Sweet Land: New and Selected Stories

Absolutely wonderful book. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but the writing shines and each story had me riveted. I have seen reviews complaining about the Midwestern flavour - nonsense ! These stories are about real people anywhere. I can only compare them to Anne Tyler's best work, but I think Mr Weaver writes even better. More, please!

Wonderfull story telling, wonderful stories of Minnesota farmers. I'm going back to the library in an hour to look for Red Earth, White Earth by Weaver and A Gravestone Made of Wheat and Other Stories. The rest of his books appear to be geared towards young adults. Novels and novellas Saturday Night Dirt (2008) Defect (2007) Full Service (2005) Claws (2003) Memory Boy (2001) Hard Ball (1998) Farm Team (1995) Striking Out (1993) Red Earth, White Earth (1986) Short story collections Sweet Land (2006) A Gravestone Made of Wheat and Other Stories (1989) WWJD Nonfiction Barns of Minnesota (with Doug Ohman) (2005) a picture book

I watched the movie Sweet Land before I read the story, A Gravestone made of Wheat, and I loved it. But after reading the 15 page story, I was wondering why in the world the movie director chose to interpret the story as he did. Seems to me he completely missed the essence of the story - which is as elegantly simple as Karen Blixen's Babette's Feast. The other stories are amazingly well written as well, but the idea behind "The Gravestone made of Wheat" makes it the jewel of the book. I love it!

I enjoyed all the stories in this collection. Great reading for relaxation in a hurry. Will reread them all.

Will Weaver - what an interesting writer! His word pictures and the way he presents his characters are intriguing. Each story in Sweet Land has a different flavor; some thought provoking and some hysterically funny! Our book club will be adding Will Weaver to our "must read" lists!