Ben Fountain's writing is a captivating exploration of characters who undergo profound transformations due to their strange love, wry melancholy, and remarkable passions, insights, and self-deception.

It is truly a pleasure to follow these characters as they embark on their journeys, escaping, embracing, and trying to make sense of the worlds they have chosen to enter bravely and naively.

Fountain's protagonists face unfamiliar territories and loved ones who have been transfigured. Their encounters are often fraught with difficulties, danger, hellishness, or unfathomability. However, what they encounter is just as rich in depth, complexity, folly, and wisdom as the protagonists themselves.

Transnational networks, whether they are military, economic, historical, political, mythic, familial, ethnic, or religious, are as much a part of their landscapes as particular terrains, regions, and countries.

While attempting to find meaning in their individual existences, Fountain's sincere protagonists strive to take action for a greater good beyond themselves and the national, racial, gender, and class privileges they were born with.

At the same time, these men and women are tempted, taunted, and tormented by threats of violence, promises of obscene wealth, and the comforts that come with their inherent positions of privilege.

All the stories in the collection are politically engaged, a courageous and rare aesthetic choice in 21st Century American short fiction. Yet, Fountain's tone is never didactic or strident. He gently teases out the paradoxes and limitations of living with one's eyes and heart as open as possible in this "era of globalization."

Each story is humane and humorous, casually-poetic and moving, filled with well-rounded, sympathetic, and imperfect characters who idiosyncratically love other people, places, and aspects of the troubled world.

It is a gift to be able to accompany Fountain's characters as they thrive and flounder in the twisting and turning, merging and diverging networks of powers that enmesh them. I truly love this wonderful, cohesive collection of stories.

Malcolm Gladwell introduced me to Ben Fountain's stories via an article in The New Yorker titled "Late Bloomers: Why do we Equate Genius with Precocity?". Fountain's work has its own unique charm in terms of storytelling and underlying complexities.

With an internationalist perspective, this collection of stories shatters stereotypes by guiding readers on a journey. We venture from the jungles of Colombia's rebel-held territory, seen through the eyes of an ornithologist, to the slums of Haiti in pursuit of the nation's great art, then to the golf courses of Myanmar (yes, golf courses!) and war-torn Sierra Leone.

These stories are both tests and testaments of morality and ideology, as well as the unpredictable outcomes when these theories collide with reality. For example, there's the dedicated aid worker who takes a diamond smuggler as her lover, the professional golfer who aims to make money hitting little white balls but gets embroiled in international corruption, and a meditation based on second-hand encounters with the guerrillero Che Guevara - a famous martyr who is both revered and elusive.

In conclusion, all I can say is, "Bravo, Ben Fountain! BRAVO!"

A collection of short stories presents an interesting concept.

The thread that runs through most of them, excluding the last story, involves people who find themselves caught up in 3rd world occurrences that are far beyond their capabilities to handle.

Just like in many short stories, these tales often end with a non-climax, leaving the reader yearning for more.

The prose used in this collection is truly superb, with beautiful language and vivid descriptions.

However, despite the excellent writing, I personally didn't have a great deal of interest in the stories themselves.

Perhaps it was because the subject matter didn't resonate with me, or maybe the lack of a traditional climax left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.

Nevertheless, it's important to recognize the skill and talent that went into creating this collection of short stories.

Even if it didn't fully capture my attention, others may find it to be a captivating and thought-provoking read.

My Amazon review on May 12, 2018:

The short story..a lost art.

A good, quick and fairly entertaining read. These stories are set in some very interesting places. You might never read much about them, much less go to them. Such as Sierra Leone, Burma, Haiti, and even that part of Colombia where FARC (MURC in the story) operated.

Short-story writing seems to be in eclipse in recent years. Perhaps it's because they are really hard to do well. For the most part, these stories seem to do a really good job. They evoke the 'atmosphere' of some of these places, both physical and human. Although the characters are less successful than the background somehow. Maybe that is just the nature of short stories. How much time can you spend on character 'development'?

If nothing else, these quirky outtakes from some 3rd world 'garden spots' piqued my curiosity about some of those places. And it was worth the time for just that reason. Probably deserves 3.5 stars.

Near-Extinct Birds of the Central Cordillera: ★★★
A budding ornithologist is on a noble mission to save a rare species of birds. In the Central Cordillera, these birds face numerous threats that push them closer to the brink of extinction. The ornithologist, with a passion for these feathered creatures, spends countless hours studying their habitats, behaviors, and needs. He is determined to make a difference and ensure the survival of this precious species.

