The O. Henry Prize Stories 2002

By Cleo Qian

Book Overview

2002

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385721625
• ISBN13: 9780385721622
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A mixed bag

According to the editor of PRIZE STORIES 2002: THE O. HENRY AWARDS, thousands of short stories from hundreds of magazines were painstakingly reviewed in an effort to compile an anthology of the year's best in stort story fiction. This year twenty stories made the list while three of them were voted the best by the jurors Dave Eggers, Joyce Carol Oates and Colson Whitehead. I personally do not agree with the juror's selection of the top short stories, which is a clear indication of how subjectivity is involved in the process of judging literature. What is enjoyable to one person certainly might not be for another. I've been reading this analogy periodically during the past couple of weeks and I finished with mixed feeling. Some stories intrigued me while others were downright uncaptivating. In addition, a couple were so utterly strange that they could be episodes of the twilight zone!Out of this collection my favorite short story was A.M. Homes' "Do Not Disturb", which is a tale of a husband trying his best to emotionally deal with his bitter terminally ill wife as their marriage falls apart. I also enjoyed Anthony Doerr's "The Hunter's Wife" about how a husband deals with the supernatural powers of his wife in Montana. The reason why I didn't give this book five stars is because I believe that there are more losers than winners in this collection. But don't just take my word for it. Remember that the appreciation of literature is subjective. You just may love it!

It must've been a good year...

This collection includes the winners of the 2002 O. Henry Prize as well as fifteen or so of the stories short-listed for the awards. I enjoyed all of the stories in the collection though I didn't necessarily like the prize-winners best. Excellent book.