Welty's talent is truly remarkable, as she showcases an incredible range in her work. This collection is a treasure trove of stories, encompassing all kinds of themes and genres, and each one is of the highest quality. Despite the diversity of these different stories, they all share that unique Welty voice that makes her writing so instantly recognizable. Her writing is extremely honest, delving deep into the human experience and exploring the complex emotions and relationships of her characters. The characters themselves are amazingly vivid, leaping off the page and coming to life in the reader's imagination. The descriptions are equally detailed and evocative, painting a picture in the reader's mind that is both beautiful and haunting. This collection is definitely not one to miss, as it offers a masterclass in the art of storytelling.

I didn't have much interest in these stories.

The endings were extremely abrupt, which took me completely by surprise and they were never conclusive.

I gave it a 3 because the descriptions were truly remarkable.

The stories seemed to me as if someone was telling me the dream they had the previous night; disjointed events that didn't fit together and ultimately made no sense.

Perhaps it's just my perception.

I really liked her writing style, but it was the content that didn't appeal to me.

In fact, I didn't even manage to finish all the stories.

I found myself losing interest as I read along, despite the beautiful language she used.

It's a pity because I think she has great potential as a writer, but the stories themselves lacked the coherence and depth that I was looking for.

Maybe with more practice and refinement, her future works will be more engaging and satisfying.

A Curtain of Green truly doesn't give the impression of being the initial works of a fledgling writer. With the exception of a few that are found in anthologies (such as the remarkable "Why I Live at the P.O." and "Death of a Traveling Salesman," both included here), this marks my first encounter with her short stories. I am astounded that it has taken me this long to discover her. (May 10, 2008)

The Wide Net is yet another outstanding collection. Every story, save one (which is set in a bar in New Orleans), is situated in and around the Natchez Trace. It includes several extremely interesting ones featuring historical figures as characters (Aaron Burr in one, Audubon in another, along with real lesser-known individuals) and another (possibly my personal favorite) that incorporates Greek mythological elements and a Greek chorus for the contemporary tale of the town "Queen," a Hera-like shrew. The final story is deeply moving. (July 23, 2011)

Dense and rich in allusions, The Golden Apples is a tour de force. It is a short-story cycle that can be debated infinitely, with its references to mythology, folklore, the nature of time and gender, the idea of escaping time and gender, and so much more. Perhaps I wasn't always certain of what Welty was aiming for while in the middle of a story, but by the conclusion, I was in awe of her brilliance. (July 6, 2012)

Although perhaps not the masterpiece that the previous collection is, The Bride of Innisfallen is still the work of a master storyteller. The themes that unite this collection might be somewhat subtle, but they are present, and the style of many of the stories is quite modern. Welty's command of dialogue and turns of phrase is flawless. (July 23, 2012)

The two 'uncollected stories' (written in the early 60's) that conclude this volume convey far more than they might appear to, and serve as further proof of Welty's sharp eye, now focused on the changing times.

I read this book on and off for like 5 months, so I feel like I should say some things.

Welty is an undeniably great writer. Place and setting are emphasized so much in her writing that you really do feel like you’re breathing the same air as her characters. It's as if she has the magical ability to transport the readers right into the heart of the story, making them experience every nuance of the environment.

Most of the time though, this means that not a whole lot happens. And what does happen is usually buried far beneath the subtext. This can make the reading experience a bit of a challenge for those who are used to fast-paced and action-packed stories. Definitely do not read this if you’re looking for an exciting page-turner or anything like that.

That being said there are a select few that I would describe as somewhat exciting, but those are sort of exceptions. As far as my personal enjoyment goes, I REALLY loved some of the stories. They had a certain charm and depth that kept me engaged from start to finish. But quite a few were absolute slogs. They seemed to drag on and on without much happening, making it a bit of a struggle to get through them.

Though, even when her stories are boring (they usually are) they’re still pretty enjoyable most of the time. It’s one of those cases where even if I’m not into the story, it’s more due to me and my preferences than her lacking skill as a writer. Her writing is so rich and beautiful that it can still captivate the reader, even when the plot is not particularly thrilling.

I’d had this weighty book in my to be read pile for a few years. I’d started it, but then became easily distracted by other books. However, in 2017, I became truly determined to finish this book, and I’m glad to say that the goal was successfully met.

