Status
Available
Genres
Publication
[Amherst, Mass.] : Verse Press, c2002.
Description
"Fiction lovers who come to this book with an open mind will find themselves challenged and entertained by a brilliant writer with a very fertile imagination."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "When he turns to prose, this Pulitzer Prize-winning poet exhibits a surprisingly uncomplicated style."--Details James Tate seems both awed and bemused by small-town life in these forty-four stories full of legends, flights of fancy, tragedies, and small ruptures in ordinary existence. His narrators speak in an idiom that is odd and completely American. James Tate is the author of fourteen books of poetry and the recipient of numerous awards: fellowships from the NEA and Guggenheim foundations, the National Book Award, and the Pulitzer Prize.
User reviews
LibraryThing member BooksOn23rd
Most of these very short stories ended so abruptly it grated on my nerves.
LibraryThing member jphamilton
I fell in love with the poetry of James Tate a few years ago, and when I heard of this volume of his short stories, I quickly ordered it. Tate’s poetry is mostly written in a prose style, one that is most always unpredictable, wryly funny, often with a sudden aha twist at the end. I find his
His short stories were a lot like his poetry—strange and surprising. He had a spry mind that I will always treasure. I’ve read many reviews of his work, and it is not unusual to come across my favorite word, bizarre. Tate brought so much of life into his work, with politics sharing space with romance, absurdity cuddled up with the blackest of humor, with cold alienation suddenly entering the world of marriage, infidelity, and the many flavors of love. I love reading his work, never knowing where his words will take me, not seeing around the next corner, and not even seeing the next corner coming.
In the end, I’m sure to reread some of these stories, but thinking of James Tate will always lead my mind first to his poetry.
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humor supremely amusing, endearing, and wise, but I’m know for my bad puns—so consider the source.His short stories were a lot like his poetry—strange and surprising. He had a spry mind that I will always treasure. I’ve read many reviews of his work, and it is not unusual to come across my favorite word, bizarre. Tate brought so much of life into his work, with politics sharing space with romance, absurdity cuddled up with the blackest of humor, with cold alienation suddenly entering the world of marriage, infidelity, and the many flavors of love. I love reading his work, never knowing where his words will take me, not seeing around the next corner, and not even seeing the next corner coming.
In the end, I’m sure to reread some of these stories, but thinking of James Tate will always lead my mind first to his poetry.
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