Best of the South: From the Second Decade of New Stories from the South
(Part of the New Stories from the South Series)
Since 1986, New Stories from the South has brought the best short fiction of the year to the attention of a national audience. The series has been called "the collection others should use as a model" (the Charlotte Observer ), and for twenty years it has held to that standard. When Anne Tyler helped us celebrate the first ten years of the series in Best of the South , 1986-1995, the reviews were ecstatic. "A triumph of authentic voices and unforgettable characters," said Southern Living . "An introduction to some of the best writers in the world today," raved the Northwest Arkansas Times . Now that the anthology has reached its twentieth birthday, Anne Tyler has done it again. From the 186 stories found in the ten volumes from 1996 to 2005, she has picked her favorites and introduced them with warmth, insight, and her own brand of quiet literary authority. Once again, her choices reflect her love of the kind of generous fiction she has called "spendthrift."Here are twenty stories--by both famous and first-time writers, from Lee Smith and Max Steele to Gregory Sanders and Stephanie Soileau--that hold nothing back.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1565124707
ISBN13:9781565124707
Release Date:September 2005
Publisher:Algonquin Books
Length:342 Pages
Weight:1.30 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
Best of the South
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I enjoyed the book except for some of the language, F--- this and that (in just a few stories). I thought the south was the last enclave of a more ... refined writing
Some Good, Some Great
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I purchased this book for a college course and found the stories generally enjoyable. I'm an English major and read a fair amount of fiction, some of which is lacking, and this is definitely a decent read. One story in particular, Faith Healer by Lucia Nevai, was one I found deeply affecting. In my long history of reading powerful and emotional novels I've become teary eyed one or twice at most but after reading Faith Healer I found myself completely in tears. I don't completely know why but I absolutely loved the story.
A refreshing View of The South
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
The South is responsible for the birth of blues, jazz, rock and roll, and a myriad of other American cultural staples. Yet, most often it is portrayed in books and movies as a backwards place filled with Beverly Hillbillies rejects and racist. That is why Best of The South is such a welcome and refreshing collection. In this collection there are tales that highlight many aspects of southern life. FLA. Boys is a story of lost innocence that may have never existed and is a true heartbreaker. Birdland is one of my favorite short stories bar none. It is a look at the regionalism of the south, the way others view the south, tradition, and how southerners view their selves. William Gay also lends a powerful and heart wrenching story, Those Deep Elm Brown's Ferry Blues, about dealing with parent's suffering with Alzheimer's. Those are just a few of the gems that make this a sparkling anthology of literature. That they show the true depth and breadth of southern life, intellect, and art only serves as polish on already shining gold.
Truly the Best
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Each year, I look forward to Algonquin's Best Stories of the South. To have the best of the best all in one book is a treat. Some of my favorite stories reside in these pages. "Memorial Day" is one of my ALL TIME favorite short stories. If you enjoy the short story form--and appreciate the Southern voice in its varied and rich tones, then this should be a staple on your bookshelf.
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