From Publishers Weekly
In his deliciously kooky foreword, Eggers (You Shall Know Our Velocity) describes this excellent literary compilation as a gathering of "good writing from contemporary writers," but it's much more than that. The 25 pieces, previously published in glossies (the New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Harper's) and smaller outlets (Tin House, Alaska Quarterly Review, Nerve.com) were selected by San Francisco high schoolers, and all are worthy of the reprint they get here. The eclectic assemblage of fiction, nonfiction, humor and comics alternates between serious articles, such as Mark Bowden's elaborate, exhaustive examination of Saddam Hussein ("Tales of the Tyrant"), and the comic brilliance of illustrator Lynda Barry, the charmingly goofy sentimentality of David Sedaris and the flippancy of the Onion's "I'll Try Anything with a Detached Air of Superiority." Last year's collection was aimed at young adults, and several selections here address themes of peer pressure and children's cruelty: Ryan Boudinot's Halloween-themed "The Littlest Hitler," David Drury's story of suburban misfits in "Things We Knew When the House Caught Fire" and Judy Budnitz's disturbing family tale "Visiting Hours." The street-smart spunk of J.T. Leroy's "Stuff" and K. Kvashay-Boyle's "Saint Chola" combine with Daniel Voll's unflinching view of life in South Central Los Angeles to give the collection a dash of grit. Readers of all ages should be delighted with this literary smorgasbord. Eggers deserves credit for another first-rate collection.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à l'édition Relié .
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à l'édition Relié .
From AudioFile
This collection of short stories ranges from the humorous ("How to Write a Suspense Novel" by James Pinkerton) to the serious ("Stuff" by J.T. Leroy) to the oddball ("The Pretenders" by Chuck Klosterman). Many stories address issues and themes ideal for discussion, including racism, homelessness, addiction, and suburban foibles. Nearly all the stories are read by their creators. Actress Tatum O'Neal, however, gives an even, moving performance of the drug-addled heroine in "Stuff." The variety of both story and reader may be distracting to the novice listener but, taken as a whole, this is a solid production. J.M.S. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
