Short Stories Books

This book was purchased as part of a study prior to a production of 'A Fiddler on the Roof'. It proved invaluable by providing background to the way of life and conditions during the period of the musical play. Since it is the 'base work' for the musical there can be no better reference for director, actor and all the cast.

A set of short stories - some lifeless, some fairly amusing. Much to my surprise, I found Aleichem's other stories to be livelier than the Tevye stories. I especially liked some of the stories with surprise twists, such as "It Doesn't Pay To Be Good." (If I told you the twist, it would of course spoil the surprise!)

I really enjoyed the entire book! The ones associated with Fiddler on the Roof as well as all the others. These stories gave a more in depth perspective of the Russian Jews and the pogroms that they as well as other targeted Russians had to endure. It showed their incredible strength, faith and sense of community that helped them survive. Thank you for a really good book! History at its best!!!

Hillel Halkin is a master translator. His translation of the Sholem Aleichem stories takes out what might be called a 'corny archaic ' element in some other translations.
Sholem Aleichem's humor and pathos, the non- ending dialogue of his Tevye with God, the Yiddish world of Eastern Europe now lost, the questioning ironic often tender tone, are all here.
Read and enjoy.

What struck me most about these stories, in addition to the sensitive and thoughtful translation and the wonderful Tevye character, is that they don't really depict the long-lost, static, traditional culture of the Eastern European shtetl (Jewish village). By the time Sholem Aleichem wrote these stories, the life of the shtetl was disintegrating. It was a transitional time, when emigration to America, the influence of Western culture, the pull of socialism and other radical movements, and many other forces were already acting upon traditional Judaism. Tevye, whose knowledge of Jewish sources is picturesque but not very deep, was one of the most knowledgeable people in his town. That pretty much says it all.

The Tevye stories are unforgettable, the "railroad" stories of more mixed quality. That is why I only gave the book four stars. Still, highly recommended.

I bought this book on the advice of a former friend, and I still can't get over the colossal waste of time I invested in it. I shudder to think that if I had died in a horrible accident while reading this book, it would have been the last thing I ever read.

Each piece stands as its own monument to drivel, but taken as a whole, this collection is a masterpiece of unbearable whimpers obliterating unwritten truths. You could learn more about love in a whorehouse. Or a crackhouse, for that matter. My god, whose idea was this wretched tome? And aren't there laws against this kind of tripe?

O.K., the piece by Michael Burke is a gem, but its luster is lost in this tar-black bucket of muck. And who invited that Edward Underhill guy to throw in his two cents' worth? That floundering piece is a miasma of asinine cliches unparalleled in the history of western literature. It would have made more sense to me if the writer (hah!) had presented it in Esperanto. If he is the same Underhill who works as a waiter at that little bistro on Lunt Avenue, he should focus on his tables and leave writing to those whose literary background goes beyond Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrappers.

That's the best and the worst, and the rest aren't worth mentioning, so I won't.

Anyway, buy this book. The Michael Burke piece is worth the few dollars. When you are done with that, maybe you can test my theory and translate Underhill into Esperanto. Just imagine - quantum literature in a universal language. The possibilities abound.

It's rare to find a collection of stories, poems and plays that keeps a reader as thoroughly involved as this one. Good writers that they are, the contributors to this anthology succeed in reminding us that love is a complex emotion, and that those who are touched by it can just as easily be redeemed as they can be destroyed. As with any anthology, some pieces remain in memory longer than others, yet all are worthy of one's attention. What's more, the journey from first page to last enriches both heart and mind. So much so that this reader awaits the Press's next release with happy anticipation.

It's difficult to find an anthology that has as much stopping power as this one. Reading it, I was impressed not only by the diversity of the authorial voices, but also by their veracity. Each story, poem and play seems to have come straight from the gut. What's more, the contributing writers help to remove our blinders; particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. Love, they argue, is nothing less than a battlefield on which each of us daily chances victory or defeat.Those seeking to enter the contest fully armed would do well to buy this book.

Anthologies are not my usual choice of reading material, but as this was recommended to me, I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. While I could not relate to some of the pieces here, I enjoyed the underlying topic immensely. The poetry, drama, and short stories were a good blend. The Thing About Love Is... an enjoyable and fast read, but has a peculiar lingering effect that required that I return to it for further exploration. It's a perfect book to read from the relative comfort and safety of your best chair, where you know that you can dip into the joy and angst of love and for once, walk away unscathed.

