Reviews (166)

Absolutely Fascinating!
I was hooked after reading only the first line!What a wonderful picture of Life in 19th Century China.Gloriously written.I've not read anything by Ms. Lee before, but I'm definitely going to explore some of her other books!

Touching and informative
The setting of this book is 19th. century China, a time when men's and women's roles are rigidly defined by age-old customs and rules.The two main characters are Lily, the narrator, and Snow Flower, her "laotong", who are bound together by contract and by love developed through many shared experiences.They are closer than husband and wife, or parent and child and they give one another much-needed love and support in a society where they are women and therefore useless for anything other than producing sons.Lisa See reveals details about many practices of the day, including foot-binding and nu shu, a specialized "women's writing" which is used by Lily and Snow Flower to communicate.They write hearfelt messages to one another on a fan, which becomes a chronicle of their intertwined lives and their most priceless possession.This is a fascinating look at what life was like for Chinese women in the 19th. century, and on another level it is a timeless lesson on the necessary components for a successful friendship between women.I highly recommend this book.

Intriguing Look into A Different World
What I thoroughly enjoyed about Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was becoming engrossed in the time period of the novel, learning about a culture I knew little about, and coming to understand the role of women in the Chinese society of the day. The friendship between Snow Flower and Lily was very well drawn, but the relationships between all of the female characters in the book was intriguing. This novel proved to be an excellent choice for my women's book club! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian American Novel And Short Story    2. China    3. Female friendship    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. Fiction - Historical    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. Popular American Fiction    10. Psychological    11. Reminiscing in old age    12. Women    13. Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

A refreshing change
I have all but given up on the so called "Vampire Hunter" books (there is no hunting only sex), but this book was why I first started reading her work in the first place.She can weave a great story, and leave the reader on the edge of their seat waiting for more.Everyone changes as time goes on, and I can appreciate that but they say when you are lost look to your roots.Maybe there is hope for Anita yet.No sex, just wonderful short stories that prove Hamilton can do it.

OMG
Ouch.This was pretty painful.Oh, Goddess; where to start?Okay, first:If you are totally stoked about the December release of Mistral's Kiss, DO NOT read this book.Most especially, do not read the introductions - at least not if you'd like to continue to think of Laurell Hamilton as a nice person.I was totally stoked about the December release of Mistral's Kiss, and now I'm wondering if I will read any more Hamilton ever.
See?
She can write and excellent story (stories) without burying it in endless creative sex. These stories are a collection of various places in her very creative worlds. No Merry Gentry story but two Anita stories an early one and a more evolved later one. And some stories from the world of Nightseer. Ms Hamilton has a very good grasp of how short stories work and an excellent ability to make them pop. The pacing is totally different. The difference between a sketch and a painting. She does it well. Now if we could just get her to do this with the Anita novels: more story, less paint. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erotic fiction    2. Fantasy - General    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Fantasy    5. General    6. Occult fiction    7. Short Stories (single author)    8. Supernatural    9. Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

Other than Kenyon, awful compilation
I didn't like one story in this book other than Kenyon's, and even that wasn't her best.The book was actually so bad that I resent the money I paid for it.And to add insult to injury, the other book I bought that was a compilation including Kenyon was even WORSE.Just a total waste of money.Two of the stories are written in the first person -- and come on, are you a 12 year old writing a story for composition class? -- and all of them are hokey and, to be blunt, lame.

severely disappointed
Severely disappointed is the only way to describe my reaction to this anthology.I ran right out to buy this book because of all the positive reviews.Save your money and buy it used.

Some are silver and the others gold, but all GREAT!
To say that I was looking forward to this book for the authors that I already know and love is an understatement.I couldn't wait to read L.A. Banks' story and Sherilyn Kenyon's.However, I have to say that I not only enjoyed the stories from the authors that I am already familiar with and love, but I enjoyed the stories from the authors who were previously unknown to me as well.What a great introduction to something new!I am definitely going to be broadening my book collection with some new authors and of course will continue on with the ones I love and know already.This was a book filled with interesting, romantic and exciting tales and I would recommend it to anyone.KUDOS to these writers for a capital accomplishment.
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Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Fantasy - General    3. Fantasy - Short Stories    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Fantasy    6. Horror tales, American    7. Occult    8. Weddings    9. Fiction / Fantasy / General   

Editorial Review

In his debut novel, Read more

Reviews (1561)

Moving story...richly envisioned characters
This first novel, from an Afghanistan immigrant, feels like a memoir.I had to wonder how much of it was fiction, and how much came from Hosseni's own life, particulary the early passages.Either way, it is a stirring work and a wonderfully fast and engrossing read.
This book hit the whole gamut of emotions.....wonderful read!
It took me all of two days to read this book.It was one of those ones I couldn't put down once I started it and then when I was done I couldn't stop talking about it.Great book that I would recommend to anyone.

