In a collection titled The Night in Question, the overall quality of the works within is quite good. However, it is rather unfortunate that this collection doesn't manage to come up on Good Reads.

Good Reads is a popular platform where readers gather to discover, rate, and discuss books. It has a wide reach and a large community of book enthusiasts. For a collection to not be featured on such a platform means that it may be missing out on potential exposure and a wider readership.

The reasons for its absence on Good Reads could be various. It might be due to a lack of proper marketing or promotion by the publisher or author. Maybe the collection didn't meet the specific criteria or algorithms that Good Reads uses to determine which books to showcase.

Nonetheless, just because it doesn't appear on Good Reads doesn't mean that the collection isn't worth reading. There could be hidden gems within it that deserve to be discovered. Readers who are interested in exploring different literary works might still come across this collection through other means, such as word-of-mouth recommendations, independent bookstores, or online literary forums.

It is important to note that while Good Reads can be a useful tool for finding new books, it is not the only source of literary discovery. There are many great books out there that may not have gained mainstream attention but are still worthy of our time and appreciation. So, don't let the absence of a book on Good Reads deter you from giving it a chance. You might just be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Simplistic yet powerful shorts about wanting to believe we are better people than we are offer a unique perspective. These shorts have the ability to touch our hearts and make us reflect on our own lives. They present stories that are both relatable and thought-provoking.

Among these shorts, there are some standouts. "The Other Miller" is a captivating tale that explores themes of identity and self-discovery. It takes us on a journey through the eyes of a character who is searching for something more in life.

"Lady's Dream" is another remarkable short that delves into the realm of dreams and aspirations. It shows us how our dreams can sometimes be a source of inspiration and motivation, driving us to become better versions of ourselves.

Finally, "Firelight" is a powerful short that uses the metaphor of fire to represent passion and transformation. It reminds us that sometimes, we need to embrace the fire within us in order to grow and evolve.

Overall, these simplistic yet powerful shorts about wanting to believe we are better people than we are offer a rich and rewarding viewing experience. They have the potential to inspire us, make us think, and ultimately, help us become better people.

Dirty Realism focuses on ordinary people residing on the margins of society, communicating in ordinary language. It brings to mind Bruce Springsteen's music. My initial encounter with it was through Raymond Carver, whom I found dull and overly opaque. Wolff, a protégé of Carver, rejects the term being applied to him, yet it seems to fit. He is far more interesting than Carver and reveals just enough for the reader to grasp his point. His stories are "sneaky awesome." You reach the ambiguous ending and initially think, "What?? What's the point here?" But, unlike Joyce and Carver, the story is so captivating that you take the time to ponder it - it lodges in your mind and demands interpretation. And then, hours later, often while driving or in the shower, it dawns on you! Once the point becomes clear, you realize that every word in that story led to that moment. Everything falls into place, and you appreciate Wolff once again.

This collection is remarkable. Wolff has everything going for him as a short story writer. He has a strong voice, efficient plot and characterization, symbolism, something interesting to say, and memorable endings. Most importantly, you find yourself thinking about the story long after you finish and come to new understandings about it.
My favorites include "Bullet in the Brain," where a book reviewer is so critical that he laughs at a bank robber's trite expressions, resulting in a bullet in his brain. As the bullet travels, it sparks memories and answers the question of what made him this way. Turns out, a childhood memory of hearing a different expression is what he has sought his whole life. "Mortals" is written from the perspective of a fired newspaper reporter who wrote an obituary for a man who turns out to be alive. The man in the obituary called it in, hoping people would appreciate who he was. "Casualty" explores the complex emotions of a soldier in Vietnam who considers taking action to protect his buddy but then feels relief when his friend is killed. The story questions who the real casualty is. "The Life of the Body" shows a teacher living a contradictory life, unable to tell the truth about why he showed up to class beaten up. "The other Miller" has a man who doesn't want to know the future but realizes it is his actions that have led to his current situation. "Powder" skillfully reveals an estranged relationship between a father, son, and mother in just four pages. "The Chain" shows how an act of revenge sets off a chain of events with unintended consequences. "Two boys, one girl" explores the theme of principle and desire, with a teen making a moral choice in the end. Overall, Wolff's stories are thought-provoking and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

3 stars

This is a book of short stories.

Some of them were truly excellent, captivating the reader's attention from start to finish.

However, there were also some that left you scratching your head, wondering what on earth you had just read.

And then there were others that simply made no sense at all.

Out of the 15 stories, my favorite was the very last one.

It tells the tale of a man who is impatiently waiting in line at the bank when he realizes that the bank is being robbed.

Despite being told to stay silent, he cannot do so.

He ends up in a one-on-one confrontation with one of the robbers.

Even when faced with a bullet to his head, he still refuses to comply.

The rest of the story vividly describes exactly what he is thinking prior to his death.

Did his life flash before his eyes? It's a strange little story that really makes you think.

I'm not sure if I have ever read Tobias Wolff before.

Since I'm not a huge fan of short stories, I will reserve my judgment until I have read a full-length novel by him.

Maybe then I'll be able to form a more comprehensive opinion of his writing.

