Without a Hero: Stories

by T. Coraghessan Boyle

Paperback, 1995

Status

Available

Genres

General Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Publication

Penguin Books (1995), Edition: Reprint, 238 pages

Description

T.C. Boyle was first feted as a master of the short story for his critically acclaimed Greasy Lake. With these stories applauded by People magazine as "wickedly comical," he displays once again a virtuosity and versatility rare in literary America today. Without a Hero zooms in on American phenomena such as a center for the treatment of acquisitive disorders; a couple in search of the last toads on earth; and a real estate wonder boy on a dude safari near convenient Bakerfield, California. Sharp, guileful, and malevolently funny, Boyle's stories are "more than funny, better than wicked," says The Philadelphia Inquirer. "They make you cringe with their clarity."

User reviews

LibraryThing member Jamnjazzz

As with all his short story collection, Boyle creates many compelling worlds, characters and situations. And the beauty of short stories is that, although some may not pan out over the long haul, they are perfect for their own little niche of 15-20 pages.

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LibraryThing member booklove2

As usual, T.C. Boyle is phenomenal. No one else could write a story about football and make me care this much. This story is perfect! The stunners in this collection: 56-0, The Fog Man, Sitting on Top of the World, Big Game, Back in the Eocene, Carnal Knowledge. Second tier of greatness that I

can't not mention: Filthy with Things, Top of the Food Chain, Without A Hero, Little America. But as usual, I enjoy each story. And as usual, my least favorite stories are the ones that just don't contain enough detail for me. Over the last two years, I've read the entirety of the massive first collection of short story collections and I still want MORE. I think the first four of his short story collections descend in greatness, but only by a slim margin with 'Descent of Man' definitely being the favorite collection. Mr. Boyle, always the genius. I'm so glad he writes so much. If I could only read one writer's books, Boyle would be it.

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