Mavis Gallant Collected Stories

Some stories are stronger than others, as with all story collections, but on the whole this is an important and at times very beautiful book by a writer who deserves to be more widely read. As Gallant herself has said, "“Stories are not chapters of novels. They should not be read one after another, as if they were meant to follow along. Read one. Shut the book. Read something else. Come back later. Stories can wait.” The perfect bedside book to dip into in the evening.

Marcel Proust, I suspect, would have appreciated her style it being so involved with the characters response to their time, place, and each other. Regardless, I certainly did. I am only a short distance to the finish and I am savoring the experience not wanting it to end.There are few authors I would ever say that about, Proust was one, even after finishing the last volume, I still found myself restarting the first one before accepting the reality. I feel much the same way about Mavis Gallant's wonderful stories.

These stories will not disappoint in the same way that a collection of Chekov or Kafka short stories don't disappoint. Cutting to the quick of human nature in a short piece is not an easy thing to do. It demands both honesty and skill. So many short stories are formulaic which leaves an artiificial taste in the mouth like a cake mix cake. These stories rend the heart. The things one is actually thinking, that story-telling stream of consciousness is accommodated with such accuracy it amazes. No story in this collection is to be taken lightly as a quick read.

She's the best writer I've ever read...and she lived in Paris for 60 years (more than I, in this life). I can read stories I've recently read thoroughly again and again. The writing is that stupendous.

Looks to be a good read, just started. Looking forward to more.

SURELY NOT FOR A SINGLE SITTING. A RICH TREASURE TROVE FOR MANY READINGS.

Always a good read.

If there have ever been better short stories written, I have never read them.

This is a rare hard cover collectible edition containing quite a lot of stories by one of the best authors known. The stories said to be autobiographical in nature

Nice !