Eudora Welty is indeed a master of the miniature and one of the greatest short story writers in history. However, this book, despite the implications of its title, is not a "best of" anthology. Instead, these "selected" stories merely represent the contents of her first two short story collections.

The first collection, Curtain of Green, is a mixed bag. It consists of compact stories that seem to take pleasure in the (often violent and grotesque) oddities of the American South. They are similar to Flannery O'Connor's stories, but without the obsessions with religion and race, which are curiously absent from most of these stories. The volume contains her famous story, "A Worn Path," as well as numerous others that delight in their quirks and humor. Some feel a bit like literary geek shows, and a few are so odd and inscrutable that they are a little off-putting. Overall, though, this first collection is quite good.

The second collection, A Wide Net, contains more ambitious stories, some of which are fairly complex and relatively long. There are some excellent entries, but also some that are simply difficult to read. "First Love" is more elaborate than necessary, "A Still Moment" is so focused on symbols and archetypes that it comes across as rather stuffy, and "The Winds" succumbs to its own melodrama. The other stories are compelling, and "A Wide Net" is a highlight of the entire collection.

All in all, this book is a great resource for short story enthusiasts. However, reading the entire book cover to cover, as I did, may not be the recommended approach.

Dreary and often slightly surreal. This is the description that comes to mind when thinking about her works. There is no doubt that they are great literature. The way she weaves her stories, the unique settings she creates, and the complex characters she develops all contribute to the overall allure.

However, despite the obvious literary merit, I must admit that I did not enjoy her stories. Maybe it was the lack of a clear and straightforward plot that left me feeling lost. Or perhaps it was the overly dark and gloomy atmosphere that pervaded throughout, which made it difficult for me to connect with the narrative on an emotional level.

Nevertheless, I can still appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating these works. They are a testament to her talent and creativity as a writer. And while they may not be to my personal taste, I can understand why others might find them captivating and thought-provoking.

I have a deep affection for Welty's writing. However, I often find that while most of her stories possess a wonderful atmosphere, they sometimes lack sufficient action or a well-developed plot.

For instance, "The Hitch-Hikers" and "Death Of a Traveling Salesman" have surreal noir plots and dream sequence suspense, which do add an element of movement. But still, one can't help but feel that more could have been done in terms of the overall narrative.

"The Wide Net" had a certain quality that reminded me of "Lonesome Dove". It had a sense of the vastness and the unknown, which was quite captivating.

Overall, Welty's writing is rich and evocative, but I believe there is room for improvement in terms of creating more engaging and dynamic plots.

A wonderful collection indeed!

Welty's prose is truly gorgeous, like a beautiful tapestry of words. Her stories are complex, filled with twists and turns that sometimes make them difficult to follow. Her gaze is direct and unflinching, which can be scary in some of the darker and more brooding stories. However, there are also those that are light, yet still full of a unique black humour.

Shades of Flannery O'Connor can be seen weaving through many of the lives she depicts. At times, I had to skip a few pages here and there because the content was just way too confronting and uncomfortable.

Despite this, I absolutely love the way she writes. The way she strings her sentences together is like a masterful composer creating a symphony. The words she uses are carefully chosen, adding depth and nuance to her stories. And the dialogue is simply amazing, bringing the characters to life in the most vivid way.

But there is always this little feeling of unease that lingers, perhaps because of the raw and honest nature of her work. It makes me think and reflect, and that's what makes her writing so special.

Eudora Welty has an extraordinary talent for painting a vivid picture of both the characters and the room.

Her descriptions are so detailed and immersive that they transport you right into the heart of the Old South.

As you read her stories, you can almost hear her voice, as if she is right there beside you, sharing her tales.

I have always been a big fan of her stories, especially those that were told on NPR.

The way she weaves together the lives of her characters, the setting, and the emotions is truly remarkable.

It's as if she has created a world of her own, one that you can easily get lost in.

Her writing style is unique, with a rich use of language and a keen eye for detail.

Whether it's the way a character dresses, the expression on their face, or the atmosphere of the room, Welty brings it all to life on the page.

Reading her stories is like taking a journey back in time, experiencing the Old South through the eyes of a master storyteller.

Her writing indeed showcases lovely lyrical turns, which can be quite enchanting at times.

However, she is a product of her white Southern era, which was unfortunately marred by racism. This aspect makes it rather difficult to fully enjoy her works. It's more like a 2.5-star experience.

The snippets from her writing paint vivid pictures. For instance, "It was dark and vague outside. The storm had rolled away to faintness like a wagon crossing a bridge." (p.40) This description creates a sense of mystery and the aftermath of a powerful event.

"People standing in the fields now and then, or on top of the haystacks, had been too far away, looking like leaning sticks or weeds, turning a little at the solitary rattle of his car across their countryside, watching the pale sobered winter dust where it chunked out behind like big winter squashes down the road." (p. 206) This passage offers a detailed and almost cinematic view of the rural scene.

"Come stand in my heart, whoever you are, and a whole river would cover your feet and rise higher and take your knees in whirlpools, and draw you down to itself, your whole body, your heart too." (p. 214) Here, the author uses beautiful and passionate language to express deep emotions.

