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The Best American Short Stories of the Century
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The Best American Short Stories of the Century Paperback - 2000

by John Updike

Including one new story and an Index by author of every story that has ever appeared in the series, this new volume offers a "spectacular tapestry of fictional achievement" ("Entertainment Weekly").


Summary

Since the series' inception in 1915, the annual volumes of The Best American Short Stories have launched literary careers, showcased the most compelling stories of each year, and confirmed for all time the significance of the short story in our national literature. Now THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES OF THE CENTURY brings together the best -- fifty-six extraordinary stories that represent a century's worth of unsurpassed achievements in this quintessentially American literary genre. This expanded edition includes a new story from The Best American Short Stories 1999 to round out the century, as well as an index including every story published in the series.
Of all the writers whose work has appeared in the series, only John Updike has been represented in each of the last five decades, from his first appearance, in 1959, to his most recent, in 1998. Updike worked with coeditor Katrina Kenison to choose the finest stories from the years since 1915. The result is "extraordinary . . . A one-volume literary history of this country's immeasurable pains and near-infinite hopes" (Boston Globe).

From the publisher

Since the series' inception in 1915, the annual volumes of The Best American Short Stories have launched literary careers, showcased the most compelling stories of each year, and confirmed for all time the significance of the short story in our national literature. Now THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES OF THE CENTURY brings together the best of the best - fifty-five extraordinary stories that represent a century's worth of unsurpassed accomplishments in this quintessentially American literary genre. Here are the stories that have endured the test of time: masterworks by such writers as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Willa Cather, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Saroyan, Flannery O'Connor, John Cheever, Eudora Welty, Philip Roth, Joyce Carol Oates, Raymond Carver, Cynthia Ozick, and scores of others. These are the writers who have shaped and defined the landscape of the American short story, who have unflinchingly explored all aspects of the human condition, and whose works will continue to speak to us as we enter the next century. Their artistry is represented splendidly in these pages. THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES series has also always been known for making literary discoveries, and discovery proved to be an essential part of selecting the stories for this volume too. Collections from years past yielded a rich harvest of surprises, stories that may have been forgotten but still retain their relevance and luster. The result is a volume that not only gathers some of the most significant stories of our century between two covers but resurrects a handful of lost literary gems as well. Of all the great writers whose work has appeared in the series, only John Updike's contributions have spanned five consecutive decades, from his first appearance, in 1959. Updike worked with coeditor Katrina Kenison to choose stories from each decade that meet his own high standards of literary quality.

Details

  • Title The Best American Short Stories of the Century
  • Author John Updike
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 864
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Mariner Books, Wilmington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
  • Date 2000-04-20
  • ISBN 9780395843673 / 0395843677
  • Weight 1.85 lbs (0.84 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 2.3 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 5.84 cm)
  • Ages 14 to UP years
  • Grade levels 9 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Short stories, American fiction - 20th century
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 00269492
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"A treasure - a one-volume literary history of this country's immeasurable pains and near-infinite hopes." Boston Globe

"Finding wonderful stories that you don't already know is one of this collection's great pleasures... " The New York Times

"The short story - not to mention America and the twentieth century - at its best." The Wall Street Journal

"...a thrillingly energized argument for the enduring vitality of big ideas in small packages." Entertainment Weekly

Citations

  • Entertainment Weekly, 05/19/2000, Page 65
  • New York Times, 04/16/2000, Page 36
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