Several years ago, I took a writing class. The teacher made an interesting comment that not all writers have the ability to write short stories. It requires a specific style and talent to be able to pull off a great story in just a few pages. I didn’t fully understand this until I read “The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty”. As I delved into this collection of short stories, I closely studied Welty’s style. She has a remarkable way of packing a powerful punch right in the first sentence or paragraph. She doesn’t wait until later to build up the excitement for the storytelling. I also noticed an even pace throughout all the stories. They are neither rushed nor too slow. Instead, they have a steady and engaging rhythm. I even jokingly wondered if she listened to a metronome while writing. The characters in her stories come to life right from the start. They are of utmost importance to the overall narrative and are not just mere props or fill-ins. Moreover, the stories have a deep meaning and carry a message for the reader.

This collection includes a total of 41 stories, written between 1941 and 1966. The stories offer a fascinating view of the society and culture of the south during the period just before the civil rights era. The last two chapters were written with Medgar Evers and the violence during a demonstration in mind. The stories cover a wide range of themes and settings, including a strained mother and daughter relationship, people at a train station, Mrs. Larkin and her garden, and a couple who meet in New Orleans.

My absolute favorite story in this collection is “No Place For You, My Love”. The setting is a hot and sticky Sunday afternoon in summer, in New Orleans, Louisiana. A couple sees each other at a luncheon party. He invites her to take a drive south, away from the city, just to see how far the road will take them. They spend the entire day together. I found myself wondering if the insects were accompanying them like an invading army or maybe they were being chaperoned. I read this story twice. The second time, I discovered that I had missed some details. Welty uses the voices of the two characters, including their thoughts, and also pans out to tell the story from her own perspective. The man sees something special in the woman. He has been observing her dress, hat, hair, and mannerisms. Their drive down south is a wonderful sightseeing experience, with a focus on everything from the large-scale view of what they see to the smallest details. Emphasis is placed on the sun, heat, wind, insects, speed of the car, preconceived thoughts, the road itself, and the lone bar at the end of the road. My favorite lines from the entire book are in this story: “A thing is incredible, if ever, only after it is told - returned to the world it came out of. For their different reasons, he thought, neither of them would tell this (unless something was dragged out of them): that, strangers, they had ridden down into a strange land together and were getting safely back - by a slight margin, perhaps, but margin enough.” (Page 480) I truly loved this story. It’s about two strangers who, by chance, spend a day together. They are both lonely people who manage to connect. In later years, it’s likely that neither of them told anyone about this memorable day. I don’t view this story as simply romantic and worthy of a heavy sigh. Instead, I believe it’s a memorable story because it is filled with the raw reality of humanity. Despite living in a world full of people, some individuals still feel lonely and reach out, hoping that someone will fill that empty void in their lives.

Short stories are truly a challenge to rate. Some of them I absolutely adored, while others failed to capture my interest to the same extent.

However, one thing that is abundantly clear is that Eudora Welty is an outstanding writer. Her talent for creating a vivid setting and presenting fully developed characters within just a few pages is truly remarkable.

Similar to her fellow Mississippi writer Flannery O'Connor, there is nothing insubstantial or frivolous about Welty's short stories. These are works that demand your time and attention.

Take your time and slowly savor each one. You will discover that this woman is a master of the craft of writing. Her stories are rich in detail, emotion, and depth, offering a unique and unforgettable reading experience.

Whether you are a fan of short stories or simply looking for a new and engaging author to explore, Eudora Welty is definitely worth your time.

It only took me five months to read this beastly beauty.

It was truly worth it. And although I have a penchant for short stories, I found myself slowing down when faced with over 600 pages of them.

Of course, the book is simply incredible: sad, wonderful, and [awe-inspiring when it comes to describing the masters of the craft].

But this is an anthology, a compilation of a lifetime of work.

And it will be a long time before I attempt something quite as auspicious.

I wish I had read her in pieces, a collection at a time.

I tried doing something similar, finishing each collection gathered in the book and then reading a different book.

But that completely zapped my momentum.

The opposite approach, reading too many in a row, made the stories, characters, plotlines, and timelines all run together.

I understand that this is my shortcoming, but I suspect it may be the same for others as well.

My habit is that as a long-form reader who dabbles in poetry, short stories, and essays, I can sustain rapid code-switching attention for about 400 pages.

It's like trying to train your brain to multitask despite knowing that such a strategy only leads to fatigue.

I am excited to read "The Optimist's Daughter" soon.

I know this is classic American literature.

My 3-star rating is because I can't say I enjoyed it as much as many other books I have read.

I picked this book because I have a bit of enthusiasm for learning about the deep South.

