I read Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk a few years ago and was completely enamored with it. The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the writing was superb. Recently, I finished Beautiful Country Born Again, and I have to say that it is just as brilliant. If you, like me, find Trump's America to be distressing, then this book will really resonate with you.

I'm not generally a big reader of short stories, but Ben Fountain's writing in these collections is wonderful. The stories are filled with intrigue and meaning, and the characters are complex and believable. It's clear that Fountain is a master of his craft.

Such good writing

I can't wait to see what else Ben Fountain has in store for us. His books are a must-read for anyone who loves great literature. Whether you're interested in exploring the human condition, or simply looking for a good story, you won't be disappointed with his work.

What lies at the very root of the decisions we make, whether they are moral or not, has always been a captivating wonderment for me. What exactly leads us in one particular direction and not another? What complex processes of justification do we sift through in order to come to terms with and accept the consequences of our choices?

This appears to be precisely what is at the core of Ben Fountain's book of short stories, "Brief Encounters With Che Guevara". Within its pages are eight truly captivating stories of people, sometimes in far-off foreign lands, who find themselves having to make decisions between right and wrong. And these decisions are not nearly as straightforward and clear as we might like to believe they are. I truly appreciated how Fountain challenges the reader to grapple with the very same issues that these characters are dealing with, as if we were right there beside them, offering our consultation. The beauty of fiction lies in the fact that it has the power to open our eyes to many of the matters of contention that we may also have in our own lives. I would highly recommend this book for those who appreciate such thought-provoking works or for those who need to gain a better understanding that life is often a collection of nuanced and complex choices.

**"An In-depth Look at 'Brief Encounters with Che Guevara'"**

Che Guevara's philosophy looms large in these stories, even though he only makes fleeting appearances. The moral dilemmas presented by Fountain are complex and thought-provoking. The characters often find themselves in situations where their choices have far-reaching consequences.

”…I had no idea God and the Devil live so close together. They’re neighbors, in fact, their houses are right beside each other, and sometimes when they’re sitting around with nothing to do they play cards, just as a way to pass the time. But they never wager money—what good is money to them? No, it only souls they’re interested in…[Che Guevara]”

The first collection of stories by Fountain received a great deal of attention in 2007, as did his subsequent novel. His writing style is clear and unadorned, yet his descriptions of locations are vivid and imaginative. He explores a wide range of settings, with a particular focus on Haiti.

The stories in this collection highlight the experiences of displaced persons facing the world's problems. From a woman sharing her husband with his dreams to a peacekeeper in Haiti trying to preserve cultural heritage, the characters are diverse and engaging.

The final story in the collection, set in the nineteenth-early twentieth centuries, stands out for its different tone and language. It may offer insights into the author's views on the moral dilemmas presented in the other stories.

Overall, this collection is a powerful read that challenges our assumptions and makes us think about the world around us. It is well worth a second (or third) reading, and I highly recommend it.

A rather strange collection of short stories has emerged, centering around interesting expats who are predominantly based in third world countries, with Haiti being among them. The writing style is quite nice, and I particularly liked the fact that the stories do not have traditional "resolutions". This gives them an air of mystery and leaves room for the reader's own interpretation.

However, the last story in the collection didn't seem to quite fit the overall theme. It had a different tone and feel compared to the others. Nevertheless, I chose to read it anyway, out of curiosity and a desire to explore the full range of the author's work.

Despite this minor drawback, the collection as a whole offers a unique and engaging look into the lives of expats in often overlooked parts of the world. It provides a window into their experiences, challenges, and the relationships they form.

Overall, it's an interesting read that I would recommend to those who enjoy short stories with a touch of the unexpected.

These are all truly remarkable stories.

I had the impression that the last one didn't quite align with the theme as neatly as the others.

There is a prevalent overarching theme of ethical dilemmas that the characters encounter.

These dilemmas typically stem from illegal activity or the complex problem of maneuvering through power dynamics and corruption.

The stories are illuminated by a sense of irony as the characters grapple with their circumstances.

Often, they make choices that are either unexpected or filled with internal conflict.

This adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the narratives, making them not only engaging but also thought-provoking.

It forces the reader to consider the various moral and ethical implications of the characters' actions and decisions.

Overall, these stories offer a fascinating exploration of the human condition within the context of challenging ethical situations.

Super freaking good. It's more like 4.5 than 4.

Ben Fountain had managed to evade my attention until his 2023 novel Devil Makes Three. While I'm glad I read that one, the entire book, unfortunately, never quite lived up to its first 100 gangbusters pages for me.

This short story collection, on the other hand, truly benefits from the shorter duration of each piece. It allows Fountain to jam-pack each one with an equal amount of lyrical beauty and narrative thrills, often driven by well-drawn protagonists who make nearly impossible decisions in barely tenable environments.

When it comes to the winners or highlights, I would point to "Asian Tiger". In this story, a layabout golf coach's attempts to more actively participate in his life embed him dangerously deep inside Myanmar's political machinations. Another great one is "The Lion's Mouth", where a do-gooder from the Peace Corps/NGO circuit is tempted to do-gooder-faster with a foray into the deeply morally dubious diamond trade.

