Collects stories from his previous collections, so if you haven't read those you could just start here. Has three stories not previously collected andCollects stories from his previous collections, so if you haven't read those you could just start here. Has three stories not previously collected and two of them come last in this book: "Shiloh" and "Outlaws," which I think are two of his best stories. Imagine there is a logic to the arrangement of the stories, but I wasn't going to reread them all just to try to figure that out. Not chronological or arranged by collection, so he might be saying something by how they are ordered, might provide a different reading experience if you are inclined to read them in order....more
Rash has received more accolades for this collection but for me it is just so-so. In some ways his craft is so carefully executed at deep layers that Rash has received more accolades for this collection but for me it is just so-so. In some ways his craft is so carefully executed at deep layers that it takes all the edge away. None of the stories excited me in this collection the way some did in the earlier collections. I can marvel at the craft - his mastery of description, characterization - without having that wow, this is a great story moment. His endings might be a factor: quiet, vague. He's probably trying to be open-ended but a lot of them seem to end with a whimper. My favorite story was probably "Night Hawks," which had a bit of an edge to it. I liked the reversal in "The Trusty," however, just could see it coming from too early in the story so it felt flat when it happened at the end....more
I have pretty much the same thing to say about this collection as I did his earlier collection Chemistry. Some of the stories in this one received morI have pretty much the same thing to say about this collection as I did his earlier collection Chemistry. Some of the stories in this one received more recognition (two selected for BASS, and a third as a notable), but I didn't find those stories more elevated than the ones in Chemistry. Plenty of great moments in these stories and cumulatively this is a powerful collection, although none completely blew me away from beginning to end....more
Although none of these stories had me initially saying "wow, that's a great story," the collection as a whole punches way above its weight. Not a weakAlthough none of these stories had me initially saying "wow, that's a great story," the collection as a whole punches way above its weight. Not a weak story in the bunch. Rash's command of craft is impressive on all levels. Most of the stories turn on small moments that in isolation wouldn't necessarily stand out; it's Rash's treatment, his focusing, that elevates them to storyness. He makes those moments storyable. Reminds me a bit of Carver because these are moments of desperation where language often fails the characters. As readers we feel what they cannot say. Some stories take a moment of closure and build around and to that moment. Other stories just kind of end, with the closure coming, but then Rash takes it away in the concluding paragraph with an anti-closure move indicating that the story continues without us. This technique kind of fits with what Susan Lohafer termed pre-closure, the point where we don't need more from the story. Most writers continue beyond that point. Rash doesn't. Makes the stories linger in the mind afterward. Might also explain why he turns some of his stories into novels. The last two in this collection, for example, both were expanded into novels later....more
Interesting to see how Rash started, but I do prefer his later stories, although these have more humor. This edition includes a forward and an introduInteresting to see how Rash started, but I do prefer his later stories, although these have more humor. This edition includes a forward and an introduction, and Rash also added an opening and closing frame, which wasn't part of the original. Those colored my reading. It's a linked collection with three alternating voices. None of these really jumped out at me. Reading a bit too much like a writer to settle inside the narrative. The way the stories are structured caught my attention. Worth reading again....more
Full of tight, lyrical poems. Attention to sound, image, emotion and moments of intensity. Love the use of compound words (like Heaney). Bookmarked atFull of tight, lyrical poems. Attention to sound, image, emotion and moments of intensity. Love the use of compound words (like Heaney). Bookmarked at least a dozen of these, seem to add one more each reading....more
Probably destined to be a core reading in Appalachian studies. Lyrical and voiced from the perspective of mill workers. Rash also introduces his blendProbably destined to be a core reading in Appalachian studies. Lyrical and voiced from the perspective of mill workers. Rash also introduces his blend of Welsh inspired sounds and 9-syllable form. To my taste the whole is stronger than the parts. Bookmarked just three poems: "Preparing the Body," "The Stretch-Out," and "Plane Crash."...more
Gets repetitive because the interviewers keep asking the same questions and getting the same answers. Good insights into his exploration of Welsh poetGets repetitive because the interviewers keep asking the same questions and getting the same answers. Good insights into his exploration of Welsh poetic forms/sounds. His prose process sounds grueling; hard to tell if he's in the flow during those sessions, but the novels and short stories speak for themselves. Will be interesting if you are into Appalachian literature....more
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