I truly love the way Wolff takes the consequences of even the tiniest little lies and manages to make them absolutely earth-shattering. It's truly remarkable. He has this amazing ability to zero in on the everyday details that often go unnoticed by others. These details, which he so skillfully weaves into his stories, have the power to turn ordinary lives upside down. His writing is like a magnifying glass, revealing the hidden depths and dramas that exist within the most mundane of situations. Wolff's attention to detail is what makes his work so engaging and thought-provoking. It makes us realize that even the smallest actions and decisions can have far-reaching consequences. He is, without a doubt, a great writer of the everyday detail, and his work continues to captivate and inspire readers.

I really enjoyed reading these short stories. They had engaging plots and interesting characters that kept me hooked from the beginning.

However, I have to admit that I did not always appreciate the ending. More often than not, the ending left me perplexed or unsatisfied. It felt like the author rushed to conclude the story or did not tie up all the loose ends properly.

Despite this, I still gave the collection 3.5 stars because the overall quality of the stories was good. The writing was vivid and descriptive, and the ideas presented were thought-provoking.

I would recommend this collection to others who enjoy short stories, but I would also caution them that they may not always be happy with the endings.

Jack the Ripper’s story as told by a Victorian music hall singer

Dot Allbones, a charming music hall entertainer, steps onto the stage to share her captivating story. Her narrative not only includes the infamous Jack the Ripper murders that terrorized Whitechapel but also provides a vivid account of life in the bustling music halls of the East End of London. Through her words, we are transported back in time to the late Victorian era and gain insights into the social mores that prevailed.

The book is written in a simple and engaging style, with a fair amount of characterisation that brings the story to life. For me, the most fascinating aspect is the detailed portrayal of how people in the lower classes lived during that time and the common practices among music hall entertainers. It offers a unique perspective on a bygone era.

However, while the book is entertaining enough for those who are into Ripper Street and Victorian tales, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Nevertheless, it provides an interesting glimpse into a dark and mysterious period of history.

Yes, I liked it.

However, I'm learning that I'm not really a fan of the short story.

If I just focus on the writing itself, I can appreciate it the most.

There's none of that feeling of "I want more to it."

Just like the family in "A Good Man Is Hard to Find", in "Bullet in the Brain", the main character Anders finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Violence then occurs, partly because Anders is an obnoxious SOB.

Still, through what doesn't pass through his mind and what does as his life comes to an end, the reader gets to know Anders, both the good and the bad aspects of him.

This short story manages to create a vivid picture of Anders and his situation in a relatively short space, making it an interesting read despite my not being a huge fan of the short story genre in general.

These were the books that I had found in the back shelves of the Chashmeh Publishing House many years ago at a very low price. For example, five or six tomans each.

Their stories didn't really amaze me, but they weren't bad or tiring either. Two or three of them were really good and would engage me.

One was the story of a father whose son's dog is gassed and now he wants to take revenge on the dog, but this revenge leads to subsequent events that unfold like a domino effect and end in a strange incident like the butterfly effect.

Another was a story in which a blacksmith has to choose between the fate of the passengers of a train and his own child.

There was a story about a mother and son who don't have a home and pretend to buy and visit different houses. They wander around and experience moments of warmth in one of these houses.

And the last story, which I thought was even better than all the others, was about a man who gets involved in a bank robbery. This story made me think about death and a strange force pushed me towards death. I would think and wish for death and put myself in the place of the man's character.

The story also had an interesting starting situation. A man whose death notice has been mistakenly published in the newspaper and now he has come to the newspaper office with his wife to complain.

Overall, the author was likeable in my opinion, but there were also some parts that I didn't understand and would get confused and give up.

In the recent episode of the meditative TV show "Rectify", there was a fascinating discussion about this story.

The protagonist, a wise and thoughtful man who has formed a deep friendship with books during his seemingly endless time in prison, passionately defended why Tobias Wolff's "Bullet In The Train" was so dear to him that he had committed it to memory.

His words in the episode, which I quote not just to praise this story or the show, but to emphasize how a story can have a profound impact on a life, were truly remarkable.

He said, "Well, it was... it was during a period of my life where I was having some difficulties dealing with the passage of time in a traditional sense. And since Mr. Wolff's short story deals partly with the bending of time, well, in memorizing it, or in taking the action of memorizing it, I, too, was able to bend time, in a way. Or at least experience it... differently."

This shows how a simple story can offer solace and a new perspective to someone in a difficult situation, highlighting the power of literature to transform lives.

