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The Whore's Child and Other Stories

richard russo

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With a fluency of tone that will surprise even his devoted readers these short stories capture both bewildering horror and heartrending tenderness with an absorbing, compassionate authority.

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his best-selling Empire Falls—also named the year's best novel by Time—Richard Russo now focuses, in his first book of short fiction, on a fresh and fascinating range of human behavior. With a fluency of tone that will surprise even his devoted readers, he captures both bewildering horror and heartrending tenderness with an absorbing, compassionate authority.

We warm to these newcomers—as to all Russo's characters—almost despite ourselves. A jaded Hollywood moviemaker uncovers a decades-old flame he never knew he'd harbored. A precocious fifth grader puzzles over life, love and baseball as he watches his parents' marriage dissolve. Another child is forced into a harrowing cross-country escape whose actual purpose he learns only after the fact. An elderly couple rediscovers the power, and the misery, of their relationship during a long-awaited retreat to a resort island. And in the title story, a septuagenarian nun invades the narrator's college writing workshop with an incredible saga.

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 9,2002

This edition

Format
240 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 2003 by Vintage UK
ISBN
9780099437529
ASIN
009943752X
Language
English

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About the author

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richard russo

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
mrtoycar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Russo's work may have been the first book I read. And from that moment on, there was no turning back. I was immediately captivated by his unique writing style and the engaging stories he told. The characters in his books seemed to come alive on the pages, and I found myself completely immersed in their worlds.


Each book I read by Russo was like a new adventure, taking me to different places and introducing me to a diverse range of people. His ability to create vivid settings and develop complex characters was truly remarkable. I couldn't get enough of his books and would eagerly await the release of each new one.


Reading Russo's works has not only entertained me but has also had a profound impact on my own writing. His use of language, pacing, and plot construction has served as an inspiration for me. I strive to emulate his style and bring the same level of depth and authenticity to my own stories.

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AnosDL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Smartly written, the stories present deeply flawed characters with a unique writing style that feels refreshingly new.

However, there are several highly problematic elements such as assault, rape, and incest. These elements seem completely unnecessary and have left a sour taste in my mouth.

They ultimately ruin my enjoyment of what would otherwise be well-written stories.

It's a pity that such disturbing and inappropriate content has been included, as it overshadows the otherwise positive aspects of the writing.

One wonders if the author could have achieved the same impact without resorting to these extreme and often offensive themes.

Perhaps a more sensitive and thoughtful approach could have been taken to explore the complex nature of the characters and their relationships.

Nonetheless, despite the flaws, the unique writing style and the overall concept of the stories still hold some potential.

It remains to be seen if the author will address these issues in future works and continue to develop their writing in a more positive direction.
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trishxlucia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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As always, Richard Russo does not disappoint.

His talent shines through in this collection of half-dozen short stories. The dialogue is engaging and realistic, pulling the reader right into the characters' lives. The plots are well-crafted, full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

But what really sets Russo apart is his deep sense of human behavior. He delves into the hearts and minds of his characters, exploring their fears, desires, and motivations with great insight.

Whether it's a story about a dysfunctional family, a love triangle, or a man's midlife crisis, Russo manages to make the reader feel a connection to the characters and their experiences.

I found myself completely immersed in each story, and before I knew it, I had finished the entire collection. If you're a fan of great short fiction, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

You won't be disappointed.
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blushjoy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Great for book groups.

I've always had a deep admiration for Richard Russo's writing. His ability to craft engaging stories and develop complex characters is truly remarkable.

This latest work of his does not disappoint in the slightest. It continues to showcase his unique writing style and his talent for drawing readers in and making them care about the characters and their experiences.

The story is filled with interesting plot twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives.

Overall, this is a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading well-written novels. It's perfect for book groups as it provides plenty of material for discussion and analysis.
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LAOG
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Richard Russo is indeed the remarkable author of Empire Falls. However, when it comes to the other works I've perused from him, they have failed to measure up.

Some of these tales hold a certain value, yet the majority seem to revolve around the same themes: a 50-year-old man, be it his wife or ex-wife, his children, his sexual musings, and going on a trip.

