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Best Fiction of 2012: Short Story Collections

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Cover art for WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK
FICTION
Released: Feb. 15, 2012
Kirkus Star WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK: STORIES
by Nathan Englander
"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 >
Cover art for AEROGRAMMES
FICTION
Released: April 5, 2012
Kirkus Star AEROGRAMMES
by Tania James
"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 I AM AN EXECUTIONER
FICTION
Released: April 10, 2012
Kirkus Star I AM AN EXECUTIONER: LOVE STORIES
by Rajesh Parameswaran
"An inventive, impressive and witty book."
A debut story collection from Parameswaran. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAPPINESS IS A CHEMICAL IN THE BRAIN
FICTION
Released: May 7, 2012
Kirkus Star HAPPINESS IS A CHEMICAL IN THE BRAIN: STORIES
by Lucia Perillo
"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 WE'RE FLYING
FICTION
Released: Aug. 14, 2012
Kirkus Star WE'RE FLYING
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 THE BOOK OF MISCHIEF
FICTION
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
Kirkus Star THE BOOK OF MISCHIEF: NEW AND SELECTED STORIES
by Steve Stern
"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 >