Reve Haitien: ★★
An American steps forward to assist the revolutionaries in Haiti. The country is in the midst of turmoil, and the revolutionaries are fighting for change. The American, with his own ideals and a desire to help, offers his support and expertise. He becomes involved in the struggle, facing many challenges along the way.

The Good Ones Are Already Taken: ★
A wife finds herself in a difficult situation as she has to share her husband with a goddess. This unexpected turn of events tests their relationship and forces her to come to terms with the new reality. She grapples with her emotions, trying to figure out how to navigate this complex situation.

Asian Tiger: ★★★
A golf pro from Texas embarks on a journey to make a living in Burma. Burma holds a certain allure for him, and he is willing to take on the challenges that come with starting over in a new country. The word "Burma" is like a prayer to him, filled with hope and possibility.

Bouki and the Cocaine: ★★★★
A man and his wife, having nothing to lose, decide to take on "the man". Their actions lead them down a dangerous path, filled with risks and consequences. But they are determined to make a stand and fight for what they believe in.

The Lion's Mouth: ★★★
Sierra Leone and its blood diamonds play a significant role in helping Jill come to a decision. The beauty and wealth of the diamonds mask the dark and violent history behind them. Jill is faced with a moral dilemma as she weighs the pros and cons of getting involved.

Brief Encounters with Che Guevara: ★★★
The words "Don't ever laugh when a Haitian tells you he's going to be president, because it might happen. And if it does, he won't forget that you laughed at him." carry a powerful message. In Haiti, dreams of leadership and change are alive, and one should never underestimate the power of ambition.

Fantasy for Eleven Fingers: ★★★
The statement "Yes, because he's flaunting it. The thing that made him different. Which seems dangerous, in a way." sets the stage for an intriguing story. The idea of being different and the potential consequences that come with it add an element of mystery and excitement.

I read this book a long time ago and it was truly worth revisiting.

More than ten years have elapsed since its publication, but only the names have changed.

The collection of essays is set in countries such as Haiti, Columbia, Myanmar, Cuba, and others.

It is told with a sardonic kind of humour, which leaves the reader with profound questions about the state of humanity.

It makes us question our morality in challenging situations, our courage in the face of adversity, and the futility of going against big government or big business.

The book is extremely thought-provoking and even philosophical in its observations.

It forces us to reflect on our own values and actions, and consider how we can make a positive difference in the world.

Overall, it is a remarkable work that continues to resonate with readers long after its initial release.

A collection of stories was presented, and they seemed to have a certain degree of relatedness until the final one steered the narrative in a slightly different direction. Each story was exquisitely written and developed over the course of 20 - 40 pages. What I particularly appreciated was Br. Fountain's courage to address the third world and some of the issues that ordinary people there encounter.

Among the stories, I had a special fondness for "Near Extinct Birds of the Central Cordillera". It讲述了 an American graduate student who gets abducted by the Colombian rebels and held for ransom. During his captivity, he discovers that the rebel-held lands actually serve as a de facto preserve for the very animals he has come to Colombia to study. This unexpected twist added an element of intrigue and depth to the story.

I also greatly enjoyed "The Lion's Mouth". This story delved into Sierra Leone, exploring the diamond trade and non-profit work in a war-ravaged country. The ethical dilemmas presented in both stories were not only thought-provoking but also highly memorable. They made me reflect on the complex issues that exist in different parts of the world and the difficult choices that people have to make. Overall, this collection of stories was a captivating and engaging read.

I discovered this book in a second-hand bookstore. As someone who has a passion for birds and also admires Che Guevara, I initially thought the book would be an interesting impulse buy. However, I was rather put off by the overly enthusiastic reviews. To my surprise, no one seemed to have any critical remarks. I was also disappointed to find that this book was sold at UO, as I usually tend to avoid trendy reads.

Despite my initial reservations, this collection of short stories truly made me think deeply. It definitely exercised the part of my brain that was trained as an English major.

There is no doubt that Ben Fountain is a talented writer. His ability to create entire worlds within a limited number of pages is truly remarkable. While several reviewers believed that the stories would have been better as the basis for full-length novels, I appreciate the brevity of each piece. It leaves a lot to the imagination, and Fountain provides just the right amount of detail for readers to form their own conclusions. I have always been one to create my own story.

I am still trying to figure out the significance of the title. Some reviewers felt that the book has no real connection to Che Guevara and that the title simply refers to a short story within the collection. However, I highly doubt that Fountain chose the title randomly. I suspect that there is an underlying theme of revolution throughout each story; a change in beliefs; a solitary voice that protests against a greater injustice. All of these can be seen as representations of a young, idealistic Che.

