Female Trouble: Stories

Female Trouble is one of the most profound women's anthologies I've ever read. This collection of short stories has dark and profound subject matters. There are stories of infidelity, failed marriages, mother/daughter relationships and women's sexual prowess. Antonya Nelson is a rather talented writer with an obvious penchant for revealing women's emotions. The female protagonists are of various ages and economic backgrounds. There is something for every woman here. I can't recommend this wonderful book enough! Brava, Ms. Nelson, for revealing some rather profound truths with such unflinching honesty.

Nelson's perception and clarity in writing of complex, difficult issues is an amazing talent. Her prose are smart, witty, and feel deeply connected to each and every character. Nelson's writing is so in touch with language and emotion that the reader is transplanted into the world of the characters. A fantastic collection that cannot be put down until the end is reached.

These stories are wonderful, very well-written, sharply observed. Nelson has an eye for detail that is so right on, so observant, filled with an underlying snappy wit. All of these stories are very strong and will motivate the reader to explore her novels. Enjoy.

I very much enjoyed this collection of short stories. Each one had at least one phrase or passage that was so succinct, so perfect, almost an exact description of a feeling or thought that the reader probably thought he or she was the only one to have ever had. The characters are believeable, complex, 3 dimensional. Each story was a little package that I wanted to savor before going on to the next. A strong collection.

Antonya Nelson's other story collections are wonderful, but this new one, FEMALE TROUBLE, is by far the best work of her career. These stories are a little less cynical than those from FAMILY TERRORISTS, and her quirky humor and perfect prose still shine through. The National Book Award committee has, in the last few years, named story collections to their finalist group (Jean Thompson; Dan Chaon). If they're paying attention this year, Nelson should draw their attention -- there's no better short story writer in America today. Canada has Alice Munro; Ireland has William Trevor; we have Antonya Nelson.