Review: Super Sad True Love Story – Gary Shteyngart
First off, if you have any interest in reading Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart, do not read Lenny Hearts Eunice from the New Yorker. Unlike most excerpts,…
Franzenfury, Franzenfrenzy, Franzenfreude: Don’t Forget Picoult and Weiner!
I haven't read any of Jonathon Franzen's novels. The excerpt from his latest was okay, but excerpts are usually not that engaging to read. It's funny that there is all…
The Science of Flight – Yiyun Li – Concepts
"The Science of Flight" by Yiyun Li is a story driven by a concept: lies. The concept story is nothing new. Someone gets a cool idea in their head, and…
Dreams with Sharp Teeth – Harlan Ellison
If you're a writer, check out Dreams with Sharp Teeth. I don't care if you don't like science fiction, or you're wrapped up in your own genre of literary fiction. …
Second Lives – Daniel Alarcón – Point of View
"Second Lives" by Daniel Alarcón is a good story to investigate point of view and perspective. Why do we write from one character's point of view and not another character's? …
The Train of Their Departure – David Bezmozgis – Narrative Distance
"The Train of Their Departure" by David Bezmozgis depends on distance. Set in the late 70's and early 80's in the Soviet Union, the excerpt focuses on a love triangle…
Review: The Same River Twice – Ted Mooney
The Same River Twice by Ted Mooney begs you to put it down. It's a convoluted plot that relies on the reader not really questioning how interconnected all of these…
St. Louis Bike Friendly? Don’t Bet Your Bud On It!
Recently, in the St. Louis Beacon, there was an article about St. Louis being a bike friendly city, despite the high accident rate. No matter which way you spin it…
Blue Water Djinn – Téa Obreht – Structure of a Story
When I first started writing about short stories here, I intended to approach them more as a conversation on the craft of writing, and not a simple review of a…
1970’s Remake of King Kong by Kids
First, I love how this video brings my childhood back to me. Hours spent re-imagining favorite movies (Star Wars and Indiana Jones), and playing in nearby fields and woods. Second,…