The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel

by Amy Hempel

Book Overview

Amy Hempel is a master of the short story. This celebrated volume gathers together her complete work -- four short collections of stunning stories about marriages, minor disasters, and moments of revelation.

With her inimitable compassion and wit, Hempel introduces characters who make choices that seem inevitable, and whose longings and misgivings evoke eternal human experience.

For readers who have known Hempel's work for decades...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743291638
• ISBN13: 9780743291637
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

As a collection stands this is excellent!

As with most collections, instead of selections, the work of the author can be somewhat marginal. I would say that the first two collections, " Reasons to Live," and,"At the Gates of the Animal Kingdom," show an author with extreme talent, yet is still in the midst of finding her voice. "Tumble Home," and ,"The Dog of the Marriage," really show you what Hempel can do. She's very original so I struggle with thinking of a name to compare her with. Hempels' work reads like poetry. She is imagistic. She can be called minimalist, but no other minimalist I know of can pack a life into so few pages, with such grace. And she is always, ALWAYS, funny. I will say that she is not for most, her work should be read more than once, as often enough the true beauty of the story will not be accesible the first time. If you love Nora Roberts then steer clear of the Hempel! A true enjoyment to read.

Pure narration.....

It's all in that word. If you like reading stories - every kind of story - this is THE book for you. Amy Hempel's writing style is simply perfect.

A Pleasant Surprise

I am embarrassed to say that before I read Amy Hempel's "The Collected Stories", I did not know anything about her. If Hempel's writing is considered "minimalist", she certainly manages to pack a wallop in the words she carefully uses. I would not classify Hempel's writing as "minimalist"; her view of the world from the inside out is powerful and intriguing. The stories frequently deal with grief and sadness. Each word is carefully chosen. The emotions that Hempel's use of language elicits are palpable and powerful: they often seem to strike a cord of unexpected and frightening familiarity. The book is expansive and the stories in this collection grow on you. To have all of these stories in one volume, the reader has the opportunity to witness the evolution and growth of a writer. Hempel's stories seem to grow sadder as she matures as a writer; but, at the same time they flower ever so beautifully as her perception deepens. As I was reading this collection I found myself anxious to return home from work so I can sneak another peek at one of these delicious tales. I am delighted to have found this treasure. I am dazzled by Hempel's art. If you buy this collection, you will not be disappointed.

Short and not necessarily sweet

Amy Hempel's short stories are short -- not because she doesn't have much to say, but rather she can say much in fewer words and with more impact. As I read through this collection, I became more aware of how she chooses her words and how deeply powerful they become. The simplicity and power of her stories are in their directness, and in re-reading several of them I was struck once again by a sense of wonder. Not all of them are sweet, but they will strike you in one way or another.