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davidabrams's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another solid entry into the annual series celebrating the best short fiction published in the past year. Standout selections in the 2009 edition include those by Joseph Epstein ("Beyond the Pale"), Greg Hrbek ("Sagittarius"), Yiyun Li ("A Man Like Him"), Kevin MOffett ("One Dog Year"), and Ron Rash ("Into the Gorge"). These stories took me places.
ris_stitches's review against another edition
3.0
There were many stories that I really loved, and make me want to go find other things by those writers; and then there are some duds. There's something for everyone though, and overall I enjoyed it more than not. Sagittarius (Greg Hrbek), Them Old Cowboy Songs (Annie Proulx), The Briefcase (Rebecca Makkai), The Anniversary Trip (Victoria Lancelotta), and Ostracon (Alex Rose) were among my favorites.
Now I'm thinking back and remembering that I liked a lot more of the stories than I am giving credit for...
Now I'm thinking back and remembering that I liked a lot more of the stories than I am giving credit for...
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
All the short stories collected in this volume are phenomenal. Not a clunker in the batch. Some, like Rebecca Makkai's "The Briefcase", Richard Powers's "Modulation", and Alex Rose's "Ostracon", are breathtaking.
Now I just have to decide which "Best American" volume to read next!
Now I just have to decide which "Best American" volume to read next!
lindsayharmon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. As usual, some amazing stories and some so-so.
cosmiccloudbird's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
lyndseyreader's review against another edition
3.0
This was perfect end-of-the-year reading. I could read a story, set down my book, and not worry about keeping up with plot or characters until the next time I picked it up again.
My favorite stories from this collection are Beyond the Pale by Joseph Epstein and The Briefcase by Rebecca Makkai.
My favorite stories from this collection are Beyond the Pale by Joseph Epstein and The Briefcase by Rebecca Makkai.
thebookgeek's review against another edition
4.0
We read the majority of the stories in this book for my graduate Theories and Methods of Literary Studies class. I greatly enjoyed all of them, and I'm not sure I could pick a favorite. Fantastic. It gives me hope for the future of literature.
yurwity's review against another edition
4.0
Alice Sebold likes her stories depressing as hell, lemme tell you. But, I think these stories have been called "the best" for a reason. I don't know if they really are the best thing ever written--certainly, stories from a fairly narrow secton of the literary world are considered--but they're definitely enjoyable.
mattisnotscary's review against another edition
3.0
Some of these stories, such as "Hurricanes Anonymous" and "The Shadow Table," will stick with me for a long time. Some I have already forgotten.