The best collection by the best short story writer in America.

Wolff's works are truly remarkable. His stories have the power to touch the deepest emotions within us.

Merged review:

I had the privilege of hearing Wolff read this particular story in San Francisco in 1996. It was an unforgettable experience. The moment he began to read, I was completely captivated.

As the story unfolded, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in it. The characters were so vivid, the plot so engaging.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Yes, I cried. It was that powerful.

This story is a true masterpiece. It is a fantastic example of Wolff's incredible talent as a short story writer.

His ability to create such a moving and impactful story in a relatively short amount of time is truly astonishing.

If you haven't read Wolff's works yet, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.

The above story collection was truly extraordinary. I had more pleasure than the common narrative style... A world of thanks again to Mehran Najafi for suggesting this work. With the permission of Raena Velili, my good friend, I want to use their style and rate each story in this collection with stars. :) The story "Sacrifice" was really an attractive story... The simple narrative style was common in the narrative, which was repeated with some differences in other stories. The story "Sacrifice" gets 2 stars out of 5. The story "Snow" gets 3 stars; it was really a lovely story. I really enjoyed it. The story of "Father and Son" and their strange relationship... gets 2 stars. The story "Chain" gets 4 stars; it was really an attractive story; although it was a bit predictable, like some stories where a series of accidental events lead to a predictable plot... Some stories, like "Lead's Dream" and "The Desired Night" with 2 stars each, and "Flame of Fire" with 4 stars, and "The Pearl in the Brain" which was a masterpiece and really gets 5 stars..... Overall, I really enjoyed these stories. The author showed how he can create attractive themes from simple events... I mean that he has mentioned the detailed and seemingly insignificant events in an attractive way in his story and sometimes even based the main framework of his story on them....

This story collection offers a diverse range of tales, each with its own unique charm. From the heartwarming "Snow" to the thought-provoking "Chain," there is something for every reader to enjoy. The author's ability to turn ordinary events into captivating stories is truly remarkable. Whether it's through the use of vivid descriptions or unexpected plot twists, the stories in this collection keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

One of the standout features of this collection is the variety of narrative styles. Some stories are told in a simple and straightforward manner, while others employ more complex literary devices. This diversity adds depth and richness to the overall collection, making it a truly engaging read.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this story collection to anyone who enjoys a good read. Whether you're a fan of romance, mystery, or simply a well-told story, you're sure to find something to love in these pages. So, grab a copy, sit back, and enjoy the journey through this wonderful world of stories.

Man bites dog. Of course the pooch had it coming.

In the renowned memoirist and short story maestro Tobias Wolff's third collection of stories, that specific nibble sets off a chain of events that would have made O Henry tip his hat in admiration. And this isn't at all unexpected. Wolff has snagged three O Henry awards for his short fiction. Additionally, he has won a Pen/Faulker, a Story Prize, and a Rea Award. His work is often mentioned in the same breath as that of Raymond Carver. They were both on the Syracuse University faculty simultaneously, so perhaps there was something in the water.

Wolff is most famous for his memoir, A Boy's Life, and his personal experiences infuse his stories. One story features a sadistic father. In another, a mother and her son traipse from city to city, residing in boarding houses, never truly settling down. We catch a glimpse of military life. Another is set in a boarding school much like the one Wolff attended. He knows precisely what he's writing about when描绘such lives, such places, and such circumstances, and it shows.

The title story contains the following line:

No one should be alone in this world. Everyone should have someone who kept faith, no matter what, all the way.

That sentiment pervades the stories in this masterful collection. Many of his characters endure loneliness, a sense of isolation, guilt, or regret. A man's act of revenge goes dreadfully awry. Another man recalls a magical moment from his childhood and incorporates it into his adult life in a story that examines the elements of happiness. Wondering what the world thinks of you? One of Wolff's characters discovers a unique way to determine his standing. A soldier puts himself in harm's way due to his compulsion to speak out. An adolescent boy yearns to be with a particular girl and gets a chance to try, but can he truly rise above what he is and how she really perceives him? A woman and her stepdaughter briefly step out of their isolation from each other. A dying man witnesses his life flashing before his eyes. A woman uses guilt to hold onto a friend on the verge of leaving. Connections are lost, sought, endangered, or never made.

Stylistically, the stories in this collection range from linear narrative to a blend of past and present (usually adults reflecting on the follies, horrors, or fond memories of youth), from first person narrative to third person. Wolff employs O Henry-like twists in some stories, while others primarily展示a slice of life, and usually not a particularly joyous one. Sadness, loneliness, regret, and grappling with moral decisions all abound here. There are the occasional signs or symbols of hope. There are a few laughs to be had, but most smiles will stem from the dark irony of several of Wolff's endings. If there were numerous literary references here, they eluded me. One sort-of exception is an overt nod to Richard Brautigan in the story Mortals. But I didn't really fathom what Wolff meant by it, so perhaps it passed by beside my head rather than completely over it.