Un-put-downable
Absorbing.I especially appreciated the writer's straightforward, clear style.He follows the golden rule ... show, don't tell... marvellously. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Short Stories (single author)    5. Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Mix of the fantastic and the mundane
Neil Gaiman weaves the threads of fairy tales, mythology and archetypes throughout his fiction, which, combined with a writing style that's simple and adorned with elegant turns of phrases, has made him one of the leading figures in fantastic fiction. "Fragile Things," his collection of short stories and poems, contains excellent stories about desire and loss, a few wonderful riffs on genre fiction, a bunch of middling stories and poems and a few bones for Gaiman completists and Tori Amos fans.
Wonderful and Entrancing
You could probably spend hours hunting down these various stories online. Why do that when this book collects some of Neil Gaiman's best work in one easy-to-find source? Filled with award-winning shorts this book is awesome to say the least. It is worth it solely for the American God's story involving Shadow, but this book contains many more enchanting, enticing and otherwise delicious stories ready to be devoured. If you haven't read Neil's work - you should. I have yet to find an author who matches his prose style and dreamy quality of writing (no pun intended). Terribly unique as an author, Neil Gaiman continues to delight in this book. You won't be disappointed with Fragile Things.

Great
I just purchased this, so I haven't had the time to read all the stories yet.However, what I have read, was classic Neil Gaiman, by which mean, very good.Every story is amusing or disturbing, in only the way that Gaiman can write.He has an amazing imagination and a distinct voice.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Popular English Fiction    5. Short Stories (single author)    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (16)

A real disappointment
If these stories were by some unknown writer, they would have been boring and dull.But from Jennifer Weiner, they are a real disappointment.I can't imagine this book would have been published but for the fact that it was an automatic "sell" to Weiner fans.
Stinker!Big disappointment!Save your money!
Her other two books were awesome so I expected the same out of this one but was sorely disappointed.I kept slogging through the short stories expecting them to be connected in some way but alas, I was wrong.The entire book is a series of short stories that go nowhere.They're not connected with at all.I'm left totally unsatisfied.
Gloomy & Boring
Jennifer Weiner is such a good writer; if only she could get past her neuroses! Enough with divorce, enough with overweight women! Many of these stories made me uncomfortable or turned me off altogether. There was a reason why various publications rejected these stories way back when, and so should have her current publisher. Ms. Weiner needs to break from the advice of many a writing teacher, i.e., write what you know. Explore new situations, new emotions, and include some happy endings! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Short Stories (single author)    6. Single women    7. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (32)

Now that's what I'm talking about!
The only bad part about this book is it had to end! Red was conniving and dirty as they come in this scandalous tale of deceit and consequences. The narration really exemplified the story. It was almost like a good friend was giving you the scoop on what was going down. This wasn't your typical ghetto street saga either because the author has substance. She knows how to grab your attention and keep it. Based on the wild ending, I know a sequel will be hitting shelves in due time. Hopefully the wait won't be too long!^5.

Can't put it down...
I sometimes read urban books since I can relate a lot, and this was a fast read! Red was pathetic...if she'd been a go getter with some scruples I'd have liked her better....

So Dirty...So So Dirty
The title of this book definitly described who Red really is.I read this book in one day and was nowhere near being disappointed.Red did so many people "dirty" that there has to be a sequel to this, just to see what happens next.I don't want to sit here and give away any details, but I am sure that you will all agree with me that this book is (1) off the hook and (2) there needs to be a sequel.I mean it is only right!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Novel And Short Story    2. African American women    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. General    6. Love stories    7. Popular American Fiction    8. Romance - General    9. Romance: Modern    10. Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Atwood, Margaret - Prose & Criticism    2. Autobiographical fiction, Canadian    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Literary    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Short Story    8. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (7)

good overview, but as a whole seems to lack a little vision
I continue to count myself a Haruki Murakami fan and will continue to pick up every release and peruse literary magazines for his name.My interest in Murakami started from a brilliant collection of contemporary Japanese fiction called _Monkey Brain Sushi_.The story, "TV People," led me to pick up _The Elephant Vanishes_, and from there I was hooked.
Poor aunts that stay on your back
Murakami is an author unlike many other i have encountered. Words for him are not the end, but a means to it. Wind-up bird, Hard boiled wonderland, Wild sheep chase have established this recluse as the master of the 'bizarre.
Absolutely Strange
I hope I can make it clear that for me to describe a book as strange is not necessarily a condemnatory dismissal, and also not automatically complimentary: in the past I've used it both ways. In saying in my title that this anthology of short stories is "absolutely strange" indicates my slight recoiling from subject matter that is so outside even the most extreme confines of the norm I don't as yet know quite how to take it. In truth I probably should have allowed this material to "ferment" a bit more before attempting a review.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Literary    4. Short Stories (single author)    5. Short Story    6. Fiction / Literary   