If I were forced to pick the low-lights, I'd select the last two stories. The title piece never really gelled into anything for me, and the last piece, "Fantasy For Eleven Fingers", is an interesting idea that, unfortunately, collapsed a bit for me beneath the weight of an overabundance of historical detail.

Overall, though, this is a truly great collection of stories that is well worth reading.

I'm not really a big fan of short stories. However, I picked up this particular one because Billy Lynn had become an instant favorite of mine.

Well, let me tell you, this is such an amazing collection of stories. The writing is truly phenomenal. Ben Fountain has an incredible knack for taking just two words and stringing them together into a (usually sarcastic) phrase that manages to paint a complete and vivid picture of the setting.

It's really quite remarkable. I found myself completely immersed in each story, unable to put the book down. The way he crafts his words and weaves the tales is just so engaging.

I can't recommend this collection enough. It's been thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance despite my initial hesitation towards short stories.

"Encounters with Che Guevara" is a collection of stories that delves into themes such as politics, war, and identity through characters who find themselves immersed in extreme situations. Through unlikely circumstances,

Ben FOUNTAIN manages to capture the absurdity of life in conflict zones, whether in Latin America or Africa. Each story reveals the clash between ideologies and the harsh reality, showing both the disillusionment and the humanity of its protagonists.

The writing style is light yet reflective, inviting readers to question power structures and revolutionary dreams.

This collection offers a unique perspective on the complex and often tragic events that shape our world. It makes us think about the consequences of our actions and the importance of standing up for what we believe in.

Overall, "Encounters with Che Guevara" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

Part travelogue, part history textbook, Brief Encounters with Che Guevara is an almost flawless collection of historical-fiction short stories that share a common subject.

Specifically, the stories revolve around first-world expats and travelers, mostly Americans, who experience life through the accounts of both the bold and the broken citizens of the "third-world," mainly in Latin America, West Africa, and South Asia.

As we read, we witness these Americans observing and participating in the outer fringes of societies on the verge of revolution, war, and utter chaos. Although the protagonists in these stories are not particularly sympathetic (Fountain doesn't seem overly concerned with evoking sympathy from readers), readers are given opportunities to understand the lives of ordinary people caught in the middle of these upheavals, simply trying to survive and, perhaps, even thrive in the face of tyrannical rule in Haiti and Sri Lanka, or the marauding armies of young and dangerous rebels in Sierra Leone.

The Americans in these tales often receive reprieves and escapes from danger but choose to stay, learn, and grow as a result of the increasing uncertainty. Certainly, I felt a similar sense of growth while reading this collection. Writers don't often manage to blend the urban renegade spirit with historical fiction, but Fountain accomplishes it. Outstanding stories include "Asian Tiger," "The Lion's Mouth," and the Faulkner-esque "Fantasy for Eleven Fingers."

This collection is a must-read for both contemporary short-story readers and writers alike.

I absolutely adored these stories.

They possess a unique quirkiness, intertwined with astute political and social commentary.

Set in various international locations, the writing is incisive and fluid, effortlessly drawing the reader into each distinct setting.

Everything feels incredibly real, as if one is actually present in those situations.

I was previously unfamiliar with this author, but came across his name in an essay by Malcolm Gladwell titled "Late Bloomers" in "What the Dog Saw".

Fountain embarked on his writing career later in life, leaving behind the fields of real estate and law.

I will most definitely be following him and eagerly anticipating more captivating stories and novels.

His work has truly made an impression on me, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.

I re-read this collection, as I recalled enjoying it very much the first time I read it, and once again, I found great pleasure in it.

I found myself repeatedly drawn to the exoticism that lies at the heart of the book. I believe Fountain is/was conscious of this perspective and does not shy away from the fact that he and his characters are white, wealthy voyeurs. In my opinion, this is the only reason it is not overly problematic – because it is, in a sense, the essence of most of the stories. The whites in these situations are, broadly speaking, culpable (albeit not personally), attracted to the crisis, ineffective, and ultimately not true stakeholders.

I think this is a very real perspective held by many. One could argue that this perspective does not deserve to be given a platform, but I feel it is preferable to the white savior perspective.

That being said, I was confused the first time, and once again on this second reading, by the final short story in the collection. It is interesting, but in my mind, it does not quite fit with the rest of the stories.

3.3 - I was completely unprepared for short stories, but to my pleasant surprise, the first five were extremely well connected by theme and deeply engaging.

It was truly a captivating experience as I delved into each one, finding myself immersed in the unique worlds and narratives they presented.

Sadly, however, the last three stories seem to falter - whether it be in theme, quality, or tone.

This inconsistency leaves the collection feeling less cohesive as a whole.

Nevertheless, the author's ability to explore the "third world" connection with Americans, often military, and the complex series of connections and unfoldings is truly his strong suit as a writer.

These elements are vividly seen in the first stories and add a layer of depth and authenticity to the collection.

Overall, while there are some flaws, the initial strength of the first five stories makes this collection still worth exploring.