Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 4/3/2009 + 1183 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

I don't read a lot of short stories but this collection by Boyle was really great. His stories are some of the best I think I have ever read, comparable to Ray Bradbury and O. Henry. Many were almost Hitchcockian in atmosphere and theme such as "King Bee" about a very disturbed young man obsessed with bees and "Sinking House" about an elderly woman who turns on all the water in her house after her husband dies. Others were very comical such as "Modern Love" about a germ-obsessed woman who insists on making love using full-body condoms! Even though these stories were first published in 1989, they didn't really feel dated. I have really enjoyed several of Boyle's novels and I have to say that his short stories are just as marvelous. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Stories in this compilation:

Sorry Fugu
Modern Love
Hard Sell
Peace of Mind
Sinking House
The Human Fly
The Hat
Me Cago en la Leche (Robert Jordan in Nicaragua)
The Little Chill
King Bee
Thawing Out
The Devil and Irv Cherniske
The Miracle at Ballinspittle
Zapatos
The Ape Lady in Retirement
If the River Was Whisky

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