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A review by sandygx260
Birds of America by Lorrie Moore
5.0
I must give these stories five stars for the beauty of Moore's writing. Sometimes her character's dialog is a little over the top, but I wish more people spoke in such a hilarious manner in real life. It would make the work day move along that much faster.
Most collections have stories that don't quite connect with a reader, and this is no different. The problem I had with a few stories is that Moore builds the structure, puts in the windows, the doors, paints the place, but never puts on the roof. I like a roof on my stories, a finish, an ending. The one story titled "Real Estate" is a terrific tale until the lack of a roof.
I did wander away from this collection to read a novel or two. That's the beauty of short stories— they forgive your wandering.
The last two stories in Birds of America: "People Like That are the Only People Here" and "Terrific Mother" not only have roofs, but they have ornate bronze balconies and leering gargoyles. They are stories which smack the reader's emotional tender spots. "Willing", "Dance in America" and "Charades" are also top notch tales.
Come for the utterly lovely language—stay for the roofs.
Most collections have stories that don't quite connect with a reader, and this is no different. The problem I had with a few stories is that Moore builds the structure, puts in the windows, the doors, paints the place, but never puts on the roof. I like a roof on my stories, a finish, an ending. The one story titled "Real Estate" is a terrific tale until the lack of a roof.
I did wander away from this collection to read a novel or two. That's the beauty of short stories— they forgive your wandering.
The last two stories in Birds of America: "People Like That are the Only People Here" and "Terrific Mother" not only have roofs, but they have ornate bronze balconies and leering gargoyles. They are stories which smack the reader's emotional tender spots. "Willing", "Dance in America" and "Charades" are also top notch tales.
Come for the utterly lovely language—stay for the roofs.