4.5* Great stories with masterful writing.

This rating truly reflects the excellence of the literary works in question. The stories are not only engaging but also beautifully crafted. Each word seems to be carefully chosen, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

The masterful writing style allows the readers to easily immerse themselves in the fictional worlds created by the authors. The characters come alive, and their emotions and experiences are palpable.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking mystery, these great stories have it all. They take the readers on a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes even tears.

In conclusion, the combination of great stories and masterful writing makes these literary works a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature. They have the power to transport the readers to different places and times, and leave a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.

I've read these stories

again and again. They all take place in various parts of Washington, D.C.

and feature various residents of the city. Jones is truly one of the greatest story writers.

His ability to bring the city to life through his words is remarkable.

The characters he creates are so vivid and real that you feel as if you know them personally.

Each story is unique and engaging, with its own set of themes and emotions.

Whether it's a story about love, loss, or hope, Jones always manages to touch the reader's heart.

I can't wait to read more of his work and see what other wonderful stories he has in store for us.

This, to me, appears to be quite overtly an answer or homage to \\n Dubliners\\n. This time, the backdrop city is Washington, D.C., and the cast consists of working-class Black Americans instead of working-class Irish Catholics. Jones's prose, much like Joyce's in his own debut, is confidently understated and rich with dialogue. His plots are similarly minimal, and his conclusions are likewise open-ended.

Jones also emulates Joyce in that most of his evocation of place is achieved through the frequent naming of streets and neighborhoods rather than through sensory or spatial description. You'll learn a great deal about the people of D.C., but if you're not already well-versed in the less touristy parts of the city itself (I admit I'm not), Jones isn't likely to enhance your mental image much.

Although I consider Jones's later novel The Known World to be a masterpiece, I never quite managed to embrace this one. I think this response owes much more to my ongoing struggle with the Literary Short Story as a form than to any actual artistic flaws on Jones's part. He's a master craftsman regardless of what he's doing; I'm just always personally going to prefer that sort of thing to this.

A long time ago, I made an interesting discovery. I realized that not all short stories within a typical bound collection are of equal interest or entertainment value.

Whether it's the works of Steinbeck, Conrad, O'Brian, London, or Doig, there are always some stories that just don't quite hit the mark.

However, author Edward P. Jones has presented a remarkable series of stories. Most of them revolve around the lives of people who live in or around Washington, D.C.

Some of these stories I found to be truly well-crafted. They had such a powerful pull that when my reading time had to yield to household chores, it was extremely difficult for me to put them down.

The writing in these stories is clear and concise, the situations are highly realistic, and the characters are very well-defined.

Admittedly, in my opinion, a couple of the stories didn't seem to develop a clear point.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely be on the lookout for more of his writing. I've heard that his novel, The Known World, is an outstanding read, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it for myself.

Definitely recommended!

I read about this author recently, and I believe it was in the NYT. I was so curious that I went to find a copy of this collection of stories set in Washington, DC, which was published in the early 1990s.

It offers a window into a very different experience of the city than my own. Obviously, it's not just about the different perspective but also really good stories that would interest anyone.

Part of my enjoyment comes from the fact that the author makes some choices that I found unexpected. For example, in terms of where to end his stories. That kind of surprise provides food for thought beyond the inherent interest of the characters and events of the stories. And I should note that the stories themselves would have been enough to keep me reading.

So, I'll definitely be looking to read more by this author.

Prior to this, I had only delved into Jones's "The First Day." As a result, the vast majority of these stories deviated significantly from what I had anticipated. However, they also exceeded my expectations by a wide margin. I am truly glad that I dedicated the time to immerse myself in and relish each and every story, along with their remarkable casts of characters.

Each story seemed to unfold like a unique tapestry, weaving together intricate plots and emotions. The characters were so vividly portrayed that they seemed to leap off the page and into my imagination. Some were endearing, while others were complex and mysterious, yet all of them added depth and richness to the overall collection.

As I read on, I found myself becoming increasingly captivated by the world that Jones had created. The stories took me on a journey through different times, places, and experiences, and I emerged on the other side with a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling. I would highly recommend this collection to anyone who loves to lose themselves in a good book and discover new and wonderful worlds within its pages.