I initially came across Tobias Wolff as a consequence of my interest in Carver and Cheever. I must admit that I am extremely glad that I did. It is evident that Wolff has truly mastered the short story form. He writes about the minor conflicts of daily life with a perceptive eye, a sharp wit, and a palpable sensitivity. Unlike Carver, he isn't submerged in alcohol and perpetual anguish (and this is by no means a criticism of Carver, whom I adore). The stories in his collection span a wide range, from the heartaches of unrequited love during one's teenage years to class struggles and even a man biting a dog's ear to rescue his child. These stories capture and analyze significant moments in people's lives. They are highly recommended.

Just recently, I completed this book and was truly impressed. The last story, "Bullet in the Brain," is a tour de force in just four pages. It讲述了 about a bank robbery and a customer who simply can't hold his tongue. I won't disclose any more details except to urge you to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

The plot of this short story unfolds in such a way. There is a man who happens to be in a bank when it is robbed at gunpoint. However, he is so extremely jaded that he finds it extremely difficult to take the situation seriously.

If I were ever to be in a bank that experiences a robbery at gunpoint, I truly hope and pray that I will not be standing next to anyone even remotely like this character. He is, without a doubt, among the most annoying characters I have ever come across. Nevertheless, I do have a certain fondness for the story. I think it is rather good. It manages to offer the reader a story that is far more profound and engaging than one might expect given its relatively short word count. The main character wasn't always the person he has become by the time he ends up in that particular situation. Instead, we are given a tantalizing glimpse into who he was before, into his past, which adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, despite the annoyance caused by the character, the story has its own charm and appeal.

This is my all-time favorite piece of writing.

If the biggest challenge of the short story medium is to tell a great story in the most efficient way, where every single word is necessary and meaningful, "Bullet in the Brain" epitomizes what a short story can and should be.

Tobias Wolff's writing is beautiful, eloquent, expressive but succinct. His words seem to dance on the page, painting a vivid picture with every stroke.

The story is short enough that I won't try to summarize it - just read it. It's a masterpiece that will leave you breathless.

I've read it hundreds of times and it gives me chills every single time. The way Wolff builds the tension, the way he reveals the characters' inner thoughts and emotions, it's all just perfect.

"Bullet in the Brain" is a must-read for anyone who loves short stories or great writing in general. It's a shining example of what can be achieved with just a few carefully chosen words.

These stories, unfortunately, failed to make a lasting impression on me.

Among them, there were a couple that seemed to stand out from the rest, like "The Other Miller" or "The Night in Question".

However, even from these, I had higher expectations.

The writing style felt rather unnatural and overly polished, lacking the authenticity and rawness that I usually look for in a good story.

I found myself quite disappointed by this book.

It had the potential to be great, with interesting plotlines and characters, but it just didn't quite deliver.

Perhaps with a different approach to the writing, or a bit more attention to detail, it could have been a much better read.

As it stands, it's just another book that I'll quickly forget.

Rewriting of stories, none new. This statement implies that the focus is on revising or reinterpreting existing tales rather than creating entirely new ones. There could be several reasons for this. Perhaps the original stories hold a certain charm or significance that the author wants to bring out in a different way. It might also be a way to introduce the classic tales to a new generation or to explore different aspects of the familiar narratives. By reediting the cuentos, the author can add their own perspective, update the language, or change the pacing to make the stories more engaging. However, it's important to note that while the stories may not be new, the reedición can still offer a fresh and unique experience for the readers. It allows them to see the familiar in a new light and perhaps discover something they hadn't noticed before.

Reading these stories felt mostly like this: chop, chop, chop, stomach knot, chop, chop, slam.

"The Chain" was initially my favorite. The story had a certain allure that kept me engaged from the beginning. The pacing was good, with a series of events that built up tension and anticipation.

However, all of that changed with the over the top, hit you on the head, annoyingly obtuse last paragraph. It was as if the author suddenly decided to take a completely different direction and ruined what had been a promising story up until that point.

The ending felt forced and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the narrative. It left me feeling disappointed and frustrated. I had expected something more thoughtful and satisfying.

Overall, while "The Chain" had its moments, the final paragraph really detracted from the overall experience. It serves as a reminder that a good story requires a strong ending to tie everything together and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

It took me quite a while to work my way through these stories.

And I'm truly glad to have completed them, yet in the most favorable sense. Wolff's writing has a brutally powerful touch.

As you read each story, it seems to coil up within you, only to be forcefully extracted once it reaches its conclusion.

I developed the habit of reading a few stories before going to sleep, and I firmly believe that this is the optimal way to approach them.

In this manner, each story can truly penetrate deep into your bones.

The man is undoubtedly a genius. However, I'm not entirely certain if I'll actively seek out his work again.

After all, there are only so many hard-hitting truths that I can endure.

Nevertheless, I'll always remember the impact these stories had on me.

Haven't read a short story collection in ages.

However, Tobias Wolff's name kept coming up, which piqued my curiosity.

So, I finally decided to give it a try and grabbed the only one available at the second-hand store.

And boy, was it well worth it!

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every story in this collection.

Some of the standouts for me were "Powder", "Bullet in the Brain", and "Two Girls and a Boy".

The way Wolff crafts his characters and weaves their stories is truly masterful.

His writing is engaging, thought-provoking, and often quite poignant.

I found myself completely immersed in each story, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

If you're a fan of short stories or just looking for a great read, I highly recommend checking out Tobias Wolff's work.

You won't be disappointed!