Paul Bowles is perhaps most renowned for his novel The Sheltering Sky, and maybe even more so for the movie adapted from it rather than the book itself. However, apparently (at least as I seem to recall reading somewhere, and I'm too lazy to look it up), he himself regarded his stories as his superior work. And of course, it wouldn't be the first time that "most popular" doesn't align with "best". I can't judge that claim myself as I haven't read any of Paul Bowles' novels (yet – but I hope to rectify that eventually), but I don't regret having made my way through the almost 700 pages (or their Kindle equivalent) of this collection.

I don't think anyone would assert for Bowles the status of a major literary figure. He is rather too firmly rooted in the comfortable conventions of nineteenth-century realism for most of his career. And by the time he ventures outside this familiar ground into modernist territory, it has already been thoroughly explored and mapped by more adventurous authors. Bowles is interesting on a thematic level rather than a formal one. This isn't to say he's a bad writer; his stories wouldn't be literature if there wasn't some interplay between form and content. But from a great author, I'd expect an attempt to超越 the tried and true, an attempt at transgression, at developing a unique voice. Paul Bowles just seems too complacent for that to me.

Which is a bit strange because thematically, many of the stories in this collection deal with the opposite of complacency. Bowles' works are often said to be about Westerners (Europeans/Americans) and their encounter with, as well as the ensuing (often violent) disillusionment with, the allure of foreign cultures (mostly North Africa/South America). But while that's true on a surface level, it seems to me there's another layer. Here, the Europeans aren't really blind to what awaits them but seem on some level to actually crave the doom they're walking into. They might not be aware of it, might not consciously desire it, but still have this longing in some deep, hidden part of their personality. Whether one conceives of it in Freudian terms or not, I think most of Paul Bowles' stories can only be understood with some concept of the unconscious.

Even if the stories have someone from a non-Western culture as their protagonist or take place entirely in a Western context, there's almost always some kind of Other involved, often one that exercises a dangerous, even fatal attraction on the protagonist. That Other can even be within the protagonist herself, as in the case of the narrator of "You are not I" (who turns out to be insane). And while Bowles (except for some stories very late in this volume, with their publishing date 1977 and later) never really moves beyond the conventions of realism, reality in his stories is quite often something that can't be fully trusted.

The protagonists in Bowles' stories are often strangely passive, offering no resistance to what's done to them, enduring what they're going through with tacit acceptance as if it were preordained. It's not just that they're resigned to their fate but as if they couldn't even conceive of things being any different. This unquestioning fatalism gives everything an eerie, dreamlike quality. And even in the rare cases where someone is acting, it's not with any real agency. Instead, they get entangled in circumstances they don't oversee and set in motion events they can't control (like the boy in "Senor Ong and Senor Ha") or are outright delusional (like the narrator in "You are not I"). They also quite often have something childlike about them (in fact, they surprisingly often are children or adolescents) in that they sense themselves to be surrounded by a vast conspiracy of grown-ups that they're not privy to and that's always just beyond their comprehension.

Therefore, as vivid as Bowles' evocations can sometimes be, the world his characters move through never seems quite real. Its texture and density are more like those of a fever dream or a drug-induced hallucination. Mind you, the stories never become explicitly fantastic or outright surreal, but they (at least the best among them) have a slightly off-kilter feel, like they were slightly out of focus, or maybe on the contrary, too crisp and sharp in the details to be quite real. This can be rather disquieting to the reader, even creepy, and at least in my opinion, it's in those moments when the hold of realist conformity on Bowles' imagination slips that he is at his most impressive.

In conclusion, let me add a comment on the edition of this collection: It's terrible. It's terrible because it's almost non-existent. I'm aware that this isn't a critical edition, but still – all the reader gets here is a short and not particularly illuminating introduction by Robert Stone and the year of first publication at the end of each story. One would expect at the very least some information on when the stories were composed, where they were published and where collected, whether these are the complete stories of Paul Bowles, and if not, on what basis they were selected – all very basic stuff that even a non-academic reader is likely to be curious about and that might help in placing the stories in context, and all of which is lacking from this edition.

I have an intense love for Paul Bowles!