If your idea of love is limited to visions of puppies and balloons, The Thing About Love Is... probably not for you. In Polyphony Press' first effort, the heavy topic of love is tackled in gritty, gutsy pieces that cut to core of this complex emotion. Sometimes it's bliss, sometimes it's bizarre, and quite often it hurts, but regardless of its form, love is always intriguing. This anthology is in keeping with that notion. With a variety of styles and voices, the works featured here are unanimous in their ability to draw the reader in and keep him hooked. It is truly a great read that may challenge one's personal definition of love. Call it an enjoyable experiment in mind expansion!

Thirteen is my favorite book of all time. I have had it since it was published in 1975 and it has moved with me for 25 years and 11 moves! I have thought to streamline my life and get rid of some things, but this book is a necessity in my household! It inspires and comforts--it is a work of art!

As a child my sister and I spent hours looking at this book and taking interest at how the pictures changed from one into another. We never tired of it and to this day we have the story of the sinking ship memorized. It was a very intriguing book and very cleverly laid out with the 13 one- picture stores continuing on the 13 pages.

There's nothing else like _Thirteen_ in the whole world, and that's sad. Sad because such delightful watercolors and quirky "stories" are told in a wonderful way that one has to figure out on one's own. The book is simultaneously a puzzle, a picture book, a book of optical illusions, a book of stories, and so much more. Hunt it down and adore it; you'll know what I'm talking about.

My father gave me this book when I was ten (the year it was published) and it has been my most treasured childhood book since...into adulthood. Through countless moves, without conscious effort, this book has stayed with me, and always delights me each time I open it. It is always relevant in it's irrelevance...you will see. Now that I have a child and neices, etc. I have been trying to find it to give to others...I am amazed to discover through reading other accounts at Amazon that this "unknown" little gem has had such impact on other readers. If you can find it, hesitate not a moment - buy it and share it.

This picture book may be the cleverest ever created. "Thirteen" is 13 stories told simultaneously on 13 pages, each story told by pictures which change and evolve as you turn the pages. Many of the stories are circular or contain hidden surprises.

This is the book that I have given most often as a gift, not only to kids but also adults, who may enjoy it even more than kids!

I read this book many years ago in university and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced it as I would love to become familiar with these characters again, but am unwilling to pay the exorbitant prices that are being asked for these books.

I have always enjoyed Anne McCaffrey's science fiction, but she is as talented at writing regular fiction as she is with science fiction.

Three Women is three separate stories written by Anne McCaffrey quite a while ago. All three of the stories are markedly different, but all are very well written and quite engaging.

Ring of Fear is about Nialla Dunn, a young woman who has been on the run ever since she found her horse-trainer father murdered and she was raped by her father's ex-employer. She has disguised her looks and stays on the move by traveling from horse show to horse show to compete. Her only friends are her two horses Orfeo and Phi Bete and her cat Dice. Falling in love with handsome, mysterious Rafe Clery is the last thing she has planned...

The Mark of Merlin takes place during World War II and is the story of Carla and her big german shepherd, Merlin. James Carlylse "Carla" Murdock threw herself into her studies when she received the news of her father's death in combat. When she fell desperately ill, she was sent off to stay with her guardian, Major Laird, whom she had never met. Unfortunately, Major Laird had no idea that "James" was a girl. He also had no idea about how stubborn she was and how vengeful she would be when she discovered that her father was murdered in Europe...

The Kilternan Legacy is the story of Irene "Rene" Teasey, a recent divorcee with two hilarious twins, Snow and Simon. Rene is ready for a change when she hears that she inherited some property from an unknown great aunt in Ireland. Little does Rene know that she is going to have a major battle on her hands as real estate agents, sleazy land developers and her own family battle it out for her new property. Rene feels that she can deal with this, but she cannot understand why her great aunt hated Shay Kerrigan because she is beginning to fall in love with him...

Of the three stories, I enjoyed Ring of Fear the most and feel that this one is worth buying the book for. I also enjoyed the Kilternan Legacy, although there isn't really a lot of romance in that story, per se. I didn't care for The Mark of Merlin, but it was okay. All three stories are well written and have nicely developed characters and a clear plot. None of the stories are very long and they are all currently available in reprint editions, but you have to buy them separately, which gets to be pretty expensive. If you keep watch for a little while, you should be able to find a used copy of Three Women that isn't too expensive and this book is worth your time, especially if you have enjoyed any other McCaffrey books!

