Another great collection of short stories from T.C. Boyle. I really enjoy Boyle's writing and his short stories are marvelous. Boyle is one of my favorite authors and even though I prefer his novels, his short stories are some of the best that I have encountered. This collection includes some very interesting vignettes of life, some weird, some fantastical, joyful, and depressing. Some of my favorites:
"Big Game" tells what happens to a couple who have made money in real estate and want to experience what it's like to hunt big game in Africa. But instead of going on a safari in Kenya, they go to a mock African ranch outside of Bakersfield where the owner has an assortment of animals including zebra, lion, and an elephant. So what't the worst that could happen?
"Hopes Rise" poses the question: what could happen to the earth's environment if all the frogs and toads disappear? A couple hears of this possibility and try to find out more through lectures from scientists who can attest to this problem. But should they be worried?
"Filthy With Things" is about a couple who can't stop buying things and storing them everywhere in their house, garage, and yard. So what are the consequences when they decide to get help? Hoarding 101!
"Without a Hero" is a rather poignant story about a Russian woman who comes to America for the good life. But will the man she starts a relationship with give her what he wants? If not, what is her fate?
"Back in the Eocene" tells how schooling has changed. A father accompanies his son to his school where a policeman gives a lecture on the harms of drug use. The father contemplates about how when he went to the school they read the classics and learned about geology. But have the changes been for the worse?
"Carnal Knowledge" was one of my favorites about a man who gets involved with a woman who is a vegan and animal rights activist. He agrees to go with her on an excursion to liberate some turkeys two days before Thanksgiving with very unfortunate results.
The remaining stories were also quite gook and overall I would highly recommend this collection.
"Big Game" tells what happens to a couple who have made money in real estate and want to experience what it's like to hunt big game in Africa. But instead of going on a safari in Kenya, they go to a mock African ranch outside of Bakersfield where the owner has an assortment of animals including zebra, lion, and an elephant. So what't the worst that could happen?
"Hopes Rise" poses the question: what could happen to the earth's environment if all the frogs and toads disappear? A couple hears of this possibility and try to find out more through lectures from scientists who can attest to this problem. But should they be worried?
"Filthy With Things" is about a couple who can't stop buying things and storing them everywhere in their house, garage, and yard. So what are the consequences when they decide to get help? Hoarding 101!
"Without a Hero" is a rather poignant story about a Russian woman who comes to America for the good life. But will the man she starts a relationship with give her what he wants? If not, what is her fate?
"Back in the Eocene" tells how schooling has changed. A father accompanies his son to his school where a policeman gives a lecture on the harms of drug use. The father contemplates about how when he went to the school they read the classics and learned about geology. But have the changes been for the worse?
"Carnal Knowledge" was one of my favorites about a man who gets involved with a woman who is a vegan and animal rights activist. He agrees to go with her on an excursion to liberate some turkeys two days before Thanksgiving with very unfortunate results.
The remaining stories were also quite gook and overall I would highly recommend this collection.
Stories by the King of quirkiness and oddities
