Richard Russo is truly an American treasure.

His works have touched the hearts and minds of countless readers, and the title story of this collection, "The Whore's Child," is nothing short of remarkable.

It is simply one of the best short stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The story weaves a complex and engaging narrative that explores themes of identity, family, and the human condition.

Russo's writing is masterful, with his ability to create vivid characters and a richly detailed world that draws the reader in from the very first page.

The story's twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat, and the emotional depth and resonance of the ending leave a lasting impression.

"The Whore's Child" is a testament to Russo's talent as a writer and a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

I don't usually read short story collections. However, I've enjoyed his other books so very much that I decided to give this one a try.

And to my great delight, it turned out to be an absolute gem! Each story is like a little treasure, filled with unique characters, engaging plots, and beautiful writing.

I found myself completely immersed in the worlds he created, unable to put the book down.

The author has a real talent for bringing his stories to life, making you feel as if you are right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

I would highly recommend this short story collection to anyone, even if you don't usually like this genre. It's truly a wonderful read that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Not upbeat tales.

They are sort of slice-of-life stories, filled with a great deal of background details, yet lacking a clear future.

My spouse read the first story and found it extremely depressing. However, for me, it wasn't as depressing. But when considering an elderly person who was a child around the time of Jane Addams' "Hull House," the possibility of a sad childhood cannot be ignored.

I also read this author's "Empire Falls" and wasn't overly excited about it either. It was very wordy, with little action taking place. And I'm not a fan of thrillers; I just prefer some sort of movement in a story.

So there! This is my take on these works. While they may have their merits in terms of detailed descriptions and exploration of certain eras and themes, they don't quite hit the mark for me in terms of engaging storytelling and a sense of forward momentum.

I have always had a profound love for Russo's novels. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I also take great pleasure in his short stories.

Many of these short stories are set in Maine, and a significant number of them feature middle-aged characters or those who are even older. I firmly believe that Russo thinks these are the individuals with the most captivating stories to tell.

Among all his short stories, my two absolute favorites are "Monhegan Light" and "Joy Ride". These two stories have managed to touch my heart and leave a lasting impression.

The vivid descriptions and the deep exploration of the characters' emotions in these stories make them truly remarkable. Russo's ability to bring the settings and the characters to life is simply outstanding.

I look forward to reading more of his works and experiencing the wonderful world he creates through his words.

Richard Russo's forte undoubtedly lies within the realm of his novels, rather than short stories.

This doesn't imply that I didn't find enjoyment in this particular book.

He simply requires that ample time and space to unfold his richly detailed plots and fully develop his characters in the manner that we have grown to cherish.

In my opinion, the initial two stories within this volume stand out as the finest: "The Whore's Child" and "Monhegan Light."

Without a doubt, "Monhegan Light" emerged as my absolute favorite.

"Joy Ride" is also truly quite excellent.

Each of these stories offers a unique glimpse into Russo's creative mind and his ability to craft engaging narratives, even within the constraints of the short story format.

Despite his preference for the novel, these short stories still manage to showcase his talent and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Russo is truly one of my favorite authors. Before stumbling upon this collection of his short stories, I had already devoured a half dozen of his novels.

In the title story, the 'whore's child' is an elderly nun attending a writing class taught by an English professor. She has but one story to share: her own. “They are waiting for us to die,” she confessed. “Impatient of how we clutch to our miserable existence.”

The story set on Monhegan Light is equally captivating. A man married to an artist discovers that for 20 years, his deceased wife's summer vacations in Maine to paint involved a liaison with another man. The theme here is 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone or until someone takes it from you.'

In The Farther You Go, a father steps in when his daughter's marriage experiences an incident of abuse. He soon realizes his daughter's 'non-readiness for life.'

Joy Ride tells the tale of a boy whose parents' marriage is falling apart. His father is more dopey than abusive, and his mother clearly has borderline mental illness issues. The boy and his mother take off in the family car, fleeing Maine for California. They live with grandparents for a while, but the question remains: will they return?

Buoyancy follows an older retired couple who return to Martha's Vineyard for a vacation. The woman has had a breakdown but seems to be on the mend. Then, a setback occurs.

Poison is a rather odd story about two male authors. They grew up in the same old mill town and have been good friends since childhood. A new development in town - the reopening of the old polluting factory - causes a rift between them.

In The Mysteries of Linwood Hart, a dreamy kid plays baseball while grappling with the dissolution of his parents' marriage. They are old-fashioned Catholics, so they are only separated. Can they reconcile?

These are all good stories, and Russo proves to be just as adept a short story writer as he is a novelist, although I still have a soft spot for his novels.

Top photo of Monhegan Lighthouse in Maine from wikipedia

The author from prhspeakers.com

I truly believe that I am simply going to devour everything that this author has penned.

The short stories encompassed within this collection are so very close to attaining absolute perfection.

