Sweet Talk: Stories

I was drawn to this book of inter-connected short stories by its excellent reviews. While the language was beautiful and rich, a certain emptiness pervaded. Life's pain is dealt with in a very controlled manner, like describing a conversation at an east coast dinner table in a manner constrained by midwest civility. Overall, the beauty of the language and the story narratives make this a good book.

Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog should be in every anthology. I was at a reception for Shannon Ravenel, the long time editor of the Best American Short Stories series (for about 17 years) and was fortunate enough to be able to speak with her for a few minutes. She singled out two stories from this collection (Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog & Dog Heaven) as genius. Keep in mind that the editor of the series reads about 10,000 (no exaggeration)/year and then consider how memorable memorable has to be. You should pick this book up immediately.

This is a collection of loosely connected stories about a young woman in contemporary America. All of the stories are outstanding, but one in particular, "Dog Heaven," is a masterpiece. I've read this story at least half a dozen times, and each time I read it, I'm moved to tears, and love it more. It's a story about a dog, of course; but also a story of the friendship of three young people. American writers excel at the short story, and "Dog Heaven" is one of the best stories ever written by an American.

I read this collection of amazing stories when it first came out, and have just read it again, and the stories bite even harder than the first time! The stories are sad, tough, and funnier than hell. I wish to see another book published by this gifted Stephanie Vaughn. She has so much to say -- and says it so very, very well.