"But in the west the sun shone with such a violence that in an illumination like a long-prolonged glare of lightning the heavens looked black and white; all color left the world, the goldenness of everything was like a memory, and only heat, a kind of glamor and oppression, lay on their heads." (p. 303) This description captures the intensity and harshness of the western sun.

"It was in a bar, a quiet little hole in the wall. It was four o'clock in the afternoon. Beyond the open door the rain fell, the heavy color of the sea, in air where the sunlight was still suspended. Its watery reflection lighted the room, as a room might have lighted a mouse-hole. It was in New Orleans." (p. 369) This passage sets a moody and atmospheric scene in a specific location.

"But now she was like a house with all its rooms dark from the beginning, and someone would have to go slowly from room to room, slowly and darkly, leaving each one lighted behind, before going to the next." (p. 421) This final quote uses a powerful metaphor to describe a person's state of being.

Read 5 short, extremely short, stories for a book discussion.

Although I do recognize Welty's remarkable talents as a writer, I simply fail to grasp the essence or the point of these stories.

Perhaps, in fact, there isn't really a specific point to them at all.

I must confess that listening to the subsequent discussion actually made me reflect more deeply on the stories.

It made me realize that sometimes, the meaning of a story might not be immediately obvious and that through the exchange of ideas and perspectives in a discussion, one can gain new insights and interpretations.

The different viewpoints expressed by others can open up new ways of looking at the stories and help to uncover hidden layers of meaning that might have otherwise remained unnoticed.

So, even though I initially struggled to understand the stories, the book discussion proved to be a valuable experience that enhanced my appreciation and understanding of Welty's works.

I started reading these stories years ago. It was a time when I was eager to explore different literary works.

The other day, I happened to come across the book again and decided to pull it down and read some more. As I delved into the pages, I found that the stories were rather spotty.

Some of them truly tugged at the heartstrings with their beautiful and sensitive imagery. They painted vivid pictures in my mind and made me feel a range of emotions.

However, others just didn't reach me at all. They seemed flat and uninteresting, failing to capture my attention or engage my imagination.

Maybe, if I live long enough and have more life experiences, I'll try reading them again. I'm curious to see if my perspective will change.

BTW, I have to admit that I really liked the stories that were originally in "A Curtain of Green". They had a certain charm and depth that made them stand out.

I look forward to exploring more of Eudora Welty's works in the future.

Every story is so wonderfully perfect that it truly captivates my heart and mind.

After reading each one, I find myself having to walk away and take a moment to savor it.

The details, the emotions, and the overall essence of the story linger in my thoughts, making it impossible for me to immediately move on to the next one.

I need to let the beauty and significance of the story soak in, to truly appreciate all that it has to offer.

It's like a delicious meal that I want to enjoy slowly, savoring each bite and relishing in the flavors.

Only after I have fully digested and absorbed one story can I begin the next, ready to embark on another journey of wonder and discovery.

These stories have a magical quality that keeps me coming back for more, and I am grateful for the opportunity to experience them.

Rereading this after many years,

what a joy it is to know what one good writer could do.

Judging from the introduction, this collection preceded any novels written by Welty.

It is truly remarkable to see the early works of a talented author.

The stories in this collection likely showcase Welty's budding writing style and her ability to create engaging and vivid characters.

Each piece may offer a unique glimpse into different aspects of life, perhaps exploring themes such as love, loss, and human nature.

As we read through these works, we can appreciate the evolution of Welty's writing and how it laid the foundation for her later novels.

This collection serves as a valuable testament to her early talent and creativity, and it is a pleasure to discover or rediscover these wonderful stories.

I did not read all the short stories.

However, I truly enjoyed her voice as she narrated them.

The way she spoke allowed me to vividly visualize what she was saying, which was quite remarkable.

Yet, as I finished some of the stories, I found myself thinking, "Now what was the point of that story?"

Maybe there was no specific point after all.

Perhaps it was just a random snapshot of someone's life, capturing a moment in time without a defined purpose.

But then again, who am I to say?

Maybe the beauty of these stories lies precisely in their ambiguity, leaving room for the reader's interpretation and imagination.

Each story could potentially mean something different to every individual who reads or listens to it.

So, even though I may not always understand the intended point of a story, I can still appreciate the artistry and the unique perspective it offers.

I had never delved into the works of Eudora Welty, apart from "Why I Live at the P.O", which I believe I read during my freshman year in high school. Over the years, I have come across numerous mentions and readings about her, lauding her greatness.

I must admit, she was truly a masterful short story writer. She can be placed among the greats, as she possessed all the necessary skills. Her deft characterization brought the characters to life, her dramatic sense added excitement, and her excellent understanding of story architecture ensured a well-structured narrative. All the classic elements were there.

However, what I particularly appreciate about her is the genuine Southern Gothic flavor she presents. She vividly描绘s the small-town and rural life in Mississippi during the thirties and forties. It's as if she shouts it out in capital letters. Her stories are filled with a diverse cast of characters, including circus freaks, matrons, families, ex-slaves, rich people, and a host of supporting players. Her ear for dialog is remarkable, her observations are acute, and her descriptions are vivid. This book is truly fantastic, and I'm eager to explore her novels next.