Jones characters are truly remarkable as they, much like the stories themselves, defy simple categorization.

There is undoubtedly a sense of empathy that pervades, yet there is also a notable discipline - a rigor - that keeps it far from being just mere pathos. It's a unique combination that adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

The geographic specificity is another interesting aspect. It presents an odd but consistent pleasure, transporting the reader to specific locations with vivid details. This not only enriches the setting but also gives a sense of authenticity to the characters and their experiences.

Overall, Jones' work is a captivating exploration of the human condition, with characters and stories that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

One of the stories in this book was truly remarkable. It was so captivating that I almost had a strange wish that I hadn't read it, because it simply refused to leave my mind.

The story titled "The Sunday Following Mother's Day" was particularly outstanding. It had a unique charm and depth that drew me in from the very beginning.

As I delved deeper into the narrative, I found myself completely immersed in the characters and their experiences. The author's writing style was engaging and vivid, making it easy for me to picture every scene in my mind.

This book, in general, has become one of my absolute favorites. Each story within its pages offers something special and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read that will stay with them long after they've turned the last page.

I have an intense love for this author's Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, The Known World. Once I became aware that he had penned a couple of story collections, I immediately knew that I had a strong desire to give one a try.

These stories are centered around his hometown of Washington DC. They follow the ordinary lives of the people who are living in the nation's capital. The writing in these stories is of good quality. However, the stories never truly resonated with me in the way that I had hoped.

Perhaps it was because I couldn't fully connect with the specific experiences and settings described. Or maybe my expectations were set too high after being so enamored with his previous novel. Nevertheless, I still appreciate the author's talent and the effort put into creating these collections. I may even give them another chance in the future to see if my perspective changes.

This was Edward P. Jones' first book. It is an amazing collection of stories centered around ordinary black people in DC.

These stories show that ordinary people can be the stuff of extraordinary writing. They are not stories with a surprise ending or a message. Rather, they are a slice of life with people who you might be sitting next to on the bus.

Jones is not judgmental. He sees all people as God's creatures, and in one way or another, they are lost in the city.

I know Edward only slightly, and he is an unassuming guy without a hint of worldliness about him. He seems shy and somewhat eccentric, and he is a product of the streets and neighborhoods that he writes about.

He doesn't own a car, and only with the intervention of the state department did he get a passport issued. So, it came as a bit of a surprise to me that he has a canvas that is so large concerning the human condition.

He is not innocent or nostalgic. He is like a photographer who gets the picture without gussying it up or playing tricks. What James Joyce did for middle-class Dubliners in his series of short stories, the Dubliners, Jones has done for poor and working-class blacks in DC in this book.

I'm not generally a short stories reader. However, this is a truly fantastic collection.

Particularly if you're a native or resident of DC, it holds a special charm. All 14 stories are set in the historically African American neighborhoods of the District during the second half of the 20th century.

These stories are all about struggle, presented through patient and poignant vignettes that bring to life a whole cast of characters and the communities they belong to.

While every story is worth reading, my personal favorites are: "The Girl Who Raised Pigeons", which tells an endearing tale of a girl and her unique hobby. "The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed" is a tragic and thought-provoking story that delves into the heartbreak and consequences of a particular event. "The Store" offers a glimpse into the daily life and dramas that unfold within a local establishment. "Lost in the City" explores the themes of identity and belonging in an urban setting. "Gospel" has a spiritual and uplifting quality, and "Marie" is a story that captures the essence of a particular individual and her experiences.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of African American life in DC during this era.

Jones描绘他的角色时，展现出丰富的现实主义色彩，这使得这些短篇小说即便其基调并非总是乐观向上，却依然令人愉悦。

我尤其沉浸于《商店》这篇较长的故事，它有一定的人物塑造。然而，《朗达·弗格森遇害之夜》《玛丽》以及《开往鲍尔斯顿的橙线列车》中所描述的生活片段对我来说也是亮点。

作为一名地铁乘客，最后一篇故事尤其逼真——那位烫伤孩子让他们面朝座位坐着的妇女，当列车挤满乘客时密切关注孩子的母亲，她的孩子们会问的问题“灯光怎么知道火车什么时候来？”

所有这些故事都有趣地让我们得以窥见20到80年前华盛顿特区的生活可能是什么样的。