Three Women is one of my favourite books. A book that I can read again and again. These stories of three women each of their time gets to you. You are there and you feel you know them, you understand why they react to whatever happens to them as they do. You laugh, you cry, and you rebel with them - and enjoy their personal successes. The stories are finely balaced in drama and humor as the various characters are portraied with a great knowledge of human nature and a lot of self-irony.

Something about these stories has brought me back to this collection time and time again. Rafe and Nialla's story caught my eye when I read through the book in the library, and I immediately went out and purchased a copy! All three stories reflect this talented writer's development, and focus on times and places that are currently beyond our reach. These are tender, enthralling tales, and show that Ms. McCaffrey does not need fantasy worlds in order to spin a great tale!

I, like many, am a huge Anne McCaffrey fan. I've read almost every book she's ever written. Thinking this was a new book, I checked this out here on Amazon.com. Reading through the other reviews, I realized that this is an omnibus of three novels Anne has recently re-released.

Ring of Fear is a mystery, romance, and horse story about a young woman in the horse show business. Various catastrophes throughout the book all link back to her father's murder, which changed her life forever. She meets up with Rafe Cleary, who helps her to deal with all her problems, and plenty more happens before the book is done.

The Mark of Merlin is about a college student during WWII whose father (a colonel) was killed in questionable circumstances. Her father's will appoints Major Regan Laird her guardian, but Carla is eighteen years old and wonders why her father appointed the twenty-something and very aggravating Regan her guardian. Together with her dog Merlin, various army friends of her father's, and the Major, Carla has to puzzle out the mystery of her father's death and break a war-time crime ring.

The Kilternan Legacy is the only one of the three I haven't read (yet), but from the various summaries I saw it's about a recently divorced woman who moves to Ireland and finds love.

Anyway, you can find all of these novels separately on Amazon.com, so without having to go through the misery of finding a used copy of this, you can get everything that's included separately. Happy reading, McCaffrey gurus.

W.P. Kinsella is an excellent writer of short fiction. Many will know him as author of Shoeless Joe which became the movie Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition).

Kinsella also has written a number of short stories, relying on baseball as the theme, but with themes that are universal. This isn't the "get the big hit to win the game" story, but rather baseball as a metaphor.

With any collection, the question of best and worst short stories come up. Particulary strong is the opener "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon" which deals with a prophecy that the next pennant that the Cubs win will be the last pennant that any team ever wins -- a prediction that still hasn't been tested since this piece was penned in 1984.

The collection also closes strong with "The Thrill of the Grass" dealing with the baseball strike and a populist secret revolt against artificial turf -- a methphorical return to purity.

Excellent work. Kinsella is truly a master writer.

My brother told me about W.P. Kinsella in 1984 and I've been a huge fan ever since. I've read everything I can find by him, starting with "Shoeless Joe" and this might be my favorite book of his. He has written at least three collections of baseball short stories and this is easily the best.

Most of the stories are not so much about baseball, it's more a case of using baseball as a background and common thread to tie the stories all together.

These are the kind of stories you can read over and over again. One of my favorites was the story about the fans who decided to turn the latest player's strike into a chance to replace astroturf with real grass. With the stadium shut down for the strike, they came in and returned the field to a natural state. I've always thought that when the players strike they should strike to get rid of astroturf; a cause many fans could get behind.

I don't know of any baseball fan who would not enjoy these stories.

A collection of baseball stories - or rather, stories involving baseball and baseball players in some way. Kinsella is at hist best when he stays close to earth - hopeful bush leaguers, women trouble - but tends to go way over the top when he tries to involve more "magic" (in his own words) to the game and the story. The Iowa Baseball Confederacy suffered from this problem, and so do a few of the stories in this collection. But when his "stories aren't about events, they're about the people they happen to", he has a wonderful touch. Some of my favourites in this collection are "Drive me to the moon", about a Rookie leaguer and his affair in a one-horse town in Canada, "Barefoot and pregnant in Des Moines", about a big league star and his marriage. Some of these stories are true gems and fully warrant the five-star rating; others are filler, but then even the most classic games have their straightforward 6-3 groundouts.