This work is enjoyable for the power of its portraits. We witness lives in moral jeopardy and sometimes physical danger as well. I found the stories fulfilling, even if I didn't always feel that I fully grasped the intended meaning. So if that's acceptable to you, or more likely, if you're more perceptive and astute than I and can see the elements that may lurk in the shadows for me, this is a strong and worthwhile read.

A very short story unfolds in a bank queue. There is a man who, out of sheer bloody-mindedness, decides to take on a sociopath who is robbing the bank. As a result, he gets a bullet in the brain for his trouble. This man is not a pleasant one. In fact, his actions seem rather idiotic. However, that is not the essence of the story.

What Wolff is doing here is描绘 an angry unconscious suicide. The writing is truly superb. Even though the final paragraphs do not fully explain everything, it doesn't matter. The ending is just that - an ending. It is the path leading to the ending that holds significance.

In this story, there isn't a great deal of 'why'. It is simply the imaginative presentation of something that no writer can truly claim to have experienced and thus write about with complete authenticity - sudden death. The death itself is not the main point. It is the suicidal bloody-mindedness that takes center stage, and this aspect is masterfully drawn.

First-class short story collection; almost a five-star rating.

\\n  This is my first encounter with Tobias Wolff's works.\\n

The collection encompasses fifteen short stories that were previously published in diverse literary journals, with three of them being selected for the Best American Short Stories series.

After my rather inconsistent experience with modern American short stories, Wolff's offering came as a rejuvenating delight. His stories are emotionally forthright, thought-provoking, and inventive in their scope. He writes with authenticity and experience about life beyond the bourgeois realm that most authors typically focus on. Simultaneously, he doesn't aim for novelty by depicting those on the extreme fringes of society. Instead, his protagonists often inhabit the messy middle ground - the insecure, the self-deceived, and the inexperienced. Even readers who have achieved some form of success in life can recognize their own fears and doubts magnified in Wolff's characters.

After a dialogue-rich beginning with Mortals, the second story, Casualty, features a more literary language. The opening paragraph arrests the reader's attention:

\\"B.D. carried certain objects. He observed in his disposition and arrangements, a certain order, and became irritable and fearful whenever that order was disrupted. There were certain words he said to himself at certain moments, power words. Sometimes he really believed in all of this; other times he believed in nothing. But he was alive, and he gave honor to all possible causes.\\"

This language prompts one to pause and reflect: what is meant by \\"dispositions and arrangements,\\" and giving \\"honor to all possible causes?\\" Wolff has a penchant for such literary flourishes, but in the end, I was drawn in and didn't have any regrets.

The strength of Wolff's stories frequently lies in the astonishing lives of his characters: strange yet believable. There is a Northern English adage, \\"There's nowt as queer as folk\\" (where \\"nowt\\" means \\"nothing\\" and \\"queer\\" means \\"strange\\"), and this holds true in abundance for the lives portrayed in these short stories.

However, I did find that some of the stories didn't quite pass the reality \\"sniff test\\" when Wolff had an interesting concept and it seemed that reality had been stretched a little too far to fit the plotline.

For instance, in The Other Miller, two soldiers offer condolences to a comrade in a way that veers implausibly close to therapy: \\"That's the way. Talk it out\\"....\\"I'm hearing a lot of anger. Ventilate. Own it.\\" And in Firelight, an apartment is shown to prospective renters by the current occupants rather than the landlord, as would typically be the case, enabling the story to center on the occupants' life struggles.

Nonetheless, this is a minor quibble, somewhat like finding a weak link in a TV detective show. The reason these idiosyncrasies stand out is because Wolff's writing is otherwise so remarkable.

The Night in Question was almost a contender for a five-star rating but just missed the mark (given the points mentioned above). I'm glad to have discovered Wolff and eagerly anticipate exploring his other works.

Writers are constantly advised to commence their novels with a "hook" - an enticing premise that compels the reader to continue reading. However, Laurie Graham doesn't rely on such a device. Her characters are invariably so authentic and engaging that one reads simply to become acquainted with them. Throughout most of this book, all Dot Allbones does is lead her life as a music hall entertainer - yet I was completely captivated.

I would have preferred it even more had it been entirely fictional. As it transpired, I was disappointed when it emerged that the story was about the Ripper murders. This is a subject that has been overdone. I can't shake the feeling that if Ms Graham had allowed her imagination to run wild instead of being restricted by historical events, she could have devised a far more exciting adventure for Dot.

Perhaps she could have sent Dot on a globetrotting escapade, or had her involved in a mysterious love triangle. The possibilities are endless when one is unencumbered by the limitations of historical accuracy. Nevertheless, despite my initial disappointment, I still found much to enjoy in the book. The character of Dot was well-developed, and the descriptions of the music hall scene were vivid and atmospheric. Overall, it was an entertaining read, albeit one that could have been even better with a bit more creative license.