I am deeply attracted to the concept of short stories, which is why I often find myself on a spree of purchasing used short story books. Consequently, it is quite reasonable that I might also go on a run of reading such books from time to time. I was not acquainted with this author, and I can't recall any specific reason for choosing The Night in Question.

However, the first story has piqued my interest, and I have decided to continue reading. A writer has recently obtained a job as the obituary writer for the local newspaper but is promptly fired when one of his subjects turns out to be alive. It appears that he fabricated his own death to see what would be written about him. The conversation within the story is both serious and enjoyable, providing valuable insights. I wonder what else Tobias Wolff has in store for us?

I purchased this book second-hand, and on the front page, it is inscribed: “For Puckett Love Karen.” Additionally, the story “Powder” has a handwritten note that says “Jessie really liked this one and I think you will too.” This is the added advantage of a previously read book. It's like reading reviews on GR that have a personal touch: “Really, I just bought it because there was a train on the cover.”

Here are some snippets from reviews by other Goodreaders:

These stories showcase Wolff's strengths: a brisk narrative flow, memorable characters that come alive with just a few strokes, the occasional nugget of wisdom, and concise metaphors.

. . .

Generally, Wolff's style in these stories is to create an interesting character and situation and then explore the character from multiple perspectives, sometimes delving shockingly deep into the human psyche and presenting characters that I had never seen written about before in a remarkable light.

. . .

Strong, memorable characters? Check. Interesting and engaging plot lines? Check. Abundant wisdom and insight? Check. Plenty of humor and even a few laugh-out-loud moments? Check. And perhaps most importantly, a moment capable of sending shivers down your spine? Check.

. . .

Wolff is both funny and precise. He delves into hard details without repeating himself. The structures of his stories are intricate and fascinating.

. . .

I think the main issue I had with these stories was that so often he creates such a captivating context for the reader, makes us invest in the characters, and makes us care, but then he completely abandons the story, leaving so many questions unanswered, essentially leaving the reader hanging for the sake of dramatic tension and sometimes a beautiful/poetic concluding paragraph or sentence.

. . .

Clear, unpretentious, economical, wry, emotionally authentic, and with unexpected twists and developments that left me stunned and made me think about the stories for hours after reading them.

. . .

Wolff employs O Henry-like twists in some stories, while others primarily offer a slice of life, often not a particularly happy one. Sadness, loneliness, regret, and struggles with moral decisions are all present. 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.

. . .

He's one of my favorite writers, so my enthusiasm is understandable, but I truly believe that this is a book that everyone should pick up.

The Night in Question contains some five-star stories. They are short enough to never become boring and never to exhaust the magic of their words.

Wolff is an outstanding author.

He writes with remarkable brevity, which makes his works truly unique.

Some of the best short stories I have ever encountered are "Bullet in the Brain," "The Night in Question," and "The Chain."

His writing style is captivating and engaging, able to draw readers in and keep them hooked until the very end.

If you are interested in exploring the short story genre, I highly recommend giving Wolff a chance.

His stories are concise yet powerful, filled with deep emotions and thought-provoking themes.

You will be amazed by how much he can convey in just a few pages.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to discover the brilliance of Wolff's short stories.

Pick up one of his works today and embark on a literary journey like no other.

I was acquainted with certain of these stories from magazines, anthologies such as the The Best American Short Stories series, and The New Yorker podcast. I am also a great enthusiast of The Vintage Book Of American Short Stories, which Tobias Wolff edited and which encompasses some of the finest short fiction from the past half-century. (Note to myself: I must finish that book someday and review it appropriately.)

However, I had never read a Wolff book from cover to cover. My misfortune. This is an extremely powerful collection of 15 stories. These are lucid, urgent tales that frequently present moral quandaries that are not easily resolved.

In the opening story, “Mortals,” a hack journalist who spends the majority of his time penning obituaries is dismissed after it is uncovered that he has not been verifying whether his subjects are actually deceased. An encounter with a very much alive man brandishing his own obituary leads to a contemplation on mortality and the well-lived life, with a conclusion that is refreshingly open-ended.

In the timeless story “Two Boys And A Girl,” Gilbert, the narrator, is left to look after his best friend Rafe’s girlfriend, Mary Ann, while Rafe goes on a fishing trip for a couple of weeks. As one might anticipate, Gilbert and Mary Ann develop into more than friends; the ending is both unexpected and perfect.

