Winner of the National Book AwardThe publication of this extraordinary volume firmly established Flannery O’Connor’s monumental contribution to American fiction. There are thirty-one stories here in all, including twelve that do not appear in the only two story collections O’Connor put together in her short lifetime–Everything That Rises Must Converge and A Good Man Is Hard to Find. O’Connor … Hard to Find.
O’Connor published her first story, “The Geranium,” in 1946, while she was working on her master’s degree at the University of Iowa. Arranged chronologically, this collection shows that her last story, “Judgement Day”–sent to her publisher shortly before her death–is a brilliantly rewritten and transfigured version of “The Geranium.” Taken together, these stories reveal a lively, penetrating talent that has given us some of the most powerful and disturbing fiction of the twentieth century. Also included is an introduction by O’Connor’s longtime editor and friend, Robert Giroux.
more
If you love short stories and Flannery O’Connor, this collections is a hands down must. If you aren’t familiar with this Southern author’s works then take a look at this wonderful assortment of short stories. I first fell in love with Flannery O’Connor when I read her short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” The way the author uses words and imagery is amazing. I couldn’t believe the price on this wonderful anthology of stories. Excellent writing.
I have mixed feelings about Flannery O’Conner’s work. On the one hand, I am repulsed by the violence and cruelty of some of her characters. The misery depicted leaves me depressed. But in reading about her life and her thoughts on her own work, I have to admit, she creates memorable stories, shoving a mirror right in the reader’s faces. It’s rarely a flattering reflection.
Her writing is superb though, and her plots haunting. It’s much more fun to be distracted by a happy-ever-after story. But each story has a truth to tell. Not a happy one. But like a cautionary tale, perhaps her stories hold merit in warning humanity of our worst selves.
I absolutely love short stories, and Flannery O’Connor’s collection evokes the American deep south in all its gothic horror. She is a master story teller and observer of detail. Her characters are at once absurd, flawed, tragic and hopeful. She is of course writing about segregation and in-born racism from the perspective of a white female and therefore a position of privilege. She describes the abhorrent with an accurate honesty that absolutely must make any white person uncomfortable otherwise her stories are not doing their job. For anyone who wants to dig under the skin of what drives this distasteful undercurrent of American culture, Flannery O’Connor’s stories will open that door. Prepare to be disturbed. This is good fiction doing what it does best – questioning the society in which we live.
Review the incomparable Flannery O’Conner? I wouldn’t dream of it!
these stories will wake you up.
I read these stories many years ago. Not a happy read but engaging. She must have been a tortured person. Well worth the read.
These stories are hard work, but the payoff in insight and enjoyment is well worth the effort required of the reader.
Way back in 1969 our college English class read O’Conner’s “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”. I don’t remember much about 60s but I remember the story. It was/is hauntingly incredible, as are most, if not all, of her stories. Unfortunately Flannery was only 39 when she died. I often wonder what brilliance she could have accomplished with added years to her creative genius. I understand she is not for everyone. However, if you want to expand your reading universe and experience unique literature, read these stories by Flannery O’Conner.
The best of the best. all of her best stories compiled into one book.
The author writes well. But her characters are have no width. They’re small in their actions and thinking. I had to stop reading half way through the book. I have better choices in literature than to continually read her narrow minded language regarding African American people. Her language regarding Blacks is unfit to read. Her writing is not great enough to overlook her nasty attitude toward minorities.
I love Flannery O’Connor’s Southern gothic stories. These do not disappoint and combine humor and horror in an unconventional way.
Flannery created her own version of Southern Gothic fiction (see Faulkner, O’Toole, etc…) which is weird, wonderful, but always with a lot of heart! “Everything That Rises Must Converge” may be the best analysis of American race relations in the South, ever done in a short story.
The most horrific story I’ve ever read is “A Good Man is Hard to Find”. It diminishes over readings but the first time read, it is the scariest you’ve ever read.
Flannery is always able to bring about great dialogue among readers…