I had never delved into any of Eudora Welty's works before, and I knew it was high time I corrected this oversight.

Now that I have, I have come to truly understand the reason behind Welty's great acclaim. Her writing possesses a simplicity and elegance that is truly captivating.

However, despite this newfound appreciation, I couldn't help but feel a certain detachment towards the stories in this particular collection. While I admired the craftsmanship and artistry on display, I didn't find myself deeply emotionally invested in the narratives.

Perhaps it was due to my own lack of familiarity with the themes or settings, or maybe it was simply a matter of personal taste. Nevertheless, I am still glad to have discovered Welty's writing and look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

Who knows, maybe with further reading, I will find that special connection that eluded me this time around.

Welty's stories are truly remarkable. They possess a beauty that is both captivating and often disturbing. However, what makes them truly stand out is their refreshingly real nature. Her works are filled with symbols and thought-provoking elements that make the reader reflect deeply.

Her prose is like poetry, flowing smoothly and beautifully. The descriptions she uses are fresh and bright, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. What's more, her descriptions are often totally unexpected, yet they are exactly appropriate, adding an element of surprise and enhancing the overall impact of the story.

This collection of her stories is truly fantastic. It offers a unique and engaging reading experience that will leave the reader both entertained and enlightened. Whether you are a fan of short stories or simply looking for something new and different to read, Welty's collection is definitely worth checking out.

Welty's sense of the absurd truly resounds loudly in this context. Her writing is robust and powerful, and her sense of humor serves as a fundamental starting point in a significant portion of her works. Just like the Addams Family, her humor encounters the absurd and the gothic South of 70 years ago. It creates a unique and captivating atmosphere that draws readers in and keeps them engaged. Her ability to blend these elements seamlessly is a testament to her remarkable writing skills. The absurdities she presents are not only entertaining but also offer a deeper exploration of the human condition and the idiosyncrasies of the South during that era. Through her humorous lens, we can catch a glimpse of the strange and wonderful world that Welty has created, filled with unforgettable characters and situations that leave a lasting impression.

These short stories truly opened my eyes.

I took great delight in several of them due to their humor, which brought a smile to my face. However, some of them were rather strange and perplexing, possessing a distinct Flannery O'Connor-esque quality.

For a fan of Welty, this collection is of great value as it is her very first published book.

Here, one can detect the inklings of the brilliance that was yet to come.

It's like catching a glimpse of a budding talent on the verge of blooming into something truly remarkable.

The stories, with their unique blend of styles and themes, offer a fascinating insight into Welty's early literary explorations.

Each one seems to be a stepping stone towards the masterpieces she would later create.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for anyone interested in the works of Eudora Welty or in the world of short story literature in general.

A Curtain of Green and Other Stories is Eudora Welty's remarkable debut, first published in 1941. This collection of short fiction not only marks the start of her long and distinguished literary career but also offers readers a diverse range of captivating tales.

\\tI have reread and taught this book several times, and each encounter feels like reuniting with an old friend. The outstanding nature of these stories means that I discover new elements with every reading. The subject matter is incredibly diverse, including a former freak-show worker, a jazz musician dealing with a mysterious wife, and an elderly grandmother's arduous journey for medicine. After reading, it's clear that Welty could write about almost any conceivable topic.

\\tHumor is a prominent feature in several stories. In "The Petrified Man," Mrs. Fletcher's concern with appearances leads to humorous situations. The story unfolds in a beauty parlor through dialog, with Mrs. Fletcher and Leota discussing Mrs. Pike. Mrs. Fletcher views Mrs. Pike as a threat, while Mrs. Pike welcomes differences. Their contrasting opinions form the basis of much of the story's humor. Mrs. Pike's identification of the petrified man as an imposter adds another layer of intrigue.

\\tSimilarly, in "Why I Live at the P.O.," Sister's actions are both over-the-top and humorous. Stella-Ronda's return threatens Sister's security, and her aggression stems from feeling invisible. Welty uses humor to raise questions about Sister's character, such as her awareness of her own contentious nature and her use of humor as a defense mechanism.

\\tOverall, A Curtain of Green and Other Stories is a collection that both entertains and disturbs. The memorable characters and influential stories make it a must-read for anyone interested in early twentieth-century fiction.

My second full collection of Welty's stories is truly a remarkable one.

Interestingly, although this was her first collection, it showcases the evolution of her writing over time.

The early stories in this collection are more eclectic, as if she was experimenting with a plethora of crazy ideas to see what would stick.

There is a significant amount of death depicted in these stories - stabbings, suicide, heart attacks, and even a tree falling on a car. It makes for a dark and disturbing read.

However, my favorite stories happen to be the ones that are most anthologized: "Petrified Man," "Why I live at the P.O.," "Powerhouse," and "A Worn Path." These are without a doubt masterpieces.

I'm not at all mad that they are the most read among all the stories in A Curtain of Green.

In fact, I'm excited to move on to The Golden Apples and explore more of Welty's wonderful writing.

I have an unwavering love for Eudora Welty.

That's truly all I can manage to express. Her sense of humor is nothing short of remarkable, and her storytelling prowess is simply perfect.

I often find myself forgetting just how sinister she can sometimes be, yet that's precisely what I enjoy about her works.

This particular collection of stories is truly a gem. It showcases her unique talent and ability to captivate readers with her vivid characters and engaging plots.