Editorial Review

Mr. Kapasi, the protagonist of Jhumpa Lahiri's title story, wouldcertainly have his work cut out for him if he were forced to interpret the maladies of all the characters in this eloquent debut collection. Take, for example, Shoba and Shukumar, the young couple in "A Temporary Matter" whose marriage is crumbling in the wake of a stillborn child. Or Miranda in "Sexy," who is involved in a hopeless affair with a married man. But Mr. Kapasi has problems enough of his own; in addition to his regular job working as an interpreter for a doctor who does not speak his patients' language, he also drives tourists to local sites of interest. His fare on this particular day is Mr. and Mrs. Das--first-generation Americans of Indian descent--and their children. During the course of the afternoon, Mr. Kapasi becomes enamored of Mrs. Das and then becomes her unwilling confidant when she reads too much into his profession. "I told you because of your talents," she informs him after divulging a startling secret.Read more

Reviews (411)

Tales of Two Countries
Nine short stories, told in so natural and transparent a style that at times one forgets that what one is reading has been exquisitely crafted by its author. But she is there, all right, in her choice of subject matter, her acuity of observation, her sensitivity to minute disturbances of the emotional field. Most of the main characters are of Indian descent but, except in two stories set entirely in India, they are people making a new life in America or already established here. While their ethnicity is always present in references to food, dress, and customs, we nonetheless recognize them as people like ourselves, leading everyday lives and struggling to define themselves. Most of the events are quite small -- a power-cut, the problem of finding a child-minder, moving into a new condo -- but they shine light on deeper, less transitory human issues. A particular joy is the way the collection is framed between two stories, one pinpointing the loss of love in a spontaneous marriage, the other celebrating the birth of love in an arranged one.

One of my all time favorite books
This has to be one of my favorite books.I first read this several years ago. At first, I wasn't drawn to it, since the stories are told from a very specific immigrant point of view.However, the stories go well beyond the ethnic voice in which it is told. The characters and their stories are universal in nature and help enlighten our human condition.The writing is powerful, evoking a wide range of emotions...sadness, regret, hope, joy, longing.Some of the images in the book have lingered with me for years(e.g. the lonely woman's cocktail dress falling off thehanger in her closet).I can't wait for more books from Ms. Lahiri!

Astounding depth in small packages
To think that this is a book on immigrants is to completely miss the point.This collection of short stories paints the lives of different people in different stages of their lives, and subtly yet so effectively portrays the discovery (or rediscovery) of love, or better yet, the unearthing of meaning that we are forever struggling to find.Some find it through compromise, some through complacency and others simply need to be reminded.
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Subjects:  1. East Indian Americans    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Short stories    8. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)    9. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

Star radio storyteller David Sedaris presents his collected works in one audio box set. The longest (at five hours) is his latest, Read more

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (25)

Hilarious
I would've given it 5 stars but it should get about 4.8 stars.
Lost in Translation...
While it's great hearing David Sedaris' voice, it ultimately takes away from the experience.Sedaris' books are amazingly funny and dark; very witty stuff.They are best enjoyed in print form though, when the reader can inject their own tone and inflection into the words of the printed page.Hearing David Sedaris' interpretation somewhat lessens this experience.
How Can You Beat This Price?
As a big fan of David Sedaris, I have loved listening to him read his stories on NPR even more than I have enjoyed reading his books. While I had wanted to purchase some of the audiobooks, they always seemed so pricy.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Humor    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Fiction    5. Form - Essays    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Editorial Review

Any talk of Read more

Reviews (344)

A must-read
The Namesake has it all: a great story, lyrical writing, beautiful imagery.I couldn't put it down and read it straight through.The book truly enriched my life.
A tale of first and second generation immigrants
I've never heard of Jhumpa Lahiri before a friend recommended this book to me.So I read it with an open mind, not even knowing what the story was about.It is not a bad book.The first few chapters describe the live of a couple (Ashima and Ashoke) that move to the U.S. from India.The plot continues following the live of their son (Gogol).The chapters about the couple (Ashima and Ashoke) are worth reading; the chapters about Gogol arethere to fill pages -- a complete waste of time.There might be hundreds of books about the lives of immigrants.This is not a bad one, but well below Kundera's "Ignorance."
Impatient for Lahiri's next book!
I'm glad I didn't read the reviews before reading the book, because I would have known the outcome of Gogol's relationships with women.Since the book has a strict chronology with few digressions, it moves forward as life does: we don't know where it's headed and don't really want to know.
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Subjects:  1. American First Novelists    2. Asian American Novel And Short Story    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Literary    6. Fiction / Literary   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (132)

