Short Stories

How "Slaughterhouse Five" was born
Kurt Vonnegut's new posthumous collection reveals the seeds of a modern masterpiece.
The raw stories
Eschewing the cold perfection of the literary short story, Connie Willis gushes screwball comedies, clever farces and sharp satires on a par with those of George Saunders.
"Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman"
The surrealist stunners in Haruki Murakami's new story collection take you to the creepy, sublime places that no author does better.
"The Unfinished Novel and Other Stories"
Painters, poets, writers and actors tortured by the weight of talent inhabit Valerie Martin's biting new collection.
The world as we know it
Deborah Eisenberg's wondrous "Twilight of the Superheroes" offers an intimate, glowing portrait of post-9/11 America.
The greatest Christmas story of all
Forget Scrooge and Tiny Tim -- James Joyce's "The Dead," with its distinctively Irish blend of music and tragedy, is the ultimate yuletide tale. And why isn't John Huston's marvelous film version available on DVD?
"The Anchor Book of New American Short Stories" edited by Ben Marcus
An ambitious new anthology crammed with today's big names (Gaitskill, Saunders, Wallace) proves that even in a postmodern age, good storytelling fulfills a primal need.
Eating latkes in Toronto
David Bezmozgis' extraordinary stories about life as an Eastern European immigrant in Canada deserve the praise lavished on them this summer. And I ought to know.
The horror, the horror
David Foster Wallace delves into the heart of human darkness in his chilling new story collection.
Mates: A literary history
Matching sock, erotic target or fellow damned soul chained to your wrist? From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Kundera, a guided tour of the Big Two.
Freedom from choice
From short stories to sports and science writing, "Best of" anthologies prove that readers like their books preselected.
"The Law of Averages" by Frederick Barthelme
The confessed minimalist's new book proves that the much-reviled genre can still break your heart.
"The Angel on the Roof" by Russell Banks
In stories from nearly four decades, the writer demonstrates an astonishing range, a wonderful eye and a finely tuned talent for breaking hearts.
"The Toughest Indian in the World" by Sherman Alexie
A new collection of tough, angry, dirty, funny, superbly accomplished stories by the Native American writer.
The pissed-off muse
She dreamed of being immortalized in literature -- until he showed her his manuscript.
A baffling man
Although David Foster Wallace doesn't act the way an author should, his brilliant new book is filled with desperation, loneliness and addiction.
The many voices of Ken Kalfus
Laura Miller reviews Ken Kalfus's short story collection, 'Thirst'.
The Salon Interview - Ken Kalfus
For 44-year-old Ken Kalfus, who has just published his first book, "Thirst," success was worth waiting for.
Just and Ordinary Day
Stephanie Zacharek reviews Shirley Jackson's collection of short stories, "Just and Ordinary Day".
Short Stories of Langston Hughes
Maud Casey reviews the book "Short Stories of Langston Hughes".

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