I have devoured almost every single novel that he has penned. This substantial volume is filled to the brim with an abundance of short stories, and it is the very essence of Paul Bowles.

The primary reason for my adoration of him is that his stories rarely conclude anywhere close to the "and they lived happily ever after" type of ending. Instead, his stories and the protagonists within them are frequently dark and rather unlikable, in that specific order.

His works have a unique allure that draws me in time and time again.

I find myself constantly intrigued by the complex and often disturbing worlds that he creates.

Paul Bowles truly is a master of his craft, and I will continue to cherish and explore his literary contributions.

I love Paul Bowles!

The writing in this work is truly impeccable. It is clean, intelligent, and thoughtful, which is highly commendable. However, most of the stories it contains are so dark that it instills a sense of dread within me every time I pick it up. And yet, I am not one who is easily deterred. The darkness here is not of the horrifying or scary kind. In fact, quite often, it is rather funny and wise. I have managed to read about 75% of it.

Perhaps, someday in the future, I will find the courage and the inclination to go back and finish reading all of these stories. It's a strange mix of emotions that this collection evokes, making it both captivating and somewhat off-putting at the same time. But that's the beauty of literature, I suppose, that it can have such a profound impact on our emotions and thoughts.

The very beginning of Genesis tells us that God created man in order to give him dominion over fish and fowl and all creatures.

Of course, we must remember that Genesis was written by a man, not a horse. There is no absolute certainty that God actually did grant man such dominion over other creatures.

What seems more likely, in fact, is that man, in his desire for power and control, invented God as a means to sanctify the dominion that he had usurped for himself over the cow and the horse and all other animals.

Perhaps man felt the need to justify his actions and make them seem divinely ordained.

By creating a story of God赋予him dominion, he could ease his conscience and continue to exploit the natural world without question.

However, this does not mean that we should dismiss the idea of God altogether.

There may be a higher power at work in the universe, but our understanding of it is limited by our human perspective.

We must be careful not to use religion as an excuse for our own greed and exploitation.

Instead, we should strive to live in harmony with the natural world and respect the rights and dignity of all creatures.

This collection of Paul Bowles (1910 - 1999) is a remarkable compilation. It consists of sixty-two short stories that are chronologically arranged, spanning a period of forty years of his creative work.

Many of these stories are set in Morocco, the place where the American writer Bowles chose to live.

Now, please don't let my 2-star rating deter you from exploring this collection. You should be aware that most of these stories have a slow and deliberate pace. Even the shortest of the short stories offer a payoff that is pensively sluggish. However, if you are in the right mood, have an appreciation for this kind of literary work that isn't overly fast-paced, I believe you might find value in Bowles' writing. I have the impression that if I had read this during the winter instead of the spring, my experience with the text would have been different.

The setting of the stories is truly captivating. It has a magnetic quality that kept drawing me back, even when I felt a bit disenchanted. It was like a tugboat hauling an unwieldy barge, pulling me around until I was once again immersed in the reading (yes, I just compared myself to an unwieldy barge). Some of these stories are truly outstanding, but unfortunately, most of them failed to resonate with me. But then again, who knows? Maybe they will strike a chord with you.

There are some truly chilling stories within the pages of this tome.

The account of a man being chased by a legless, hairy creature with flipper arms truly sets the tone for the entire book.

However, one cannot help but notice that the stories are rather short and a distinct pattern emerges.

Person A ventures to a foreign land, settles in, and for a time, nothing seems to happen.

Day after day, week after week, it's just the same routine.

And then, out of the blue, something completely unexpected occurs.

Oh my Sainted Peter, what on earth just happened?

The person is left completely flabbergasted and realizes that they will never be able to adequately explain this strange occurrence to their friends back in civilization.

For such a thing could never, ever happen there.

Never, I tell you! It's as if these foreign lands hold secrets and mysteries that are beyond our comprehension.

