mary412's review against another edition
4.0
Why did I not know that Edith Pearlman was a fabulous writer? I'm sorry to have missed the book group discussion. At the end of the year Binocular Vision tied for best pick of 2013. The other book was Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
Edith Pearlman's finely crafted stories are rich in detail, filled with characters that saunter off the page. It's been a while since I've felt inspired to share what I'm reading. In an industry filled with male voices and a masculine gaze, I treasure the rare, strong woman who writes about life with a mature perspective.
kiramke's review against another edition
3.0
First, the writing is quite good and I did enjoy the book.
That being said, this is a very long, dense collection of short stories, many of which are contemplative and intense. I read short stories like poetry, stopping at least for a moment after each one to process. I feel like I've been reading this book for years, and that near-weariness is not a good feeling, especially as an introduction to a new writer. I would have preferred a more winnowed selection.
That being said, this is a very long, dense collection of short stories, many of which are contemplative and intense. I read short stories like poetry, stopping at least for a moment after each one to process. I feel like I've been reading this book for years, and that near-weariness is not a good feeling, especially as an introduction to a new writer. I would have preferred a more winnowed selection.
emilybh's review against another edition
4.0
I've enjoyed dipping in and out of this collection over roughly a year and a half. Pearlman is a gentle and kind writer who imagines characters at all stages of life. The story that gives this collection its title was my favourite, but all of them - though linked by different threads - are individually intriguing.
dewey_the_composer's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely beautiful writing with very specific situations. I sometimes felt I couldn't fully relate to a story, but they were so well told that, when I thought a story was just relaxing an eventless life (before the action happened) I was still enthralled.
rdoose's review against another edition
4.0
This collection is split into two section: "selected stories" and "new stories." I really loved the first section; the stories were quiet, but powerful and satisfying. I didn't connect as much with the second section, but I enjoyed the themes of independence/individuality/autonomy that ran through all of her stories. If you're going to read any one story by Pearlman, I would recommend "Tess."
Favorites: "Settlers," "Allog," "Tess," "Jan Term"
Favorites: "Settlers," "Allog," "Tess," "Jan Term"
valhecka's review against another edition
For a fiction writing class - there are five or six stories I haven't gotten to yet, but I love what I've seen so far. You can really dig down and settle in with Edith Pearlman; her stories are deep, comfortable, and subtly unsettling just enough to make your brain fizzle. She's gooooooood.
bjr2022's review against another edition
5.0
In today's Lithub there is an article (excerpted from a book) on the phenomenon of women reading male and female writers, but men reading largely only male writers. Mary Ann Sieghart writes, "The Irish novelist John Boyne remembers attending a literary festival where three established male novelists were referred to in the program as 'giants of world literature,' while a panel of female writers of equal stature were described as 'wonderful storytellers.'"
Ann Patchett writes in the introduction to this massive short story collection:
Perhaps the first paragraph of this review answers the question of the second.
Two stories into my reading, I leapt to the computer and ordered a copy of this book. No way can I read this in the span of a library loan. It will take me months, as one story is a full meal—remarkably as full-bodied as a good novel. (I may add to this review once I finish.)
When my copy arrives, I will pick up reading wherever I am, return the library edition, and when I'm done, my book will be shelved with The Stories of John Cheever, which required the identical slow reading.
There is no sane reason for Edith Pearlman's talent to be a surprise to any reading person.
P.S. And thank you, Paul Secor, a smart male reader, for letting me know about this book. I echo his comments of gratitude for my GR friends.
Ann Patchett writes in the introduction to this massive short story collection:
To that great list of human mysteries which includes the construction of the pyramids and the persistent use of Styrofoam as a packing material let me add this one: why isn't Edith Pearlman famous?She considers Pearlman one of the literary giants.
Perhaps the first paragraph of this review answers the question of the second.
Two stories into my reading, I leapt to the computer and ordered a copy of this book. No way can I read this in the span of a library loan. It will take me months, as one story is a full meal—remarkably as full-bodied as a good novel. (I may add to this review once I finish.)
When my copy arrives, I will pick up reading wherever I am, return the library edition, and when I'm done, my book will be shelved with The Stories of John Cheever, which required the identical slow reading.
There is no sane reason for Edith Pearlman's talent to be a surprise to any reading person.
P.S. And thank you, Paul Secor, a smart male reader, for letting me know about this book. I echo his comments of gratitude for my GR friends.