Night in Question by tobias wolff

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I absolutely loved this collection of short stories.

As I was reading, I couldn't help but constantly think about how many of them reminded me of other narratives that I have thoroughly enjoyed in the past.

For instance, "Smorgasbord" brought to my mind the works of Lorrie Moore. It had that same weird, unexplained quirkiness and a strong sense of femininity that is characteristic of Moore's writing.

"The Chain" on the other hand, recalled a script from the Coen brothers. It had that unique style and atmosphere that the Coen brothers are known for.

And "The Life of the Body" felt very much like a story by George Saunders. This last comparison perhaps isn't too surprising, considering that Wolff served as a mentor to Saunders.

Overall, this is really good stuff. In fact, I would say it's even better than the long-form memoir/fiction of his that I have read previously. It's a collection that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys great short stories.

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Beansman711

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

These stories boasted a straightforward and concise language that was refreshingly unadorned. They subverted expectations without relying on convoluted twists, instead opting for a close examination of small, seemingly insignificant moments that often led to profound epiphanies. The insights into human weakness were uncomfortable, yet all too recognizable, making us confront the less flattering aspects of ourselves.

Unfortunately, while I could admire the craftsmanship and the depth of these stories, I didn't find myself enjoying them as much as I perhaps should have. Thematically, there was a palpable fascination with the perspectives of youth and the far-reaching and often devastating repercussions of lies, whether they were inadvertent or intentional. The misunderstandings that were left uncorrected added an extra layer of complexity, as did the idea that silence itself could be a powerful pose.

The situations presented were believable and sufficiently compelling to draw us in and make us care about the characters. We eagerly awaited greater insights into their inner lives and motivations. However, the endings left much to be desired. They could be described as open-ended, but at times, one couldn't help but wonder what the point was. The final story, "Bullet in the Brain," hit particularly close to home. Like the protagonist, a jaded book critic who couldn't resist dissecting every utterance as a literary statement, I, too, as a translator and editor, often see the world as a text in need of improvement. But as the story so poignantly reminds us, life is not a stage or a set of galley proofs awaiting our expert correction. It is real, urgent, and finite, and we miss out on a great deal when we are too focused on how well or poorly others express themselves. We can even lose our lives in the process, ending up with a bullet in the brain.

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Houtski

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I'm not typically drawn to short story collections. However, after reading Wolff's This Boy's Life and In Pharoah's Army and hearing him speak at Notre Dame, I purchased The Night in Question approximately 20 years ago.

I'm truly glad that I finally took it off my shelf and delved into its pages. The stories within are bright and highly engaging. Wolff's writing style is direct, which makes it easy for the reader to follow along. His characterizations are precise and incredibly believable, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the lives of the characters.

I especially had a soft spot for "Flyboys" and "Two Boys and a Girl." These stories had a certain charm and depth that really appealed to me. And his final story, "Bullet in the Brain," is a rather bizarre homage to literary critics. It offers a unique perspective and a thought-provoking ending that lingers in the reader's mind long after the book is closed. Overall, I would highly recommend The Night in Question to anyone looking for a collection of well-written and engaging short stories.

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dispointmnt

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

All because of "Bullet in the Brain."

The first time I came across this story was during a Tobias Wolff reading, and those were truly shimmering minutes. It was especially the last half of the story that left a profound impression on me.

A few years later, I had the great fortune to witness the premiere of Word for Word's theatrical (and word-for-word) adaptation of the piece.

This story has been constantly on my mind. It serves as a reminder to me, again and again, to be fully present in the moment. To be awake and aware of everything around me, and to savor and enjoy each and every experience.

It makes me realize the importance of not taking life for granted and of truly engaging with the world we live in.

Whether it's a beautiful sunset, a meaningful conversation, or a simple act of kindness, we should strive to be there, fully immersed, and appreciate the beauty and wonder that life has to offer.

"Bullet in the Brain" has taught me that every moment counts and that we should make the most of them.

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StarSpew

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Hmm. I don't know. I really don't. These stories are all well-written. Wolff has poise, control, and restraint. His characters are efficiently and fully formed. The situations are both believable and resonant/touching. And he doesn't (for the most part) rely on style or unorthodox voice to drive his stories.

