Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Fiction of 2012: Short Story Collections


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Cover art for DEAR LIFE
FICTION
Released: Nov. 13, 2012

"The author knows what matters, and the stories pay attention to it."
A revelation, from the most accomplished and acclaimed of contemporary short story writers. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE NEWS FROM SPAIN
FICTION
Released: Oct. 11, 2012

"Short stories don't get much better than this, and for once, the overarching framework strengthens rather than dissipates their effectiveness."
Elegantly structured, emotionally compelling fiction from novelist/memoirist Wickersham (The Suicide Index, 2008, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for BLASPHEMY
FICTION
Released: Oct. 2, 2012

"Whether recent or from his earliest period, these pieces show Alexie at his best: as an interpreter and observer, always funny if sometimes angry, and someone, as a cop says of one of his characters, who doesn't "fit the profile of the neighborhood.""
Sterling collection of short stories by Alexie (Ten Little Indians, 2003, etc.), a master of the form. Read full book review >
Cover art for THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER
FICTION
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"Not as ambitious as Díaz's Pulitzer Prize winner, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2007), but sharply observed and morally challenging."
From the author of Drown (1996), more tales of Dominican life in the cold, unwelcoming United States. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BOOK OF MISCHIEF
FICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"Stern weaves an intricate and clever web of stories steeped in both sacred and mundane Jewish culture."
"Mischief" is indeed the operative term here, for Stern's characters are subtle, slyly humorous and at times poignant. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE'RE FLYING
FICTION
Released: Aug. 14, 2012
by Peter Stamm, translated by Michael Hofmann

"For those who have an affinity for metaphysical fiction written with a surgeon's precision, this collection will spur readers to seek out everything else by its author."
Beneath the surface placidity of Swiss life, undercurrents of spiritual turmoil and existential despair charge this powerful collection of provocative stories. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAPPINESS IS A CHEMICAL IN THE BRAIN
FICTION
Released: May 7, 2012

"Emotionally unflinching stories of considerable power, wonder and humor."
A prize-winning poet (and MacArthur Fellow grant recipient) extends her literary mastery with a debut story collection. Read full book review >
Cover art for I AM AN EXECUTIONER
FICTION
Released: April 10, 2012

"An inventive, impressive and witty book."
A debut story collection from Parameswaran. Read full book review >
Cover art for AEROGRAMMES
FICTION
Released: April 5, 2012

"At every turn, James' prose is crisp, observant and carefully controlled; unlike the narrator of "Escape Key," who grows increasingly aware of his fiction's shortcomings, James projects a deep emotional intelligence."
A well-turned set of stories defined by emotional and physical separation, particularly in the Indian-American diaspora. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK
FICTION
Released: Feb. 15, 2012

"The author at his best."
Parables of emotional complexity and moral ambiguity, with lessons that are neither easy nor obvious, by a short-story master (For the Relief of Unbearable Urges, 1999, etc.). Read full book review >