W. P. Kinsella writes with poignance and wit, capturing both the humor and the occasional tragedy of the game. This collection displays some of his best work.

My alltime favorite among this collection is "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon." In the wake of the Cubs' collapse this fall, a work like this has real prescience and is somehow reassuring that there was a higher purpose behind it all.

Still, there are other strong stories in the mix. In one, the narrator is offered the chance to trade places with the recently-killed Yankees catcher Thurman Munson. Another, more whimsical story takes you inside the clubhouse of the 1951 Giants, as a surprisingly literate team debates whether The Greaty Gatsby is an allegory.

For me, "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon" is reason enough to buy this book. In the wake of the 2003 NLCS, I feel a dire need to read it . . . repeatedly.

Kinsella is short stories. Period. I started reading this book as an average teenager who hated baseball, sports and those who played them. I come away from it, my opinions about "jocks" shaken. If you do read it, look for the themes of desolation, failure, dreams, and a "grief cycle" which is really Kinsella's Theory of Life. Extradonairy....beyond description.

In Xavier Benoit's story, TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY, readers embark on a journey of one man's self-discovery as he juggles his career, romantic relationship and the temptations he faces. Malik Standish is a sports journalist about to start a new job assignment which will enable him to secure stability in his relationship with Angel Mychals so they can begin to plan their future together. This new position has him trotting all over the United States following basketball great, James Dollar in his farewell tour before his retirement. Not only does Malik get to travel with the team, he gets to experience the perks of ball players such as fine dining, great parties and lots of women. Not heeding the timely advice of James Dollar, Malik gets caught up in situations that jeopardize his job, his relationship with Angel and even his life.

Angel loves Malik, but the betrayal by her first love two years prior has left her insecure and distrustful. In Malik she has found a man who is charming, handsome and also adheres to her religious convictions of abstinence. However with Malik's new job opportunity, Angel's fears threaten to destroy their relationship and it doesn't help that her first love returns and has her questioning whether she is really over him. Angel must decide whether she wants to continue to push away the man who has stolen her heart or overcome her insecurities.

This novel skirts the edges of Christian fiction because there are inspirational passages used as well as spiritual realizations that occur for the characters. However, the author ensures the characters actions are true to the situations. The author tells the story from the viewpoint of the main characters alternating chapters in doing so. This should enable readers to relate, empathize and really connect with the individual characters, but this unfortunately does not happen. Instead of the characters jumping off the pages, they are one-dimensional and lack enough depth to garner a more emotional attachment. For example, at the most trying time in the relationship for Angel, readers don't get to struggle emotionally through her turmoil instead there is a paragraph of her not going to work and sleeping. Although this novel has a good storyline it lacked fluidity. It seemed to jump around instead of having a natural flow that led to its climatic conclusion. This was due in part to the several subplots involving some of the minor characters. Although the main characters are not perfect, Malik as well as Angel must learn from their mistakes and hold true to their faith in order to love and live a better life. The story is generally engaging, it just needs the skilled hand of an editor to polish its flow and give real conflict and feelings to the characters.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I am very impressed by the arrangement of this book. Not only does this book inspire me...it blessed me with ability to relate to certain situations in the story...and then bringing everything back to the Word...I will read this book again and again...I will definitely continue to advise all race of life to enjoy a wonderful book and I look forward to Xavier's next book.

Very proud of you

This is an amazing book. It captivates you and stimulates your imagination. It has been a very long time since I have picked up a book that I did not want to put down. I could not wait to share this novel with others. Kudos to you Xavier, a job very well done.

I've read this book twice and Im still finding new laughter in each chapter.Its an easy read and it holds your attention from cover to cover.

I loved Xavier's first novel. It was everything that I could have asked for in a book. It was truely a delight for me to read and I am looking forward to seeing much more from this author.