However, I think the problem I had most often with these stories was that he so often creates such a compelling context for the reader, invests us in the characters, makes us care, and then just completely leaves the story behind. So many questions are left unanswered, and the reader is basically left hanging for the sake of dramatic tension and a sometimes gorgeous/poetic concluding paragraph or sentence. (This isn't always the case, though. "Powder" ends with a total cliche that wrecked everything for me.)

That tactic of leaving things unresolved is pushed too far for me to accept. A successful story should resemble life in that not everything is nice and tidy and resolved by the end. But Wolff leaves too many of his stories with too many unanswered questions and unresolved tensions. It makes me wonder why he creates these situations if he's just going to leave them dangling.

Some of the tales are overtly moralizing, like "Chain," with its cliched and simplistic moral. "Lady's Dream" seems to rely on style more than story/character and seemed a bit anomalous.

Again, on a sentence level, the collection is excellent. Tonally, it reminded me of "Pigeon Feathers." The last two stories are the best, but "Firelight" still has that problem of leaving the reader hanging. It's hard to say anything bad about "Bullet in the Brain," though. It's a classic.

I'm still not convinced that Wolff is up my alley, despite his association with Carver and Ford. But I'll keep trying.

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JennaJayfeather

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was my very first encounter with the works of Tobias Wolff.

What struck me immediately was Wolff's remarkable ability to suddenly shift the course of a story without causing any disruption to its seamless flow.

It was truly a unique and captivating experience.

Reading through this collection, I had the distinct pleasure of knowing that each story would embark on a journey that would lead to an entirely unexpected destination.

The anticipation and surprise that came with each turn of the page were simply delightful.

Wolff's masterful storytelling kept me engaged from start to finish, and I found myself eagerly devouring each story, eager to see where it would take me.

His ability to create complex and relatable characters, and to编织 them into intricate and engaging plots, is truly a testament to his talent as a writer.

I look forward to exploring more of Wolff's works in the future and continuing to be amazed by his storytelling prowess.

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TristaManiac

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Wow. In my opinion, this is definitely a 6 or 7 star book or collection of short stories.

Do the characters stand out and leave a lasting impression? The answer is yes. Are the plot lines interesting and engaging? Absolutely. Is there an abundance of wisdom and insight? Indeed. Are there plenty of humorous moments that can even make you laugh out loud? Without a doubt. And perhaps most importantly, is there a moment that can give you the shivers? That's a resounding yes as well.

Take for example the excerpt from Sanity where the discussion about books on sexual technique takes an unexpected turn. The character Claire makes some thought-provoking points. She argues that people write about technique as if it's the be-all and end-all, but in reality, it's a joke. Publishers are the ones who really benefit from commodifying it. She goes on to say that it turns sex into a literary experience, which April finds quite amusing.

Then there's the excerpt from Lady's Dream where Robert reflects on how he got himself into a particular mess. He believes it's a subconscious rebellion against his father, falling in love with a girl like Lady. He makes the interesting point that love isn't something that just happens; it's a choice with reasons behind it.

Finally, the excerpt from Firelight offers a charming look at the pleasure of shopping. The narrator describes how his mother loved to shop, not because of the prices, but because she felt at home in stores and was interested in the merchandise. They looked at all sorts of things, from leather luggage to televisions and antiques. It was a time when they were broke, but they still managed to enjoy the experience of looking.

These are just a few examples of what makes this collection a worthwhile read. It combines good writing with engaging storytelling and provides valuable insights that will stay with you long after the stories are over.

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HanHen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

We can easily become jaded and overly critical, which leads to losing our patience with the world and, consequently, the joy that comes with it. For a writer, language has the potential to lose its novelty and spark, turning into something lifeless. This is where the power of a metaphorical bullet in the brain becomes crucial. It serves as a means to cut through the debris of cliches, banalities, and routines. By doing so, it clears a path to discover those precious words that can truly give meaning to our thoughts and lives. Only when we break free from the shackles of the ordinary and embrace the power of language in its purest form can we hope to recapture the magic and excitement that writing once held for us.

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Night in Question

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