The Best American Short Stories

Brief Description: In his introduction to this volume, Stephen King writes, "Talent does more than come out; it bursts out, again and again, doing exuberant cartwheels while the band plays 'Stars and Stripes Forever' . . . Talent can't help itself; it roars along in fair weather or foul, not sparing the fireworks. It gets emotional. It struts its stuff. In fact, that's its job." Wonderfully eclectic, The Best American Short Stories 2007 collects stories by writers of undeniable talent, both newcomers and favorites. These stories examine the turning points in life when we, as children or parents, lovers or friends or colleagues, must break certain rules in order to remain true to ourselves. In T. C. Boyle's heartbreaking "Balto," a thirteen-year-old girl provides devastating courtroom testimony in her father's trial. Aryn Kyle's charming story "Allegiance" shows a young girl caught between her despairing British mother and motherly American father. In "The Bris," Eileen Pollack brilliantly writes of a son struggling to fulfill his filial obligations, even when they require a breach of morality and religion. Kate Walbert's stunning "Do Something" portrays one mother's impassioned and revolutionary refusal to accept her son's death. And in Richard Russo's graceful "Horseman," an English professor comes to understand that plagiarism reveals more about a student than original work can. New series editor Heidi Pitlor writes, "[Stephen King's] dedication, unflagging hard work, and enthusiasm for excellent writing shone through on nearly a daily basis this past year . . . We agreed, disagreed, and in the end very much concurred on the merit of the twenty stories chosen." The result is a vibrant assortment of stories and voices brimming with attitude, deep wisdom, and rare compassion. Table of Contents: Foreword ix Introduction by Stephen King xiii Louis Auchincloss. Pa's Darling 1 from The Yale Review John Barth. Toga Party 14 from Fiction Ann Beattie. Solid Wood 41 from Boulevard T. C. Boyle. Balto 55 from The Paris Review Randy Devita. Riding the Doghouse 75 from West Branch Joseph Epstein. My Brother Eli 85 from The Hudson Review William Gay. Where Will You Go When Your Skin Cannot Contain You? 113 from Tin House Mary Gordon. Eleanor's Music 127 from Ploughshares Lauren Groff. L. DeBard and Aliette: A Love Story 143 from The Atlantic Monthly Beverly Jensen. Wake 166 from New England Review Roy Kesey. Wait 194 from The Kenyon Review Stellar Kim. Findings & Impressions 208 from The Iowa Review Aryn Kyle. Allegiance 228 from Ploughshares Bruce McAllister. The Boy in Zaquitos 248 from Fantasy and Science Fiction Alice Munro. Dimension 268 from The New Yorker Eileen Pollack. The Bris 293 from Subtropics Karen Russell. St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves 325 from Granta Richard Russo. Horseman 341 from The Atlantic Monthly Jim Shepard. Sans Farine 365 from Harper's Magazine Kate Walbert. Do Something 388 from Ploughshares Contributors' Notes 399 100 Other Distinguished Stories of 2006 412 Editorial Addresses of American and Canadian Magazines Publishing Short Stories 416 Review Citations:

Booklist 10/15/2007 pg. 31 (EAN 9780618713486, Paperback)

Library Journal 10/15/2007 pg. 60 (EAN 9780618713486, Paperback)

Publishers Weekly 08/27/2007 pg. 59 (EAN 9780618713486, Paperback)

New York Times Book Review 09/30/2007 pg. 31 (EAN 9780618713486, Paperback)

New York Times Book Review 10/07/2007 pg. 38 (EAN 9780618713486, Paperback)

Publishers Weekly 08/27/2007 pg. 59 (EAN 9780618713479, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2007 pg. 882 (EAN 9780618713479, Hardcover)

Library Journal 10/15/2007 pg. 60 (EAN 9780618713479, Hardcover)

Booklist 10/15/2007 pg. 31 (EAN 9780618713479, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  King, Stephen Stephen King has written more than forty books and two hundred short stories. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story "The Man in the Black Suit."Contributor Bio:  Pitlor, Heidi HEIDI PITLOR is a former senior editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and has been the series editor for The Best American Short Stories since 2007. She is the author of The Birthdays and a forthcoming novel titled The Daylight Marriage.