Each story is a world unto itself, filled with rich details and emotions that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

Whether it's a lighthearted tale or a more intense and dark one, Eudora Welty always manages to leave a lasting impression.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to experience the magic of Eudora Welty's writing.

Each story has approximately 80% description of landscapes and 20% of plot. I have a lot of laziness for this...

The mallows were closing their red eyes...
A fountain gushing out of a hollow trunk...
The road went down, continued to go down...
A slender and tall tree...

The blue sky... The sunset... The moon...
The birds... The bees...
The days... The nights...
The pears... The figs...
The landscapes described here are truly enchanting. The mallows with their red eyes closing seem to add a touch of mystery. The fountain irrupting from the hollow trunk is a vivid and unexpected image. The continuous descent of the road gives a sense of a never-ending journey. The slender and tall tree stands as a silent witness to all that unfolds. The blue sky, the beautiful sunset, and the moon create a magical backdrop. The presence of the birds and bees adds a lively element to the scene. The alternating days and nights bring a rhythm to the story. And the mention of the pears and figs gives a hint of the bountiful nature that surrounds. All these details combine to paint a picture that is both captivating and full of charm.

I first encountered Welty during my college days in an introductory American Lit class. Specifically, I read “A Petrified Man” from this collection, and it has remained one of my all-time favorite stories. It is a hilarious, strange, and somewhat crass tale. Its irreverence is just perfect.

Other stories in this collection also have their own unique charms. The standouts include “A Petrified Man,” “Why I live at the P.O.,” “Old Mr. Marblehall,” “Powerhouse,” and “A Worn Path.”

This collection is not a cohesive one in the traditional sense. The stories don't have to be read together or in any particular order. Welty published about as many story collections as novels, and she hit the right note in American literary history to succeed in this way. These stories, from the early 1940s, feel much more polished and modern than their era. Especially “A Petrified Man” and “Powerhouse” give the sense that the author is tapping into a more liberal and libertine future that awaited American culture in the decades to come. “Powerhouse” is about a Jazz star who behaves in a rollicking and jiving manner, similar to how rock stars would in the following decades. And “Petrified Man” seems to predict the entire career of Flannery O’Connor.

Here is an excerpt from my new favorite story in this short collection:

“The son is the worst of all. Mr. and Mrs. Marblehall had a child! When both of them were terribly old, they had this little, amazing, fascinating son. You can see how people are taken aback, how they jerk and throw up their hands every time they so much as think it. At least, Mr. Marblehall sees them. He thinks Natchez people do nothing themselves, and really, most of them have done or could do the same thing. This son is six years old now. Close up, he has a monkey look, a very penetrating look. He has very sparse Japanese hair, tiny little pearly teeth, long little wilted fingers. Every day he is slowly and expensively dressed and taken to the Catholic school. He looks quietly and maliciously absurd, out walking with old Mr. Marblehall or old Mrs. Marblehall, placing his small booted foot on a little green worm, while they stop and wait on him. Everybody passing by thinks that he looks quite as if he thinks his parents had him just to show they could. You see, it becomes complicated, full of vindictiveness.”

This is a truly remarkable collection of short stories.

Although some of them might give the impression of being a bit provincial, they still possess a certain charm and allure.

One particular story that stands out for me is "The Key". It has become one of my all-time favorites.

The way the author weaves the plot and develops the characters in this story is simply masterful.

The story takes you on a journey through the minds and lives of the characters, making you feel as if you are right there with them.

It has a unique blend of mystery, suspense, and emotion that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Overall, this collection of short stories is a must-read for anyone who enjoys good literature.

Despite the few stories that may seem provincial, the majority of them are filled with creativity, depth, and a touch of magic.

It is a testament to the author's talent and ability to create captivating tales that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

I firmly believe that this is Eudora Welty's inaugural collection of short stories, which was initially published in 1941.

There is a remarkable diversity within these pages, with quite a number of stories covering a very wide range of themes and settings. I have a deep appreciation for the writing style.

Many of the stories contain great observations that offer unique insights into the human condition. Some of the tales are rather bizarre, and there appears to be an abundance of simple-minded characters.

As I delved deeper into these stories, the effect of the bizarre strangeness seemed to accumulate. Virtually every story has a touch of the strange about it.

A few of the stories, in and of themselves, were rather uninteresting to me. However, within them, there were still sparkling bits of language and vivid settings.

The culture depicted in these pages is completely foreign to me, a boy from California. I am removed from both the time period and the geographical location in which these stories are set.

This must be at least partly due to my own lack of experiences. Of course, some of the situations are universal, but the presentation here is not what I am accustomed to.

So, in a nutshell, the two-bit summary is this: The writing is great, and the stories are strange and quirky. It is worth a read, but it's not really my cup of tea.

Eudora Welty is truly a remarkable writer who never fails to satisfy her readers.

I have to admit that I usually have a tendency to dislike descriptive passages in literature. However, when it comes to the descriptions crafted by Eudora Welty, it's an entirely different story.

Her writing is so exquisite that I find myself reading and savoring every single word. It's as if she chooses her words with the precision and artistry of a poet.

Each description seems to paint a vivid picture in my mind, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the world she has created.

Whether it's the description of a character, a setting, or an emotion, Welty's words have the power to bring the story to life in the most captivating way.

She has a unique ability to make the ordinary seem extraordinary and to make the reader feel as if they are right there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

It's no wonder that Eudora Welty is considered one of the greatest writers of our time. Her work is a true testament to the beauty and power of language.