Best New American Voices

The stories in these collections are always up and down, but it is always great to read the work coming from the writing programs around the country. While most are standard, workshop fare, they all show that flair for language and creativity that hopefully will push these writers on to bigger and better things. A few of the stories really shine, especially "Mouse" by Jordan McMullin. The story is melancholy and really captures some of forgotten anxieties that many young children feel when they are beginning to realize that world doesn't always come together the way they want it to. She also shows a great ear for dialogue and the writing itself is heartfelt with just the right amount of detail. Not all of the stories are going to be for everyone, but reading the work of fledgling writers can be rewarding, especially when you can find those small gems and enjoy them for the imperfection.

These stories are at times amateurish and flawed, but all of them have the kind of edge needed before maturation and polish. These early endeavors reflect the growing pains of great promise.

Best New American Voices: 2008 is good rainy day reading. The first story, "Alice" by Tucker Capps, really sticks to your ribs. The author forgoes the gritty and just does realism, which allows the reader to understand the main character more authentically. As someone is is not a literary critic, I found this book a good modern choice to round out my library of short story collections that otherwise tend to be classics.

Every annual collection of this title are great. They are a must read for aspiring writers and for those who enjoy the short story form. With this collection, we are witnessing the process of new writers honing their craft to near perfection. The different styles of story telling is what makes each story unique. Some insightful readers might even see that a few stories are a work in progress of a full length novel.

I was pretty bored with the stories, they're pretty much the standard american realism/new yorker/iowa workshop flotsam that nobody except other MFA students & instructors read. More people watch soccer than read serious literary fiction nowadays..... But all that being said, the last story, "no one here means what they say" by Mckinstray has an immense impact on the casual reader, it is well written and touching. I recommend buying this collection if only for that story. We will definitely be hearing from that writer again...