Excellent story! This is something that has been lingering in my mind (hee-hee) for quite some time. I've often thought about doing it, but he managed to pull it off on several levels. Every writer, at some point or another, has entertained the thought of putting a bullet in a critic's brain. :)

I just love the way he doesn't miss a single beat. The setup is perfect, followed by the critical point, and then the story unfolds beautifully. It's truly captivating.

Wow!

You can find it online here: http://pov.imv.au.dk/Issue_27/section...

Mr. Wolff is widely recognized for his remarkable short fiction.

However, this particular collection is the first one of his that I have had the pleasure of reading, and it truly did not disappoint.

Published in 1996, the majority of the stories within this collection are set in the 1960s and 1970s.

These stories vividly depict the lives of damaged or flawed individuals who are constantly facing the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

In addition, there are a couple of stories that are set in Vietnam, masterfully capturing the boredom, the paralyzing fear, and the sheer horror of war.

Mr. Wolff is undoubtedly a solid writer and an excellent storyteller.

His ability to bring these characters and their experiences to life on the page is truly remarkable.

After reading this collection, I am now eager to seek out more of his short fiction.

I would rate this collection 3.5 stars, as it offers a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

I came across this short story while reading Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Pattern in Narrative. I have to admit that the literary dissection provided in the writing book failed to truly capture the essence of the story.

The story is truly remarkable and well worth the brief time it takes to read, which is less than ten minutes. It has a certain charm and depth that the analysis in the book simply couldn't convey.

I found myself completely engaged in the narrative, despite its short length. The author managed to pack so much emotion and meaning into those few pages.

It makes me wonder if perhaps the literary dissection was too focused on the technical aspects of the writing and overlooked the overall impact and beauty of the story.

In any case, I would highly recommend this short story to anyone looking for a quick and engaging read that will leave them with something to think about.

As far as short stories are concerned, this one is truly among my all-time favorites. It stands right up there with John Murray's "A Few Short Notes on Tropical Butterflies" and Raymond Carver's "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?".

Although there are some sexual elements scattered throughout the collection that I didn't particularly like, I still have to award it five stars solely based on the incredible character development. Some of the stories are extremely short, yet every single character within them feels like a genuine, living person. The way Wolff masterfully articulates people's emotional and mental journeys leaves me in a state of awe. How on earth can something as intangible as human emotions and thoughts be described with such perfect precision?

The endings of many of these stories hit like a gut punch, but in the very best way possible. The metaphors used are not only precise but also beautifully crafted.

Here are some of my favorite quotes and phrases from the collection (and there are many more):

"Your problem is, you think everything has to mean something." That was indeed one of my own problems, and I couldn't deny it.

B.D. had some interesting ideas about how certain things might occur, acts of impulse such as going after a wounded man or jumping on a grenade, among other things he had heard and read about, and in which he believed he could recognize the potential of his own nature.

The glitter of windshields added a touch of sparkle to the scene.

Claire had the mysterious gift, which was baffling to April, of knowing exactly what she looked like even without the aid of a mirror. April's face was always a surprise to her, always somehow different from what she had imagined it to be.

He stares through the snapping plastic window, his gaze fixed and intense.

The boy's hands lay twisted in his lap, looking like gloves that someone had carelessly dropped there.

Unconditional enthusiasm usually had a tiring effect on Gilbert, but Mary Ann gave praise, it seemed to him, not to reflect it back on herself or to disguise some hidden bitterness but simply because that was the essence of her nature.

In fact, everyone is alone all the time, but when you fall ill, you become acutely aware of it, and that is a large part of what suffering truly means - the awareness of being alone.

The clinging trap of crust beneath the new snow presented a hidden danger.

The logs settled in the fireplace, very softly, as if some old sleeping dog was adjusting its bones.

DNF - I read the first half.

The stories were all decently written. However, there was nothing particularly outstanding about them that would compel me to continue reading.

Among them, the only one that I truly thought was excellent was "The Life of The Body".

It was really cool to read a story written in the first person. As we progress through the narrative, we gradually come to realize that the narrator is a creepy stalker guy.

This unexpected twist added an element of mystery and excitement to the story.

It made me want to know more about the narrator's motives and actions.

Overall, while the other stories in the first half were average, "The Life of The Body" stood out and made me consider giving the rest of the collection another chance.

Perhaps there are more hidden gems like this one waiting to be discovered.

Wolff makes it seem incredibly effortless.

His prose is crafted with meticulous precision, carefully measured and enhanced by some truly memorable turns of phrase.

The characters he creates speak with authenticity, their words flowing from genuine motivations.

Moreover, his plots are not only simple and elegant but also possess an evocative and profound quality.

However, my only concern is that I'm not entirely certain what the overall sum or significance of it all is.

Despite the beauty and skill in Wolff's writing, there is a certain ambiguity that leaves me pondering and wondering what the deeper meaning or message might be.

Perhaps it is this very ambiguity that makes his work so captivating and worthy of further exploration.