I had this collection of short stories thrust on me by one of my favorite ex-students when I was complaining that "there was nothing new good to read". She told me to stop whining & give it a try & I am VERY glad that she did. From the funny-but-heart-wrenching title piece to the wonderful portrait of Darwin in heaven (he is doing just fine until he is joined by a totally Tiggerish Richard Feynman!) Whitty never misses a beat. I read the whole book in one sitting & am waiting for more with some impatience. These are short stories for Thinking People who still have a sense of humor!

wow! I loved this book. Julia Whitty is an artist. She paints these lush, passionate, mysterious gems. I found her weaving of nature, characters and story telling so compelling I couldn't put it down until the end----and even then I didn't want the spell to be broken. She is so orginial and so touching. Please, somebody tell me she has another book coming out soon.

wow! I loved this book. Julia Whitty is an artist. She paints these lush, passionate, mysterious gems. I found her weaving of nature and chacters and story telling so compelling. I couldn't put it down until the end and even then I didn't want the spell to be broken. She is so orginial and so touching. Please, somebody tell me she has another book coming out soon!

I read novels and non-fiction, I don't like short stories and rarely read them. Well . . . that was true untill I picked up Julia Whitty's short story collection, A Tortoise for the Queen of Tonga. What caught my eye was the title (being a tortoise lover all my life) but what captured my intrest and kept me reading was Whitty's unusual weave of people, animals and beautifully rendered scenes of exotic places. Whether viewing ice age art in a French cave with The Story of the Deep Dark or under the Antartic ice cap with Jimmy Under Water, I was so completely involved with the stories that I didn't want them to end. These ten stories with Whitty's unique outlook on life and nature have captured my heart and introduced me to fantastic short story writing. I look forward to her next collection and hopefully a novel soon.

A Tortoise for the Queen of Tonga is that rarest of birds: a first collection of short stories that educates as well as entertains. Whitty's extensive familiarity with the natural world make each one of these stories sprout from the page and root in the mind like well-tended plants. From Antartica to Africa to Tonga Whitty carefully guides us through subtle dramas where flora, fauna, and homosapiens try to co-exist in a world that is both sad and almost unbearably hopeful. A wondrous find.

From a 10 year old girl: I loved this book! It was nice reading about how other girls live. It gives me courage to tell people about me and my life - and to write my own story.

This was an awesome book! I can't recommend it enough. The true stories inspire you to believe in yourself. If you need a break from fiction, try this book of TRUE stories that happened to real girls! You will laugh, cry, and say "I can't believe that actually happened!" Try it for yourself! You'll be glad you did!

I gave this book to my 9 year old daughter for Valentine's Day and she finished it the next day. She isn't a big reader, but she couldn't put this book down. She liked Real Beauty from American Girl and I decided to try this one. I hope AG continues on this theme.

I became so inspired by this book that I'm considering volunteering for a few organizations this summer. The stories that these girls shared was amazing. I even saw one of the girl's stories on TV in the news about a month ago! They prove to you how small things can make a big difference. They started small, and many got famous for what they did, inspiring many other girls to follow in their footsteps. Something as simple as reading to a group of kids in a hospital makes a huge difference, and it will always delight you to see smiles brighten up their faces. :v)

hi its me again I got that book 2 days ago and this is one of my favorite books they have sad,funny,happy, and scary storys there so good that I read this book about 5 to 6 times a day I recomend this book to tweens and preteens. have a nice day

Villa Fair is a wonderful collection of stories that have common universal themes integrated in a multicultural context. The themes of love, identity, tradition versus modern beliefs are woven well in stories such as Ackee Night in Canada, Segovia's Stories and Driving Through Red Lights. These three stories had characters of mixed heritage. Thus it was quite interesting to read how these themes were developed from a different cultural perspective. These stories were even more interesting because the endings were unpredictable, yet believable. Ms. Dyer writes very well. Her poetic and lyrical style engrossed me in her stories. I enjoyed the stories immensely and look forward to reading more from her.

This sometimes whimsical, sometimes mystical, sometimes nostalgic, and always poignant collection of short stories, is definately more than "fair". Bernadette Dyer skillfully navigates the immigrant experience, which is the common thread that weaves it's way through this great collection. It's colourful characters grab hold of your heart, and leave you wanting more. My personal favorites are "Driving Through Red Lights", and "Remebering Serge". Ms. Dyers voice is obviously steeped in memory, passion, and a rich and diverse family history, which act as jumping off points for her vivid imaginings, which she shares with us in brilliant detail. A definate must read for short story lovers.

Great book. The author took me through an adventurous travel too several different countries and cultures. One moment I felt I was on the beach with Roberta and the next I could see myself sitting on the porch at Villa Fair looking over the land. My favorites were Villa Fair and Blue Door. The author causes you to become emotional for these characters, so much so, it makes you want to reach out to them. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because I wanted more in the Blue Door and Villa Fair. I loved this book and have gotten similar responses from my book club following our review. We are looking foward to future publications from Ms. Dyer.

