A review by serendipitysbooks
The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter by Katherine Anne Porter

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter (1966 winner) is hard to review because of the diversity of stories in both form (short story, long story, short novel and long novel, but never novella) and content and Porter's evolution as a writer. Many are at least semi-autobiographical, with the recurring character Miranda, a sort of alter ego for Porter. The variety of the stories in terms of plot, character, themes, and settings is a testament to the fascinating life she led. Porter's writing tends to be straightforward and direct and can feel slightly dated when judged by today's standards. There were some definite standout stories for me, including Pale Horse, Pale Rider, and The Jilting of Granny Weatherall. While I did have some trouble settling in to the collection, I suspect that had more to do with timing rather than the book. I may not have loved it, but I am glad to have read it. 
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