In “The Other Miller,” a bored soldier is pulled from training when his superiors inform him that his mother has passed away. Miller is aware that they have made a mistake – there is another soldier in the company with the same name – but he goes along with the error for the respite from boredom. And as his fellow soldiers express astonishment that he is not grieving properly, we learn about his estrangement from his own mother. The ending, yet another ambiguous one (is he, in fact, the other Miller?), delves deeper than one might envision.

Strained relationships with parents surface in several stories. This is not surprising if one recalls that Wolff’s best-known book, the memoir This Boy’s Life, chronicled his relationship with his abusive stepfather.

In “Powder,” the narrator’s irresponsible father keeps them skiing for just a little too long, despite the fact that a storm is approaching and the road home will soon be closed off. This night (yet another "night in question"?) will forever change the protagonist’s life. He knows that after this his parents will part ways, but he learns a great deal about his reckless father and himself, all detailed within a few pages.

In the title story, two siblings’ disturbing past with their abusive father is unearthed when the adult sister visits her scarred and manic brother, who has become fixated on repeating a sermon to her.

And in “Firelight,” the young narrator and his mother are in search of better accommodations – they are weary of residing in bleak boarding houses – and visit an apartment with a fireplace. The boy’s imagination – it is quite evident that he is going to become a writer – is kindled by this apartment and the minor drama they encounter within it.

Wolff understands that life is composed of significant moments that – when viewed through the eyes of a genuine artist – can illuminate destiny.

A dog attack at the beginning of the story “The Chain” has major consequences – it initiates a chain reaction, so to speak – in the lives of other people.

The brief and widely anthologized story “Bullet In The Brain” commences ordinarily enough, as a jaded book critic is queuing up at a bank. I do not wish to disclose where it leads, but it defies all the rules regarding story structure and character. Like Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard To Find,” it contains dark, savage humor and brutal violence, and yet it concludes in a moment of pure grace, suspended in time.

And one of my favorite stories, “Flyboys,” is a coming-of-age narrative about friendship that encompasses class differences, death, illness, luck, and a small but significant instance of betrayal. It is one of those stories that resists synopsis, as each detail reverberates with meaning.

Like many of the book’s stories, it made me reflect on my own life, on how individual moments can expand to suggest the course of an entire life in all its ordinariness and profundity.

I will most definitely be rereading many of these stories, and I intend to seek out more of Wolff’s work.

This is the absolute best short story that has ever been penned.

Perhaps I have been influenced by a TC Boyle reading that I heard on a New Yorker podcast around 10 years ago, or so it appears.

And there was also a dramatic presentation by Tom Noonan that has stayed with me for nearly as long.

Even with these possible biases, the story endures repeated readings and various interpretations without losing any of its potency and poetic charm.

In fact, it is a perfect and flawless exemplar of the art of the short story.

It is a work that continues to captivate and engage readers, drawing them in with its masterful storytelling and beautiful prose.

Each time one reads it, new details and meanings emerge, making it a truly remarkable and timeless piece of literature.

Whether you are a lover of short stories or simply someone who appreciates great writing, this story is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is a testament to the power of the written word and the artistry of the author.

I really liked the two stories "Deaths" and "Spark of Fire".

These stories have unique charm and吸引力. "Deaths" might explore the theme of mortality in a profound and thought-provoking way, making readers reflect on the meaning and value of life.

On the other hand, "Spark of Fire" could be a story full of passion and excitement, perhaps about a character's pursuit of a dream or a cause that ignites a spark within them.

The details and情节 in these stories are likely to be engaging and keep the readers hooked from start to finish.

I found myself immersed in the worlds created by these stories and couldn't wait to see how the characters would develop and what would happen next.

Overall, these two stories left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend them to others who enjoy good literature.

My first encounter with the author Tobias Wolff was truly an eye-opening experience.

One thing that is crystal clear is that it will most definitely not be my last. His works offer an intriguing perspective on the rather melancholy truth that every single experience we have could potentially be the very last thing that occurs to us.

Life is astonishingly short, even shorter than we might initially realize, and by the time we come to this understanding, it often seems too late for this knowledge to have any significant benefit for us.

It makes one wonder, what would be the last things that would cross our minds when that fateful moment finally arrives? Would it be the joys and sorrows, the loves and losses, or perhaps the dreams that were never fully realized?

Tobias Wolff's writing forces us to confront these profound questions and reflect on the preciousness and brevity of our lives.

It serves as a powerful reminder to make the most of every moment and cherish the experiences that come our way, for we never know when they might be the last.