Synopses & Reviews
Ron Carlson's stories come at us from all directions. Sometimes wicked or bittersweet, often zany, they are rich with a hard-earned hopefulness frequently absent in contemporary fiction. In this generous gathering from collections no longer available, longtime fans and new readers alike can savor the development of a master of idiosyncrasy. In "Blazo" and other equally poignant tales, men and women are challenged when things don't work out as expected. Other stories deal with surprising transformations--for a baseball player turned killer-by-accident, for a nineteen-year-old who experiences an unsettling sexual awakening. Here is a man accusing Bigfoot of stealing his wife, followed by Bigfoot's incomparable response. Not least of the treasures is "The H Street Sledding Record," a story perfect for family holiday reading, in which a young father "creates" the magic of Santa by throwing manure on his roof on Christmas Eve. Prepare to be amused, moved, and disturbed by stories that make a difference.
Review
"These stories are full of surprises, jolts, and lightning strikes of recognition. Do yourself a favor and read Ron Carlson." Stephen King
Review
"Carlson's offbeat, frequently hopeful stories stand out amid the starker work of contemporaries like Richard Ford and Tobias Wolff. He doesn't ignore life's rougher spots, though....For fans of short fiction, this will prove a treat." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Carlson is a master of the short story....Each of these 35 stories...is perfectly crafted and as involving as a novel....These are stunningly artistic stories suitable for all fiction lovers." Elizabeth Dickie, Booklist
Review
"High entertainment value distinguishes many of the 35 stories here....Though Carlson often nods, his best tales will endure, and shouldn't be missed." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[T]his hugely appealing selection is among the finest collections of short fiction you will likely encounter....[W]ry, generous, elegantly written stories....An important and inspiring collection." Library Journal
Synopsis
"These stories are full of surprises, jolts, and lightning strikes of recognition. Do yourself a favor and read Ron Carlson."--Stephen King
Synopsis
In "Blazo" and other equally poignant tales, men and women are challenged when things don't work out as expected. Other stories deal with surprising transformations--for a baseball player turned killer-by-accident, for a nineteen-year-old who experiences an unsettling sexual awakening. Here is a man accusing Bigfoot of stealing his wife, followed by Bigfoot's incomparable response. Not least of the treasures is "The H Street Sledding Record," a story perfect for family holiday reading, in which a young father "creates" the magic of Santa by throwing manure on his roof on Christmas Eve Prepare to be amused, moved, and disturbed by stories that make a difference.
Synopsis
In this generous gathering from collections no longer available, longtime fans and new readers alike can savor the development of a master of idiosyncrasy. Prepare to be amused, moved, and disturbed by stories that make a difference.
Synopsis
Properly celebrated for his range, Carlson offers us a rural sheriff who's wary of UFOs ("Phenomena"), a lawyer on a mission in remote Alaska ("Blazo"), a baseball player turned killer-by-accident ("Zanduce at Second"), and a nineteen-year-old who experiences an unsettling sexual awakening during an Arizona summer ("Oxygen"). Here also is a man accusing Bigfoot of stealing his wife, followed by Bigfoot's incomparable response. Not least of the treasures is "The H Street Sledding Record," a story perfect for holiday reading, in which a young father creates the magic of Santa by throwing manure on his roof on Christmas Eve.
About the Author
Ron Carlson teaches creative writing at Arizona State and lives in Scottsdale. His stories, much anthologized, have appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, Esquire, Playboy, and other magazines.
Table of Contents
Friends of My Youth: Introduction 11
The Governor's Ball 19
The H Street Sledding Record 28
Santa Monica 37
Olympus Hills 45
Life Before Science 50
Bigfoot Stole My Wife 79
I Am Bigfoot 84
The Time I Died 87
Phenomena 94
Milk 108
Blood 121
Max 129
The Status Quo 132
Hartwell 145
DeRay 158
Blazo 173
On the U.S.S. Fortitude 203
Sunny Billy Day 208
The Tablecloth of Turin 224
A Kind of Flying 228
The Summer of Vintage Clothing 232
Plan B for the Middle Class 242
The Hotel Eden 291
Keith 309
The Prisoner of Bluestone 326
Zanduce at Second 339
What We Wanted to Do 350
The Chromium Hook 356
A Note on the Type 371
Nightcap 384
Dr. Slime 398
Down the Green River 413
Oxygen 429
Acknowledgments 463