It is truly interesting to observe how the transition to the big city had an impact on the lives of several black families during that era.

The stories presented offer a diverse range of perspectives. Some of them are more challenging to engage with compared to others.

Certain ones are highly realistic,描绘了 the harsh realities and struggles that these families faced in the urban environment.

On the other hand, there are also those that are written in a magical realism style, adding an element of fantasy and mystery to the narrative.

This combination of different writing styles makes the exploration of their lives even more captivating and thought-provoking.

It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the complex experiences and emotions of these black families as they navigated the challenges and opportunities of the big city.

Overall, it is a fascinating look into a particular time and place, and the effect that urbanization had on the lives of a specific community.

Dense but weighty,

this collection of works is truly a remarkable piece. It manages to be both thought-provoking and historical, all without coming across as artificial or preachy.

Through the generations, it painstakingly builds a vivid picture of a people and their rich culture. We are taken on a journey that explores their countless struggles, the enchanting myths that have been passed down through the ages, their inherent biases, and above all, their unwavering hope.

Each story within the collection seems to add another layer to this complex tapestry, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the people and their way of life. It is a work that will surely leave a lasting impression on the reader, making them reflect on the power of culture and the human spirit.

As with Jones' earlier story collection (Lost in the City - see my review), these stories are truly deeply affecting.

They depict an entire social world with a detailed clarity and profound meaning that is simply remarkable.

All of the stories, in one way or another, have a family relation or conflict at their center. It could be husbands and wives, parents and children, or brothers and sisters.

However, they don't just stop at the personal level. Instead, they transcend the personal and ultimately explore universal themes and values that resonate with readers on a much deeper level.

An especially interesting aspect of the stories is how they tell the larger story of the Great Migration. In this case, it is the path that led to Washington, D.C.

They show what was gained and what was lost during this significant historical event.

Overall, this collection is a true five-star recommendation. It is a must-read for anyone who loves engaging and thought-provoking stories that offer a unique perspective on life and society.

I made an attempt. I truly exerted a great deal of effort. I was given Jones' book for a graduate school class focused on short stories.

If it hadn't been a requirement, I would never have managed to complete it. As the situation stands, I had to turn to the Audible version of the book since I couldn't maintain my interest in each short story.

Surprisingly, even the Audible version couldn't rescue me. Jones indeed writes beautifully, with a certain elegance and finesse.

However, he constructs a world populated by characters who are seldom endearing. They seem to lack even the tiniest bit of joy in their lives.

Although there are a couple of humorous exchanges of dialogue here and there, the vast majority of the book lacks any sense of lightness or levity.

The more I read, the less interested I became, and I found myself slipping into a state of increasing depression.

It's a rather disappointing experience considering the high praise that Jones has received for his writing.

But for me, this particular collection of short stories just didn't hit the mark.

Such a rich tapestry of story telling unfolds before us. It mainly focuses on the members of the generation of those who were part of the great migration and settled in Washington DC. The stories are beautifully written, with some being quite haunting. It takes a while to read through them as each story should be savored. We are transported into the lives of these individuals, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and the challenges they faced in a new city. The author's vivid descriptions bring the characters and their experiences to life. We can almost see the streets of Washington DC, hear the conversations, and feel the emotions. It is a captivating collection of stories that offers a unique perspective on a particular era and the people who lived through it.

Some of these stories were truly excellent. For example, his previous book, 'The Known World', was outstanding. However, when considering the collection as a whole, it didn't quite reach the same level of quality.

Each story had its own unique charm and亮点. Some were filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that drew the reader in from the very beginning. Others had thought-provoking themes and twists that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.

Nevertheless, there were also a few stories that felt a bit flat or unfinished. The pacing in some of them was a bit off, and the endings didn't always have the impact that they could have had.

Overall, while there were some great individual stories, the collection as a whole left something to be desired. It would have benefited from a bit more polish and refinement to truly shine.

I have a penchant for certain plots within my stories. Interestingly, most of these tales are rather light on the traditional sense of plot. The endings are often ambiguous and subtle, leaving you in a state of uncertainty as to what, if anything, has truly changed.

Nevertheless, I find great enjoyment in these stories and have a strong intention to explore more of Jones's work. What truly captivates me about his writing is his remarkable ability to construct a world and immerse you right within it. He predominantly focuses on Black people in Washington DC during the 20th century. In particular, when you peruse an entire book of his stories within a relatively short span of time, you begin to feel as if you are starting to fathom their world. He delves into the lives of both middle to upper-middle class Blacks and the less fortunate ones, those whose parents have memories of slavery, as well as more contemporary individuals, recent immigrants to DC, and those whose families have been in the capital for a couple of generations. The overall impact is that of an epic history of a people, yet it is presented in the guise of fiction about individual lives, the majority of which are quite unassuming.