One of my all-time favorites (if not my favorite) authors is J.K. Rowling. Her Harry Potter series has taken the world by storm and has become a global phenomenon. The stories are filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters. I was completely captivated by the first book and couldn't put it down. The way she creates a whole new world and makes it come alive is truly remarkable. Each book in the series builds on the previous one, adding more depth and complexity to the story. I also love how she explores themes such as friendship, courage, and love. The characters grow and change throughout the series, and you can't help but root for them. J.K. Rowling's writing style is engaging and easy to read, yet it also has a certain elegance and charm. She has a gift for creating vivid descriptions and making you feel as if you are right there in the story. Overall, I think she is an amazing author and her books will be loved for generations to come.

This is one of my all-time favourite collections of short stories.

Each story within this collection is a unique gem, offering a diverse range of themes, settings, and characters.

The authors have masterfully crafted tales that can transport the reader to different worlds, evoke a wide array of emotions, and make them think deeply about various aspects of life.

Some of the stories are filled with mystery and suspense, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

Others are more heartwarming and touching, leaving a lasting impression of love, friendship, and kindness.

The beauty of this collection lies in its ability to cater to different tastes and interests, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Whether you are in the mood for a thrilling adventure, a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, or a simple and charming story to brighten your day, this collection has it all.

It is truly a literary treasure trove that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves the art of storytelling.

I am still working my way through these short stories between and around other books. It's a rather interesting way to read. Sometimes, when I finish a thick novel, I need a break and these short stories come in handy. They offer a quick escape into different worlds and characters. Each story is like a small gem, shining with its own unique light. I can read one in a sitting and then move on to something else. It keeps my reading experience diverse and exciting. I enjoy the variety that these short stories bring. They allow me to explore different genres and writing styles within a short period of time. It's a great way to expand my literary horizons and discover new authors and works that I might not have otherwise come across.

I think I would've given this one star, mainly because of all that raping. It really made me uncomfortable and almost turned me off completely. However, there was a saving grace in the form of the 80s stories.

I actually liked those a lot. They had a certain charm and nostalgia that managed to capture my attention. The details and the atmosphere of the 80s were well-described, making me feel as if I was back in that era.

But still, the presence of the raping scenes couldn't be ignored. It was a major drawback that almost outweighed the enjoyment I got from the 80s stories. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to others, considering the disturbing content. Maybe for those who are really into 80s nostalgia and can overlook the more unpleasant aspects, it might be worth a read. But for me, it was a bit of a mixed bag.

I asked AI to provide me with the 15 best Bowles short stories. And these are the ones that I have read. Those with asterisks are the ones that I highly recommend.

If you have a penchant for lush prose and a spine-chilling, suffocating sense of isolation in alien, desolate landscapes, then Bowles is the author for you!

I feel compelled to issue a specific warning for “A Distant Episode.” It is truly remarkable – yet, it has left an indelible mark on me for life.

“By the water *”

“The echo *”

“A distant episode *”

“The Scorpion”

“Under the sky *”

“Pages from Cold Point”

“Pastor Dowe at Tacaté *”

“The circular valley”

“The deadly prey”

“The fourth day out from Santa Cruz”

“The hours after noon *”

“The time of friendship *”

“Allal *”

“In the red room *”

“Too far from home *”

Also, if your copy of the book is like mine, the last story (which is more of a novella, really) has a misprint – and the ending is missing! (Unless, of course, he ended it mid-sentence, which I highly doubt. Maybe I’ll pose the question to AI.)

Paul Bowles was an incredibly brilliant storyteller.

I truly and deeply enjoyed reading his stories.

Prior to delving into his captivating world, I had very little knowledge about Morocco or the life that existed in the Sahara.

However, after finishing his stories, I have come to know a tiny bit more.

Albeit my view is somewhat biased as it is seen through the lens of an American immigrant.

His stories seem to paint a vivid and often mysterious picture of a place and a way of life that was previously foreign to me.

The characters he creates and the situations they find themselves in add depth and complexity to my understanding.

It is as if he has opened a small window into a world that I might otherwise never have had the opportunity to glimpse.

Despite the limitations of my perspective, I am grateful for the new insights that his stories have provided.

They have made me curious to learn more about Morocco and the Sahara, and to explore this fascinating region further.

Paul Bowles' storytelling has truly had a profound impact on my perception of this distant and enchanting place.