Five best books I read this year in no particular order:
Everything Matters- Ron Currie Jr.
This book took over my life for a few days. I was at the lake this summer, and the rest of my family couldn't figure out why I wouldn't leave the bedroom. It's so good, it hurts to read because it makes me face my own limitations as a writer.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter- Tom Franklin
I loved Poachers, Smonk, and Hell at the Breech, but Franklin's latest may be his best. Small town Southern gothic murder mystery wrapped in a dual past-present narrative. Did I mention the flawless writing?
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth- Kevin Wilson
Read this: http://www.greensbororeview.org/fall-2005/birds-in-the-house.html
Most of the stories are that good. Nuff said. If you want more, I have a more in depth analysis here.
We're in Trouble- Christopher Coake
Read my thoughts here. A stunning collection. Can't wait for this guy to write a novel.
Looking for Alaska-John Green
Much like Everything Matters, this book held me under its spell for a few days. I talked about it so much with my wife that she read it and even tried to get her book club to read it (no go; most of them had already read it and didn't like it).
Seek these out if you haven't already.
Showing posts with label kevin wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kevin wilson. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Story by story: Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson
I finished this highly accomplished collection today, and it's definitely one of the best books I've read this year. Here's the story by story break down:
"Grand Stand In"
9/10- This story was dark in all the right ways. Yet, like all of Wilson's stories, it had a heart beating strongly underneath.
"Blowing Up on the Spot"
8/10- What can you say about the story other than it's about spontaneous combustion and the main character works as a tile sorter in a Scrabble factory?
"The Dead Sister's Handbook: A Guide for Sensitive Boys"
8/10- Experimental story that features some of the most evocative language in the collection.
"Birds in the House"
10/10- Just a gorgeous story. My favorite of the collection.
"Mortal Kombat"
9/10- Wilson's scenes explode with awkward intensity in this one. Very moving.
"Tunneling to the Center of the Earth"
7/10- I loved the idea of this story before I read it, but oddly, the story itself fell a tad flat for me. Still enjoyable and well-written, but not quite up to the excellence of the rest of the collection.
"The Shooting Man"
9/10- A brutal little horror story.
"The Choir Director Affair (The Baby's Teeth)"
8/10- Second person done right. An emotional glimpse of how selfish people can be.
"Go, Fight, Win"
9/10- A girl trying not to fit in. Loved the echoes of Flannery O'Connor in this one.
"The Museum of What-Not"
10/10- I want to write a story this good. It seems like Wilson's characters are often holding themselves back, too afraid to fully participate in the world.
"Worst-Case Scenario"
8/10- This one really reminded me of George Saunders.
Overall- 9/10
I can't wait to see what Wilson does next. He's obviously got talent to burn.
"Grand Stand In"
9/10- This story was dark in all the right ways. Yet, like all of Wilson's stories, it had a heart beating strongly underneath.
"Blowing Up on the Spot"
8/10- What can you say about the story other than it's about spontaneous combustion and the main character works as a tile sorter in a Scrabble factory?
"The Dead Sister's Handbook: A Guide for Sensitive Boys"
8/10- Experimental story that features some of the most evocative language in the collection.
"Birds in the House"
10/10- Just a gorgeous story. My favorite of the collection.
"Mortal Kombat"
9/10- Wilson's scenes explode with awkward intensity in this one. Very moving.
"Tunneling to the Center of the Earth"
7/10- I loved the idea of this story before I read it, but oddly, the story itself fell a tad flat for me. Still enjoyable and well-written, but not quite up to the excellence of the rest of the collection.
"The Shooting Man"
9/10- A brutal little horror story.
"The Choir Director Affair (The Baby's Teeth)"
8/10- Second person done right. An emotional glimpse of how selfish people can be.
"Go, Fight, Win"
9/10- A girl trying not to fit in. Loved the echoes of Flannery O'Connor in this one.
"The Museum of What-Not"
10/10- I want to write a story this good. It seems like Wilson's characters are often holding themselves back, too afraid to fully participate in the world.
"Worst-Case Scenario"
8/10- This one really reminded me of George Saunders.
Overall- 9/10
I can't wait to see what Wilson does next. He's obviously got talent to burn.
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