I have a particular affinity for the last story in this collection, titled "Tapestry." It revolves around a young bride journeying to DC with her new husband, who happens to be a porter on the train they are traveling on. She has an experience that makes her realize that DC will be vastly different from the small southern town she hails from. It is fitting that this is the final story in the book. It conveys to the reader that all the experiences of the DC residents in all the preceding stories originated from one courageous ancestor who ventured north and had to learn to endure humiliation, make compromises, persevere through hardship, and ultimately survive.

You might not hate this book, so give it a chance.

I read about half of it in November or so. Then I returned it to the library. But later I checked it out again because I don't like leaving things unfinished.

Maybe if I was familiar with DC, the way the author describes the surroundings wouldn't bother me so much. For example, when the author says things like "K street between 13th and 14th" instead of telling us "there's a gas station on the corner, and the rest of the block is row houses", it would be easier for me to picture. Because I'd already have a mental image of that area.

Really, most of the time I felt the book could have been written by Mapquest. It seems that the author focuses too much on the specific locations and directions, rather than creating a more vivid and engaging story. At least, that's the overwhelming impression I'm left with after reading this book.

I have to confess that I didn't even manage to finish this work.

Normally, I'm not the kind of person who gives up easily. However, after having a great liking for The Known World, I was extremely disappointed by this collection of short stories.

There is no doubt that Jones is a highly skilled and masterful writer. His writing techniques and styles are indeed remarkable.

Nevertheless, for some reason, my interest just couldn't be sustained by these characters presented in the short stories.

Maybe it's because the characters didn't seem to have enough depth or complexity to truly engage me. Or perhaps the storylines were not developed in a way that could hold my attention throughout.

Whatever the reason may be, the fact remains that I found myself losing interest and ultimately not being able to complete this collection of short stories.

It's a pity because I had high expectations based on Jones' previous work, but unfortunately, this one just didn't meet those expectations for me.

I thought I was going to have an absolute blast with this, considering I had already read and thoroughly enjoyed one of the stories. However, it turns out to be really, really inconsistent.

Jones has a way of telling stories that involves a horde of tertiary characters and sometimes covers many years. At times, this approach works wonders, creating a rich and engaging narrative. But other times, it just becomes a jumbled mess.

About a quarter of the stories are seriously captivating, drawing you in and making you reluctant to put the book down. Another quarter, unfortunately, are 30 to 40 page slogs that feel like a chore to get through. And the rest are just pretty average, lacking that special something to make them stand out.

When I talked to other people who have read it, some agreed with me in principle, but we had opposite opinions on which stories were good and which were just okay. It's quite frustrating.

On the plus side, it did give me an excuse to serve chili dogs to my book club, so there's that small silver lining.

Overall, while there are some亮点 in this collection, the inconsistency makes it a bit of a disappointment.

So many stories.

There are people who are constantly in transition, moving from one hardship to another, never getting a moment of respite. I read through each story until the end, but it often felt more like a school assignment that I had given myself. And in a way, it was.

Short stories, by their very nature, are just too short. I'm always on the lookout for the long and detailed tale, not the kind that is interrupted or cut short. Maybe it's the little girl in me who is still hunting like crazy for that perfect happy ending. I guess I'm working on reprogramming myself.

Out of all the stories, the one that I liked the most was Adam Robinson Acquires Grandparents and a Little Sister. The writing in this story was truly beautiful.

However, if I'm being completely honest, it was still a bit of a struggle for me to fully engage with it. There was something about it that just didn't quite click. But perhaps that's just a matter of personal taste and preference.

I don't read too many collections of short stories. However, Edward Jones, the winner of the Pulitzer for his novel "The Known World," is truly a master storyteller.

Hagar is a significant biblical figure. She was the slave of Sarah, who was married to Abraham. Sarah, believing she was too old to have children, sent Hagar to Abraham, and they had a child named Ishmael. Later, Sarah miraculously had a child named Isaac, who was intended to be the one to make Abraham the father of all nations. Ishmael was then banished to the desert, where it is believed he became the father of the Arabs.

By using the name Hagar, Jones directly comments on the legacy of slavery and gives a voice to the voiceless. In his fourteen short stories, we gain insights into African-Americans and their culture in contemporary Washington, DC. He writes with a deft hand, infusing a sense of the magical and creating worlds that few of us can even begin to imagine. This is the true strength of his work. It transports us to another time and place, allowing us to experience the lives and struggles of his characters in a profound and meaningful way.

Overall, Edward Jones' short stories are a powerful and engaging exploration of the human experience, with a particular focus on the African-American community. His use of language and his ability to create vivid and memorable characters make his work a must-read for anyone interested in literature and social justice.