Edited by Rob Spillman
Barnes & Noble link
(I'm breaking with tradition: I normally don't review things after reading another review, in fear of plagiarizing... but it's time to subvert!)
If it weren't for the wonderful magazine Bitch, this book's existence would've never been made unto me. Already hurting to read more works by female writers, this collection not only appealed to that but also for the draw of big names. I've read Rikki Ducornet's The Fountains of Neptune (a recommendation from a creative writing professor) and am currently reading Karen Russell's excellent Swamplandia! and the collected stories of Lydia Davis. Thanks to this book, I now have a list of fantastic writers to check out.
Of course, it is what it says on the package: this is a collection of eighteen stories from Tin House (a respected literary magazine from Oregon) of surrealistic stories written by modern writers who happen to be female. Each story explores commonplace ideas in odd situations. As an example: in Lucy Cornin's "The Entire Predicament" explores domestic ideals and ignorance of modern crises, all the while a woman is bound and gagged, hanging upside down from the ceiling. First loves and feral children are featured in the long but poignant "The Wilds" by Samantha Hunt.
I had too many favorites, but keeping it a bit small... here are the three best:
- Kelly Link's "Light". The story centers around Lindsey, a hard-drinking Florida native, who works for a warehouse that stores sleeping people. Besides the interesting occupation, the story is filled with wonderful, drawn-out characters and great conflict.
- Gina Ochsner's "Song of the Selkie". A lighthouse keeper falls for a selkie, later having two daughters together. When the selkie vanishes into the night, the family struggles to move on. It is poignant, yet so achingly beautiful in its storytelling and the theme of understanding one's instincts.
- Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum's "The Young Wife's Tale". Women of all time dream of a legendary man, a king from a distant past that fought beasts and rescued maidens. One particular newlywed becomes obsessed and entrapped in the dreams of the strange man. The idea is well-executed and the main character is well-written and easy to relate to.
If there were any problems with it, it would be that the collection's awesomeness didn't kick in until around Lydia Davis's stories. After that, it is consistent. (Miranda July's "Oranges" has to be my least favorite of the entire set, next to Aimee Bender's "Americca". It wasn't just that I didn't understand what was going on, neither of them stood out as excellent. Maybe they're better with novels?)
As a collection, it is a wonderful idea and put together very well. I hope that Tin House does more anthologies like this, especially focusing on female writers and unconventional themes. Anything to show that women can write about anything just as great (and maybe even better) than the men.
If you're hurting (like I was) for great fiction by female writers, pick this up today. Fans of the late, great Angela Carter will feel right at home, just as the contributors had when putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). And why not learn who's who of the new literary scene?
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