See Through: Stories

If you don't finish a book, how can you give a credible opinion on whether or not it is any good? Especially considering that in See Through, the best stories are in the second half of the book. "The River and Una," a story about two sisters, one young and buddingly innocent, the other voluptuous, depraved and deteriorating, is dark, fascinating and really well put together. It has the propensity to be a really kick-ass novel. "North Curve," about a prostitute, is dark and sad. "See Through" and "Memoir" are also beautiful, as all the stories are beautifully written and polished. Sure, some of the stories end kind of abruptly, but that's one of the challenges of the short story itself. Additionally, the diversity of the characters in these stories assures that no one can ever accuse Nelly Reifler of writing only from her own perspective/experience. These stories are definetly worth it, and you can enjoy them over and over again. When you give up on something or pass it up entirely, you're the one who misses out.

Reifler's beautiful first collection is original. Her stories are like photographs as seen through the eye of a painter. You see things you've never seen before. Angles and depths that are inventive and unique. There are at least three stories in here that are worthy of significant prizes. Reifler is the real thing.

These wonderful short stories indicate that literature (as opposed to just "writing") is not dead in the United States. Presented with a master's craft and an artist's profound understanding of the human condition, the stories in "See Through" made me laugh out loud, while at the same time wondering why I was not weeping for the characters in them, whose psychological and philosophical traumas are presented with such tenderness. Reifler is being touted as the cream of the current New York writing scene; perhaps, but to me she follows in the great tradition of American gothic writing, especially Carson McCullers.

Incredible variation from story to story. Unpredictable, yet linked is spirit and intensity. Gorgeous prose. Magical.