was so personally familiar, I knew the Paddlewheel restaurant of a department store I patronized, as a Christmastime tradition!

This suite yielded another pleasant surprise. When it comes to home literature, I support almost anything but for the first time since Maeve Binchy: I liked short stories! It is a least favourite genre, for being too short to engage me, or commonly vague and depressing in style. Most of these were enjoyable tableaux and what a variety of people and scenarios they presented. They reflect wonderfully, how colourful and eclectic we are. It included my first look at Sandra Birdsell, two of whose books I have owned for years. Hers is a famous Manitoba name and I am glad to see that I like her writing.

I learned that Max Goldin, who died in 1979, was a cherished local who mentored a lot of writers. It is unsurprising that his story was one of my favourites: wry humour about a Jewish, Winnipeg, retiree disputing city laws. Several Aboriginal communities were covered, the elderly, and a few tales too bizarre to describe. Four stars for short stories are high marks from me! For once, I didn't check how long each story was and push myself. I am proud to find that I enjoyed this local sampling.

[John Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For helping out at a book sale at our local library, I could pick out five books for free, and this is one I chose. I wasn't expecting that much but ended up being quite enamored with most of the stories in this old book (1981, though not as old as me). The stories were short (often 8-12 pages), fun to read, had interesting plot turns, and helped bring out the diversity of Manitoba's population (the province 3 hours to my north). This was a surprise find that I really enjoyed.

[Kryptonian Fletch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virtually all the short stories presented here are an absolute joy to read (and the few that are not, are at least good reads). Its a nice variety of writing styles and subjects. Many of the authors have so impressed me that I have added novels/books they have subsequent written to my 'want to read' list and even bought a few already.

[Shanna Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as much as I could. Found that it became depressing and could not finish.