Each one seems to be crafted with such precision and care, as if the author has poured his heart and soul into every word.

The plots are engaging, the characters are vividly drawn, and the writing style is both captivating and enchanting.

It's as if I am being transported into a different world with each story, experiencing a range of emotions and perspectives.

I find myself completely immersed in the author's fictional universe, eager to explore every nook and cranny.

Overall, this collection has left a profound impression on me, and I can't wait to see what else this talented author has in store for us.

A great collection of short stories.

As always, there are some that are better than others. However, when looking at the collection as a whole, I think it's truly great.

Russo is exceptionally talented at writing about small town America. He brings his characters to life in a way that makes them seem like actual humans.

I could vividly imagine every single character, and I especially loved how flawed some of them were.

This collection has truly piqued my interest, and I now need to read more of his novels. So far, I've only read "Empire Falls."

I'm excited to explore more of Russo's work and see what other精彩的 stories and characters he has to offer.

I'm sure that each novel will be just as engaging and thought-provoking as this collection of short stories.

I can't wait to dive into his other works and continue my literary journey with him.

**Original Article**: This is a great place. The scenery is beautiful. People are friendly. I really like it here.

**Expanded Article**:

This is an extremely excellent place.

The scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful. The lush green mountains, the clear blue sky, and the colorful flowers all combine to form a picture-perfect landscape.

The people here are also very friendly. They always greet you with a warm smile and are willing to help you whenever you need it.

I truly have a deep affection for this place. It makes me feel so relaxed and happy.

Every time I come here, I am constantly amazed by its charm and beauty.

I hope that more people can have the opportunity to visit this wonderful place and experience its unique allure.

Richard Russo, who was once a writing teacher himself, commences his debut collection of short stories, "The Whore’s Child," in a familiar setting: the classroom. Sister Ursula, who is "nearly as big as a linebacker," plops herself down in the narrator's advanced writing workshop, uninvited and unregistered. Despite the professor's insistence that she write fiction - "In this class we actually prefer a well-told lie," he tells her - she submits several hefty installments of rock-pure memoir for the class's consideration.

She pats the narrator's hand, as one might pat the hand of a child. "Never you mind," she then assures him, adjusting her wimple for the journey home. "My whole life has been a lie."

"I'm sure you don't mean that," the narrator tells her.

But of course she does. Sister Ursula is constitutionally incapable of writing what is not true. On the other hand, she is equally incapable of seeing clearly what she writes - and this is what provides Russo's story, if not the nun's, the thrum of good fiction.

In a post-modern and un-Russo-like twist, "The Whore’s Child" is both the perfect short story and the blueprint for such a story. As the professor summarizes Sister Ursula's bitter and lonely take (he provides only her knife-edged first lines, like "It was my hatred that drew me deeper into the Church"), we also hear the class's response. It is in this unlikely arena, marked by PC angst and academic jargon, that Sister Ursula discovers a secret she has been hiding from herself her entire life.

Sister Ursula, we come to understand, is the ideal practitioner of the "well-told lie."

Russo's regular subject matter, it should be noted, is men, not nuns, sons, not sisters. Through five thick, summer-perfect novels, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Empire Falls," the author has explored, with wonderful humor and pathos, that great American, impotent male. From the down-and-out Sully in "Nobody’s Fool" to the hapless but good-hearted Miles in "Empire Falls," Russo's protagonists are mere shadows of the 1950s ideal they were raised on. Where their fathers lived in an age of straightforward, powerful men, they have reached middle age in a time of ironic self-contempt.

Read my full review here: http://bit.ly/2ekvxeA

Richard Russo has an extraordinary talent that makes you fall in love with every single character he writes.

His short stories are like little treasures, each one delivering a unique and captivating experience.

Whether it's a complex and flawed protagonist or a secondary character with a hidden depth, Russo brings them all to life with his masterful writing.

He has the ability to create characters that are so real and relatable that you can't help but become emotionally invested in their lives.

With each turn of the page, you find yourself drawn deeper into the world he has created, eager to see what will happen next to these beloved characters.

Richard Russo's short stories are a true delight, and once you start reading, you won't be able to put them down.

Another awesome book by one of my favorite writers.

I'm constantly amazed by Russo's seemingly effortless ability to combine the sometimes difficult truths of living with a compassionate and often humorous slant. His characters are often full of angst, brought on by their own disillusionment with their existence. They struggle with the meaning of life, the disappointments they've faced, and the uncertainties of the future.

However, comic twists frequently change the landscape. Just when you think the story is going to take a dark and depressing turn, Russo throws in a hilarious moment that lightens the mood and makes you see the situation from a different perspective.

Great stuff, all through his seven stories here. Each one is unique and engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love how Russo can make you laugh and cry at the same time, and how he can make you think about the deeper meaning of life while still entertaining you. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves good literature.