From the Library in Toronto where she works to the neighborhood in which she lives, Bernadette Dyer sees much go by representing Toronto's multicultural panoply. This clearly inspires many of the takes in "Villa Fair," her collection of short stories. Other tales in the book are the germinated seeds of her own multiracial, multiethnic Jamaican and Portuguese Jewish ancestry. The people in her stories mirror her own ancestors --emigrés from somewhere else, establishing roots in new lands, living through generational conflict fueled by the meeting of old with new, yet influencing the host country and/or culture which is richer for it, and will never be the same. For example, there's Kamla, the twenty-three-year-old Indian-Canadian narrator of "Driving Through Red Lights," in love with a young Canadian man, while promised to an arranged marriage with someone from India. A surprise ending has Kamla's parents and aunt facing cultural change on two continents. In "Segovia Nights," Carlos Fernandez captivates his listeners with legends, reinvented stories about a mythical family and past. The tall tales are indicative, however, of a far deeper problem. One senses that the author and librarian in the story are one. Jomo, from "An African Out in the Cold," is lost, then found again while visiting Toronto, as, unknown to him, his host has suffered a heart attack. His isolation and cultural shock are palpable. Then there are tales coming from the richness of the author's Jamaican memories. The story "Man Man" dances back and forth from spirit world to "reality," as the ghost of a drowned seven-year-old boy moves comfortably among the local people of a plantation, until a new anglo mistress comes to stay. Another from the Jamaican collection, "Ackee Night," show how a much aggrieved woman, whose man has threatened idly to leave for years, calls on a Jamaican culinary secret to keep him permanently from other women -- and herself. The ending takes the reader by surprise. The title story, "Villa Fair," also catches one off guard, yet this reader felt puzzled by its sharp, unredeeming ending. Is Thunder, the chief male character, destroyed as a punishment for straying from his promise? Does the exotic, the magical always win out over the more conventional path? "Leaving Faro," the final tale, is a paean to Dyer's Portuguese Jewish ancestors, who fled to Jamaica to escape persecution. The mythical and the magical touch many of the stories. "Close the Blue Door" tells of mermen who lure their chosen loves to disaster, while in "Six Little Sparrows," the same number of Pakistani children and their mother shape shift into the title. The author's Jamaica and Canada are pulsing, vibrant settings where her characters don't want racial barriers to exist. Her families are strong and loving, evidencing the blurred lines of racial identity. Several of the stories, such as "Man Man" and "Roberta on the Beach," satisfy in their present form, yet would benefit also as longer fictional works, with some of the characters developed further. "An African Out in the Cold" seems a fragment, and one wishes for more. "Villa Fair" is an entertaining collection of well-told tales. We await future works with interest.

(originally reviewed in Halapid, Vol. VIII Issue 2, Spring 2001)

Jamaica and Canada are the backdrop of the thirteen short stories contained in author Bernadette Dyer's "Villa Fair." The characters in the book are of various ethnic backgrounds and classes.

Of the thirteen stories in the book there were two that stood out in my opinion. These two stories are entitled "Driving Through Red Lights" and "Roberta on the Beach."

"Driving Through Red Lights is about Kamla, the child of Hindu Indians who have immigrated to Canada. Kamla was born and raised in Canada therefore she know more of the western culture than she does of her Hindu heritage. This is something that causes her parents great stress. Tradition states that women should marry fairly young, so at twenty-three Kamla is considered an embarassment and disappointment to her family. Tradition also states that the marriage must be arranged.

One day Kamla's aunt Rashna comes to visit from Bombay, India and she announces that she has found someone to marry Kamla. Kamla's husband-to-be, a future doctor, is named Lachman Ramsingh. He will come to Canada in two months to claim his bride and take her back to India. She does not want any of this, she wants to marry for love and live in Canada. The many twists, turns, and emotions make this a very enjoyable and touching story. As a reader I felt drawn into the story.