Most of the characters are writers or professors. In essence, a significant portion of the stories seem to be about Richard Russo himself. This can become rather wearisome.

I had intended to read his highly lauded Bridge of Sighs, but that would have been his final opportunity with me. He could never surpass the brilliance of Empire Falls. Sadly, not everyone manages to pen even a single masterpiece in their lifetime.

It's a pity that after the outstanding achievement of Empire Falls, his other works haven't quite reached the same heights. But perhaps that's the nature of the literary world, where one great work can overshadow the rest.

Nevertheless, Richard Russo's talent is undeniable, and Empire Falls will always remain a shining example of his literary prowess.
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evil_eye
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I don't find books - books find me. This book, in fact, is a prime example of the process.

I was in BooksAMillion looking through the used library books ($3 each) and saw the name Richard Russo, who I thought (accurately) had won a Pulitzer. So, I purchased the book, even though the title had stickers covering it. It was only later, halfway into the book, that I glanced at the spine and realized the title "The Whore's Child" seems designed to titillate... a kind of marketing oversell which, had I known the title, would have put me off from reading the book. The theory being that books (like movies) which depend on special effects or rave reviews (or trick titles) aren't blessed with much substance. I'm glad I hadn't seen the title because I enjoyed this book more than many I've read recently.

A short story, for many writers, is to novels like sketching is to painting for artists. It is a rare master of the craft that can draw a sketch that is a work of art (Picasso and da Vinci come to mind), and it is a very rare writer that can elevate the short story to an art form. I think of Tolstoy, Raymond Carver, Andre Dubus (the elder), and Faulkner as maestros of the short story. It is sad to realize that these men all share an obvious common property: they're all dead, thus the odds of them producing a new short story are very slim.

It is with much delight that I introduce Richard Russo to the ranks of the Short Story Masters. His published collection of short stories, "The Whore's Child", is as excellent as those works produced by the writers previously mentioned, and the fact that he's still writing offers great hope for more great short fiction.

I despise reviews that reveal plot twists and endings, so I'll skip the "wow" moments and assure you that each of the seven short stories has a "swish-conk" moment where the flash of insight strikes you in the forehead like the proverbial can of V8 juice. These moments are so well done that you can't anticipate them; they occur naturally, embedded as they are in the lines of the story. Each story is so well-crafted that I wondered if the "moment" was the inspiration for the story, as a grain of sand lies at the heart of a pearl, or if the "moment" arose organically during the writing of the story, the subconscious revelation of an artist whose hand seemingly has a mind of its own.

"The Whore's Child" is a rare book for me, in that as soon as I finished it I wanted to immediately go back and re-read it. It reminded me of what short fiction is supposed to be, and for that I owe Mr. Russo a great debt of gratitude.
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wariowariowario
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I've read several of Richard Russo's novels, but have never read short stories written by him.

However, after delving into this story collection, I was truly impressed. His ability to develop characters is equally remarkable in the short format as it is in his novels.

Russo's stories center around a diverse range of characters who are grappling with the challenges that come with growing older and maintaining relationships.

Most of his main characters are either older male authors or teenaged boys. Through their experiences, we gain insights into the complex emotions and struggles that people face as they navigate through life.

The stories are engaging, thought-provoking, and often humorous, making this collection a real pleasure to read.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-written fiction that explores the human condition.
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Atheist__Knight
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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4.5 These short stories will truly stand out in my experiences, leaving an indelible mark. They have caused me to deeply contemplate the complex web of motivations, reactions, consequences, and feelings that lie beneath and within the simplest of human experiences.

Russo is a master at creating characters that are so vivid and real. Later, you might find yourself saying, "I know this guy once who....." only to realize moments later, "No, I didn't--that was a character in a book!"

This reading experience had a truly perfect ending. I had intended to finish it on the airplane so that I could leave it in the seat-back pocket for another traveler's serendipitous find. As fate would have it, a passenger next to me peeked at the cover of my engaging read and said, "Russo? Is this a new one? I've read everything he's written and I've never even heard of this one. I love Russo.... I saw him speak in Syracuse...." I finished this collection within 4 minutes of landing and promptly handed it to her. It was an incredibly satisfying moment, knowing that the joy of this wonderful read would now be passed on to someone else.

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