Friendly Fire

By Kathryn Chetkovich

Kathryn Chetkovich's stories detail the lives of women finding their way in a contemporary world where the traditional maps of love, family, and community are no longer particularly reliable. These... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877456437
• ISBN13: 9780877456438
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: University of Iowa Press
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Awaiting more Chetkovich

I read these stories years ago and still can't get them out of my mind. Chetkovich has the rare ability to completely transport a reader in the space of a brief paragraph. Often, she does it with one sentence. All I can say is, "More please."

First Rate Fiction

The work here is so strong, funny, insightful. She seems to only choose her best work for publication. All of it is top flight. This can hardly be said for so much that is printed and puffed up these days. She is great.

every story is a gem

I came across a Kathryn Chetkovich story in the Houghton-Mifflin annual collection of best short stories (1998 edition), and knew I had to get my hands on "Friendly Fire" as soon as I could so I could read more of her writing. And I wasn't disappointed -- all of her stories are beautifully crafted and have an wonderfully understated wryness and insight -- you will be delighted, amused, and often moved by the perfect turns of phrase that Chetcovich finds to illuminate even the smallest incident or observation. Can't wait for more from this writer.

Absolute Stunner

I consider myself a reader and am usually aware of all the new books coming out. I picked this book up having heard nothing about it. I sat and read the first story of this collection and before I was even done the first page I knew Kathryn was a discovery. This is her first book and she has me for whatever else she writes. These stories about real struggle and emotional entanglements of the family. Having grown children I loved reading them. I don't usually write these reviews ; I don't feel competent ; but it is a crime to me that I hadn't heard of this book. FRIENDLY FIRE is so WONDERFUL. When I think of the books out there that receive so much attention. Kathryn is a gem. Support her work and you will not regret it!

Good Words From Publishers Weekly!

"Chetkovich's sprightly prose allows an unusual display of character and situation in a few pages. Refreshingly robust, Chetkovich's stories have heart, action, and resonance. They announce a young writer who knows not only how to probe her characters' lives but also how to make them entertaining." 8/8/98