"Roberta on the Beach" is the story of the Douglas family, a poor working class family from Montego Bay, Jamaica. They are a family of ten, with eight children: Slim, Caleb, Sheila, Georgina, Elaine, Lorraine, Maggie, and Roberta. Roberta is the oldest girl in the family. When she turns eighteen and graduates from high school Roberta is contemplating her future, when fate intervenes. Roberta's aunt Melanie, who is her mother's sister, has written a letter advising her sister that she would like to provide a college education for one of her children. Roberta's parents quickly decide to give Roberta the opportunity of a lifetime. Little do they know that this decision will alter the course of their family forever. "Roberta on the Beach" is a good lesson in family and the strength that families must have to survive.

"Villa Fair" was a good read. The stories were good but not great. "Driving Through Red Lights" and "Roberta on the Beach" were excellent and if these two stories were complete books I would definitely read them. On the RAW scale this book is a 3.5.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

This is an excellent collection. For me, it doesn't quite equal its predecessor, Virgin Fiction, but even so, it's great. The concept of publishing unpublished writers remains compelling, and Virgin Fiction 2 confirms that people nobody ever heard of are out there writing great stuff.

This collection probably contains more solid, great stories than the first book, but also seems to have more of the meandering, obscure kind, and it lacks a brutally magnificent work to equal "the end of the beltline" (Tony Carbone's piece from Virgin Fiction).

"Normalcy", by Kristi Coulter, is the standout in my opinion, with "Sushi" (by Heather Swain) fairly close behind and "The First Old" (by Melanie Conroy-Goldman) next. "Tourist Trap" opens the book with disturbing cynical humor and a hint of political statement. The disturbing part is continued in Michelle Richmond's "Fifth Grade: A Criminal History" and the humor nicely revisited in Michael R. Carleton's "Conversations with a Moose". "Midnight Trash" (by Brian Farnham) is short but very nicely done, and "Family Vacation" (by Lauren Grodstein) is good as well.

The only pieces that offer the refreshing experimentation that made "the end of the beltline" such a landmark in the first collection are "If I Were Lemon Pie" (by Scott Werve) and "Backdated" (by Lisa Johnson). The former is mildly experimental but the story is gripping; the latter is wildly experimental, but the strange structure obfuscates the meaning somewhat.

In the end, I can't help but see this collection as a slight come-down from the first one, but that still leaves it in the highest tier.

Incidentally, Rob Weisbach Books seems to be defunct, and the Virgin Fiction Contest, which was intended to be an annual competition, appears to have disappeared after only the second year. Having seen the amazing work which the first two years produced, I am very disappointed to see this happen, and I hope that the contest will be revived in the future.

It's called Virgin Fiction because the writers collected in it have never been pulished, not because Abby is a dirty girl (no comment). This collection of short stories is excellent... most of them were really, really good. And they were pretty short. To qualify for the contest your story had to be under 7500 words, so that makes it easy to read one or two in between classes or whenever you have a spare moment (definitely appealing to me). I really enjoyed this book... I want to read the first one, but I'm not allowing myself to buy any more books. I have plenty on my "to-read" list here. My favourite of the bunch was probably "Sushi" by Heather Swain, but it's hard to pick a favourite because so many were good.

Virgin Fiction 2 offers a fantastic read for those who enjoy some of the different forms and experiments fiction can assume. Humorously ironic stories like "Conversations with a Moose" and "Tourist Trap" provide an effective contrast with--and context for--the more seriously reflective stories such as "Pretend I've Died" and "Behind Sharp Branches." Very few of the stories in this collection are plot-driven, which is refreshing in my opinion; most pieces focus on careful character development and interaction in which small events can motivate larger character metamorphoses. Skillful examples of this occur in "Family Vacation," "Youthful Offenders," and the most interesting and provocative piece, "Scarecrowed."

If this book is any indication, there is hope for the future of writing in America. Though, like most anthologies, this book is somewhat uneven none of the stories here are throwaways. Picks of the litter include the short and haunting "Midnight Trash," and the brillantly spun, fantasy web of an unhappy housewife in "Alice's Ground." At least half of the storys in this book could easily stand toe to toe with any year of the "O'Henry" collection. No doubt some of these writers will soon enough find there way there. A definite must read for fans of the short story.

It's nice to know that some things don't change. This anthology brings us lots of good, new voices telling us what it's like to maneuver through the weird emotional/intellectual maze here at the turn of the new century. At the same time, there's come good, classic stuff here -- heartache and confusion ... family and loss. I really connected with thsi book. I think "Family Vacation" and "Backdated" are the real stars here, amid several other good gems.