I enjoyed several of them though to be honest, I prefer his novels. As expected the small town theme prevails in all stories which are focused on family, for the most part. Russo is a magnificent storyteller in his own right though and its hard NOT to engage with the characters and find the humor he masterfully weaves into them when least expected. ( )

This collection of literary short fiction about a series of troubled, often profoundly flawed people is perfect for readers who prize character development and pessimism over plot movement and optimism. Although some form of human misery is at the heart of most stories, the mood is not off-putting. With a few exceptions (e.g., The Mysteries of Linwood Hart), we leave the central characters in the same place we met them, resulting in a flat story arc. Most stories provide a subtle twist at the end, but the characters do not appear to gain insight or a more positive outlook on life. They are condemned to muddle forward as they have in the past.

The stories read quickly, and the characters are not so gloomy to make the reading experience unpleasant. They create a sense of wonder or curiosity, and I wanted to see how each story would be resolved.

I am not a fan of hard-core literary fiction, but I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it without reservation. ( )

I always find it difficult to say something intelligent about a Pulitzer Prize winning author that hasn't already been said. Regardless, I am happy I picked up another book by Richard Russo after reading Empire Falls. It has been on my mind to do so and I drifted off to that section of the library a little more than a week ago and picked this book of short stories off the shelf.

All were very good but the stories that stand out most in my mind are "Joy Ride", "Buoyancy" and the "Mysteries of Linwood Hart".

Like Empire Falls, I highly recommend this book. ( )

Richard Russo is an old soul. He writes eloquently about what is more likely his parents' time -- of cocktail parties and defined gender roles and the conundrums of middle age, and the era of American manufacturing and the echoes it leaves in contemporary times. This collection of short stories touches on many of these themes with earnestness and sympathy and careful attention. ( )

I love short stories and i really enjoy Richard Russo. Thus i was excited to tear into this small collection. And i was not disappointed!!! I loved this book. Russo has some mysterious way of totally captivating me with his character's humanity.....i feel like i know them, be they adult or child.....i've felt those same things.....occasionally i realize he could be talking about me! Or my mother! It was really a joy to read. I live in Maine, as does Russo, so the Maine settings trip my trigger as well. 'The Whore's Child' (sad & poignant) was probably my favorite, with 'Joy Ride' (a child forced to deal with a mother trying to figure things out), 'Monhegan Island' (Seeing our life through someone else's eyes) , & 'The Mysteries of Linwood Hart' (the absolute mystery of growing up as a child with adult parents) all close behind. A quick easy read that i was sorry ended after only 7 stories! Thank you Mr. Russo! ( )