I learned that Welty was from Mississippi, so I picked this tome.

I expected to read about the food, the customs, the locale, the geography, and maybe a little true history mixed in there.

What I got was Welty's description of human behavior and nature, be it Southern, or otherwise.

The majority of it was southern. There were a couple of otherwise.

I think that the flavor I got from this book will be a small building block of knowledge of the South, which may help me understand some of the other reading I intend to do.

And yes, I know I should read Faulkner. I have two books lined up of his for future reading.

If you like reading about human behavior, mostly of women from the South, then I think you might enjoy this book.

If you want fast action, intrigue, drama, then maybe not.

Overall, this book offers a unique perspective on the South and its people, but it may not be for everyone. It requires a patient and open mind to truly appreciate the subtleties of Welty's writing. However, for those who are interested in exploring the rich tapestry of Southern culture and human nature, it can be a rewarding read.

It was most likely a blunder to take on all of Eudora Welty's short stories simultaneously!

Particularly since I have difficulties with short stories even when they are at their finest. I believe that I would have had a more profound appreciation for her work had I read one collection at a time.

Nonetheless, I adored the elegance of her writing, even when I wasn't completely comprehending the meaning of the story. I will definitely return to some of the stories again.

My favorite was "The Bride of the Innisfallen." Her writing is so adept at evoking the places in the South that she knew so well.

She reveals the nuances and contradictions of that society, both the good and the bad, and the subtleties of the dialect. The settings - the swamps, the flower gardens, the rain, the dirt roadshows - are themselves vivid characters in the stories.

I am intrigued by the idea of reading her novels and look forward to exploring more of her literary world.

Buh - lich! Awful!

This is NOT Flannery, or Faulkner. It is a perfect example of what "Southern writing" turns into when one doesn't know what they're doing.

Despair, cruelty, wretchedness, misery, hopelessness... Yuk! It's so unappealing.

Save this for those days when you've made the extreme decision to commit suicide.

It seems to lack the depth and artistry that true Southern writing is known for.

Instead of evoking emotions in a meaningful way, it just piles on the negative and depressing elements.

One would hope for something more engaging and thought-provoking from this kind of literature.

But unfortunately, this falls far short of expectations.

It's a disappointment and makes one question the value of such writing.

Maybe there are better examples of Southern writing out there that can truly capture the essence and spirit of the region.

Until then, this piece serves as a reminder of what not to do in the world of literature.

A rich buffet of southern cooking awaits, presenting a tantalizing array of flavors and dishes. It is truly a feast for the senses, with each offering being so delicious that it can almost be overwhelming to read about them one after another.

She, this wonderful example of southern cuisine, is the very standard by which all others are measured. Her cooking is so exceptional and of such high quality that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to top.

From the succulent fried chicken to the creamy macaroni and cheese, every dish on this buffet tells a story of tradition and passion. The rich gravy, the perfectly seasoned vegetables, and the decadent desserts all combine to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Whether you are a lover of southern cooking or simply someone who appreciates good food, this buffet is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you longing for more.

Having cut my literary teeth on Flannery O'Connor, I pshawed "Miss Eudora" whenever she entered the conversation regarding short story writers. I made the assumption (without having actually read her, mind you) that she wrote polite little stories of Southern manners that didn't belong on the same shelf with Flannery. I freely admit now that such an attitude belonged to an ignoramus of embarrassingly shallow depths. It took just one story, "The Petrified Man," to straighten me out. In fact, her entire first collection, A Curtain of Green, is as tough as anything Hemingway produced in his stories. And I dare say, she has more range than Hemingway and O'Connor. (O'Connor can seem a trifle deterministic and predictable over the course of several stories in comparison.) Keela, the Outcast Indian Maiden; The Hitch-Hikers (which makes a nice companion with O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find), A Curtain of Green, Clytie, and Powerhouse have a wry toughness and compassion that I've not encountered elsewhere. (On the other hand, Why I Live at the PO and A Worn Path, stories that get anthologized ad nauseum, are lesser works, in my opinion.)

Over the course of her career, Welty's stories become more lyrical and ambiguous. And while I have favorites from all points of her output, nothing can top one of her final stories, No Place for You, My Love, in probing the mysteries that govern the human heart. It ranks up there with Melville's "Barleby the Scrivener," Hemingway's "Big Two-Hearted River," O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find," and Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," as one of the greatest of American short stories. This entire collection confirms Borges' statement that "Unlike the novel, the short story may be, for all purposes, essential."