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kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic collection of small fictions, and introduced me to many new flash authors I haven't heard of. I was also impressed with the range of journals represented here--it shows that there are, in fact, a good number of presses running excellent flash fiction (if you had any doubts).
The stories range from dark and creepy ("Milk Teeth" by A. Nicole Kelly; "Pitcher of Cream" by Caitlin Scarano) to the familial and domestic ("Healing Time" by Paul Beckman; "Reunion" by Megan Giddings; "The Toad" by Grant Faulkner) to the politically charged and pointed ("The Herald" by Eliel Lucero).
This collection is small--only 124 pages of fiction--but every story packs a punch. I didn't love every story, but even the ones that I wasn't enamored were objectively well-written and poignant stories. Good anthologies challenge you and your reading tastes, I think, and Best Small Fictions certainly does that.
I will definitely be checking out the 2015 volume, and eagerly await 2017.
The stories range from dark and creepy ("Milk Teeth" by A. Nicole Kelly; "Pitcher of Cream" by Caitlin Scarano) to the familial and domestic ("Healing Time" by Paul Beckman; "Reunion" by Megan Giddings; "The Toad" by Grant Faulkner) to the politically charged and pointed ("The Herald" by Eliel Lucero).
This collection is small--only 124 pages of fiction--but every story packs a punch. I didn't love every story, but even the ones that I wasn't enamored were objectively well-written and poignant stories. Good anthologies challenge you and your reading tastes, I think, and Best Small Fictions certainly does that.
I will definitely be checking out the 2015 volume, and eagerly await 2017.
laiinny's review
5.0
The word “small” often tends to denote something insignificant, something easily overlooked. The Best Small Fictions 2016, guest-edited by Stuart Dybek, completely obliterates that notion: there is nothing insignificant about these small stories. They boom and jump off the page, impossible to ignore.
Read full review at NewPages.
Read full review at NewPages.
pearseanderson's review
4.0
A lovely little introduction to a community I've always seen at the periphery. This was a great resource to see who's IN and who's doing great work. But, y'know, not always amazing pieces despite being the Best Small Fictions. Best: "The Thing Built to Fly is Not a Promise," "These are the Fables," "In the Ditch, Minnesota I-35," "World's Worst Clown," and "Black." Wow! Thanks for existing, flash writers. And mags for taking their work and keeping yourselves going.
sheldonleecompton's review
5.0
So I've written a full review of this which can be found at Enclave. Here's an excerpt and the link:
"The Best Small Fictions series is officially two for two – it can boast the most important book published last year with BSF 2015 and the most important book published this year with BSF 2016. And as it continues to establish itself alongside such renowned series as Best American Short Stories and The O. Henry Prize Stories, this significance will not wane."
http://enclave.entropymag.org/review-best-small-fictions-2016/
"The Best Small Fictions series is officially two for two – it can boast the most important book published last year with BSF 2015 and the most important book published this year with BSF 2016. And as it continues to establish itself alongside such renowned series as Best American Short Stories and The O. Henry Prize Stories, this significance will not wane."
http://enclave.entropymag.org/review-best-small-fictions-2016/
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