Funny but odd.. Buy with caution.
Very good book but only buy it if you are looking for a book with a very strange sense of humor. In the first story he explains his job as an Elf at Santaland and describes his daily life. It is so funny, some of the things people do there are amazing and crazy at the same time.
David Sedaris
Another collection of essays from a brilliant wit who you know you love to read. It's like I've said in my reviews before. There's no need to review each book when I can just give the author a blanket endorsement and guarantee you'll love whatever you find by the guy. I love it when that happens. I may have annoyed Jan by laughing out loud too often. Sedaris is like that.
I enjoy sick humor!
If you laugh at children falling down this is the book for you.He may push it sometimes but isn't that what a good writer should do?Knowing he is half Greek, so am I, I was hoping for a good egg cracking story or roasting lamb in your backyard.Unfortunately there wasn't one.Santaland was my favorite. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Christmas stories, American    3. Fiction    4. Form - Essays    5. General    6. Humor    7. Humorous    8. Humorous stories, American    9. Short Stories (single author)    10. Short stories    11. Fiction / Humorous   

Reviews (7)

clean, aching storytelling from a master...
Reviewed by Joanna Pearson for Small Spiral Notebook
Thoughtful
I usually do not read short stories, I just love novels, however, because it was by the author of "The Known World" I had to read this.Edward P. Jones has written a thoughtful, well crafted, haunting collection of short stories."The Root Worker" makes you wonder about the choices that you make in your life, and how they can haunt you.Riveting.

Simply wonderful
There is no one else like Edward Jones writing today.Imagine someone writing with the elegiac tone and richness of language of Doctorow mixed with deep emotion and you get Mr. Jones.In these stories, the lives of ordinary citizens of Washington DC come to life in a way that gives testimony to the creative spirit.In a literary world crowded with the talented and clever but short of heart, Mr. Jones is the real deal, someone who writes with intelligence for readers who love to read serious fiction and care about the human condition.With his three books of fiction, Mr. Jones has reached the rarified air of the greats of American literature.If you are passionate about serious writing, you'll read these stories again and again.They are that good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Novel And Short Story    2. African Americans    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Washington (D.C.)    8. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (12)

Wonderful Book.
When my favorite program on WNYC recommended this book, I purchased it immediately. It's a wonderful read. The stories I most like are: On the Nature of Human Interaction, The Phrenologist's Dream, and Zilkowski's Theorem.
me + ? = love
This collection reminders me a lot of a collection of short stories by Anthony Doerr, The Shell Collector.At first this felt connection surprised me since this is a book written with the sensitivities of a scientist and mathematician whereas The Shell Collector is a book of nature, full of natural power.These differences are not as great as I first thought though after I realized that it is the same natural power that Doerr finds in the world of Nature that Iagnemma finds in mathematics.
Scientific sensibility woven in2 touching, well-told stories
In this short story collection, we're witnesses to the clumsy dance between scientific mind and the human heart. Karl Iagnemma's distinctive characters - afailed engineer, a phrenologist, a mathematician, an amateur geometrician, a forester, a doctor, and others - all muddle through the familiar scientific terrain of conferences, scientific journals, equations and experiments, which serve as a perfect counterpoint to the messy relationships and longings in each of their lives.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Short Stories (single author)    4. Short stories    5. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (91)

Great Story
This book took me on highs and lows I love it when books can bring out emotions, and this one did just that. Great story . Looking forward to the follow up

ANNA JIS THE TRUTH, STORY TELLER TO THE 99TH POWER
THIS BOOK IS THE SH_T, SO MUCH EXCITEMENT IT WAS CRAZY !!! I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN JASMINE,MONICA & JAMESSEEM LIKE PEOPLE YOU KNOW . THE LESSON IN THIS BOOK IS KEEP THINGS POPPIN AT HOME, AND NEVER EVER BRING ANYONE ELSE INTO YOUR RELATIONSHIP,IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.SO DO YOUR THANG AT HOME WITH YOUR MAN/WOMAN AND STAY AWAY FROM MONICA'S ALL OVER THE WORLD... THIS CHICK CAN TURN Y'ALL BOTH OUT !!!!!
OFF THE HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At first I though, naw, just another book, BUT much to my surprise, this book got my attention, real quick!!! Anna J, BRING IT ON!!! I've got the sequel, but I haven't start reading it yet. If you didn't like the first book, maybe you need a little excitment in your life!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Fiction / General    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

Fun with Fairies
The eight short stories in this collection are set in the same England as Clarke's popular novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (which I have not read), an England in which magic is at least nominally present and faeries are human-like creatures with very considerable powers. All but one of the stories, which range in length from a few pages to 45 pages, have been previously published over the last ten years in various anthologies such as Starlight 1, 2, and 3, and Black Swan, White Raven and Black Heart, Ivory Bones.