Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Recent Short Story Collections


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Cover art for SUDDENLY, A KNOCK ON THE DOOR
FICTION
Released: April 3, 2012

"More like bits and sketches than stories, from a writer who is often very funny and inventive, and occasionally profound."
Stories about storytelling from a young Israeli author. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LIVES OF THINGS
FICTION
Released: April 4, 2012
translated by Giovanni Pontiero, by José Saramago

"Though some of the stories work well on their own, the collection will mainly interest those already very familiar with the author and his novels."
This slim collection of early, experimental stories represents a footnote on the career of the Nobel Prize–winning novelist, who died in 2010. 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 THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN
FICTION
Released: April 9, 2012

"Skibsrud's economical, poetically aware stories reveal a writer comfortable with the form, and one who requires her readers to think."
Connection and enlightenment are sought and occasionally experienced in a first collection from Canadian poet and Giller Prize–winning novelist Skibsrud (The Sentimentalists, 2011). 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 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 >