Oooh this post is for me! I have such a hard time with short story collections! You're totally right...something that is more like a fragmented novel feels more exciting and impactful. These are all going on the list. Especially intrigued by the McCullers, Calvino, and Ogawa. Calvino's Cosmicomics has also been on my list for a while cause I've heard amazing things. The most successful collection in recent memory for me was Proulx's Close Range...didn't totally connect with every story, but the through-line of that rugged Wyoming-ness gave me lots of feels.
Good to know I'm not the only one with this struggle! It's like my brain doesn't like having to "reset" its imagination at the end of each story 😅. I haven't read that Calvino yet, but just glanced at the summary and I might have to add it to my tbr now... his work is obviously seen as Literary but I love how the books are also often weird & unconventional.
What an inspiring list (so much to add to TBR). I found Jamaica Kincaid's 'Lucy' in a charity shop yesterday and after reading your thoughts on her short story collection, I'm even more excited to read Lucy, and hopefully the rest of her work. The other authors are also high on my list to get to, though I admit I'm intimidated by Calvino!
Oooh this post is for me! I have such a hard time with short story collections! You're totally right...something that is more like a fragmented novel feels more exciting and impactful. These are all going on the list. Especially intrigued by the McCullers, Calvino, and Ogawa. Calvino's Cosmicomics has also been on my list for a while cause I've heard amazing things. The most successful collection in recent memory for me was Proulx's Close Range...didn't totally connect with every story, but the through-line of that rugged Wyoming-ness gave me lots of feels.
Good to know I'm not the only one with this struggle! It's like my brain doesn't like having to "reset" its imagination at the end of each story 😅. I haven't read that Calvino yet, but just glanced at the summary and I might have to add it to my tbr now... his work is obviously seen as Literary but I love how the books are also often weird & unconventional.
What an inspiring list (so much to add to TBR). I found Jamaica Kincaid's 'Lucy' in a charity shop yesterday and after reading your thoughts on her short story collection, I'm even more excited to read Lucy, and hopefully the rest of her work. The other authors are also high on my list to get to, though I admit I'm intimidated by Calvino!
Revenge was soooo good! The way it all connected was fascinating, I think about those stories all the time. Adding the others to my list!