Other reviews mention that certain stories do not seem to fit because they are not set in a third world country or do not have a spoiled American as the protagonist. However, these points are not relevant. Each story presents an outsider who ultimately assimilates into a different world. This can be either a victory or a defeat, depending on the story. The fate of the Austrian piano player was clearly the latter, and I wonder why Fountain chose to end his collection on such a downbeat note.

In conclusion, I wanted to dislike this book, but instead, I ended up being completely engrossed in it. It has become one of my favorites.

I truly had a great affection for the initial three stories within this book.

Each of them was set in South or Central American countries during the revolutionary periods.

The vivid descriptions and engaging plots transported me to those tumultuous times, allowing me to experience the emotions and struggles of the characters.

However, the last two stories, among which was the beautifully named title story, were rather disappointing.

Their narratives seemed to lack the same depth and excitement as the previous ones.

The development of the characters was not as thorough, and the overall storylines failed to capture my attention as effectively.

Despite this, the first three stories alone made the book worth reading, and I would still recommend it to others who are interested in exploring the literature of South and Central America.

Perhaps they will have a different perspective on the last two stories and find something that I missed.

Overall, it was an interesting read with both highs and lows.

Most Everything You Care to Know about People You’ve Rarely Thought About but were Afraid to Ask

Mastering the short story is a talent few writers excel at. Ben Fountain is one of them.

“Brief Encounters with Che Guevera” is the title of one of the short stories in this book. There is something about Guevera that applies in each case. Fountain writes with economy and precision. He writes with compassion. And, he tells his stories with a deft humor that reminds the reader of our humanity while not beating a drum to make his points.

The subject matter is about the developed world’s encounters with the developing world. It’s about how those who have and those who have not think about the same things in quite different ways. Fountain leads us through this theme in Africa, South America, Europe, the Caribbean Islands, and particularly Haiti.

His descriptions are both attention-grabbing and thought-provoking. For example, “Dunes of garbage filled out the open spaces, eruptions so rich in colorful filth that they achieved a kind of abstraction.” And “They were all lawyers, all schooled in the authority of words, though as their words turned to dust a pall of impotence and futility settle over the mission.”

Imaginative, exquisitely detailed with a big helping of black humor and irony, you will not be able to read these stories without finding some changes in what you think of the daily stream of world news. Warning: You might not be the same person after finishing it.

PS: Thanks to Trish and Will for alerting me to this gem.

I happened to pick this book off a shelf at our local library solely due to its captivating title. And boy, am I truly glad that I didn't pass it up! Initially, I was on the verge of putting it back on the shelf as I'm generally not a huge fan of short stories, with only a few exceptions. However, I just couldn't stop browsing through its pages. I then carried it to a nearby chair, read the first two chapters, and before I knew it, I was checking it out, filled with giddy joy.

This book is an eclectic mix of quirky and highly creative slice-of-life short stories. What makes it even more interesting is that these stories are set in such diverse geographical settings as Haiti, Columbia, Myanmar, Burma, Sierra Leone, and many others.

The book is truly excellent. Most of the stories, with the exception of the last one which doesn't quite fit the pattern, involve Americans who find themselves getting entangled in situations of political and cultural struggle in other countries. As a result, they end up seeing things in a completely different light than they originally anticipated, and their character is put to the test.

The writing style is rich in detail yet manages to be spare at the same time. It's a truly remarkable combination. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging short stories.

Ben Fountain, a talented writer based in Dallas, has crafted a truly remarkable collection of stories.

Although this might seem like slightly old news as the book was published in 2007 by HarperCollins, the fiction within its pages is so captivating that I felt compelled to give it a plug here.

The stories, with one significant exception, present Americans abroad in rather murky circumstances that put their principles to the test and force them to make uncomfortable choices.

For instance, an ornithology graduate student gets taken prisoner by guerillas in the mountains of Colombia. An aide worker in Haiti and another in Sierra Leone find their noble efforts to enhance the lives of the poor thwarted by the complexity of life in third world countries.

A golf pro in Myanmar becomes involved in a convoluted scam. The last story in the collection, "Fantasy for Eleven Fingers," is an astonishing miniature piece of historical fiction that is both suspenseful and moving.

The writing style is graceful and engaging, and unlike many modern short stories, it is well plotted. In other words, things actually happen, and these events drive the narrative forward.

By removing his characters from their everyday context, Fountain strips them of their reasonable anticipation of the consequences of their actions. This tactic intensifies their dilemmas and raises the tension level. At times, these stories feel like minithrillers.

I found myself rooting for Fountain's characters, hoping against hope that they would not be sucked into an abyss. It was an amazing read for me.

All in all, the collection is truly remarkable and compelling and most definitely deserves an even wider readership.