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anpu325's review against another edition
4.0
I loved these short stories, they contain almost the essence of humanity distilled into each story. The characters seem so real, so alive. And you feel almost as if you've grown up a little after you read each one. They don't exactly always have "happy" endings, but they are still satisfying endings.
smalefowles's review against another edition
3.0
After the first few stories in this book, I was overwhelmed by that Iowa Writers Workshop feeling, and had to set it aside. It was very clear that the author was a young man who believed he knew what being an old man was like. And that he went to the Iowa Writers Workshop.
The later stories won me back, though it was all sort of ruined when I read the author bio at the end. If there's any educational institution more irritating than the IWW, it's got to be Harvard School of Medicine, right?
The later stories won me back, though it was all sort of ruined when I read the author bio at the end. If there's any educational institution more irritating than the IWW, it's got to be Harvard School of Medicine, right?
tonybz's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
evecampbell's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry, I really hate giving books bad reviews but I just hated this. The worst part was that the writing is lovely in some places (hence the two stars), but just so dull. I had real trouble distinguishing the voices of each story because they just sound like the same person, and no matter the setting or the subject matter, they all blended into one in a kind of American male existentialism soup. I don’t know, maybe I’m just thoroughly not the target audience, but this book genuinely depressed me. The only story I kind of enjoyed was Star Food, and I haven’t got a clue why.
courtnomial's review against another edition
4.0
I really really like Canin’s writing style!!! This short story collection has a few duds, but it also has some entries I absolutely love. My favorite story is the last one, Star Food, so I think it ended on a good note. :) There are some really intriguing one-liners scattered throughout the book that really made me think… about death, loneliness, family… i laid on the floor for about an hour just thinking about my feelings… I want to come back to some of these stories later!
olevia's review
5.0
This is a re-read for me, though I somehow - and unaccountably - had no memories of reading them. Old age, amnesia? Whatever the cause, these are near-perfect stories.
arnie's review against another edition
4.0
Really 4.5. This first collection of stories is a fine. The title story, of a man who wants to save his huge, dying elm tree from the saw of his neighbor is a favorite, as is "Pitch Memory," about a mother who steals.
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