prescottarot's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
got me writing again. This is a big book but I wish there was more of it
got me writing again. This is a big book but I wish there was more of it
clellman's review against another edition
Lydia Davis was born in Northampton, and the story "Get Well Soon" was uproariously funny, and it referenced a "Hospital Hill" for sledding. Some of these were very interesting, like "What's the point of this?" but not in a stupid way. Reminded me of Flights, by Olga Tokarczuk.
itsgg's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully-written, minimalist short stories about relationships in the style of Raymond Carver.
simtara's review against another edition
2.0
Her style of writing in this collection is not for me. I like my stories to have a clearly identifiable plot and a protagonist I can relate to, neither of which were accomplished in a majority of the stories in this anthology.
In regards to Ms. Davis, it's an insightful piece. The biggest lesson from reading this collection was that her writing style wasn't for me as either consumer or producer.
In regards to Ms. Davis, it's an insightful piece. The biggest lesson from reading this collection was that her writing style wasn't for me as either consumer or producer.
frankie_s's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much. Now I have to read everything by Lydia Davis. I skipped some of the longer stories by this book is 700+ pages so I am okay with that.
scf2ke's review against another edition
3.0
I was entertained by many of Davis’ stories—the shorter ones were far better than the long stories in my opinion...
emjasmine's review against another edition
Will come back to and dip in and out, love the stories
syencefyction's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of good stuff in here. There are some stories I am too stupid for
darblar's review against another edition
5.0
From the very start, Lydia Davis challenges the very definition of a short story. There's little in the way of exposition, named characters, setting, and perhaps even plot when it comes to her style, and her often brief pieces seem - at times - more like observations cleverly disguised as fiction. What she leaves the reader with, however, is something far more profound. Davis strips the story of its bells and whistles and allows language and meaning to take over. The result produces brief snippets of insight into the human condition, from being a daughter to being a lover to being a loner and so on. Her stories are unexpected and utterly engrossing, pieces that challenge the traditional notion of "short story" by turning the form on its head.