Assorted Fire Events: Stories [Import] [Paperback]

David Means (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Fourth Estate; New Ed edition (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007137567
• ISBN-13: 978-0007137565
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,198,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Means, an internationally acclaimed fiction writer, was born and raised in Michigan. His second collection of stories, ASSORTED FIRE EVENTS, won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction and earned a National Book Critics Circle nomination. His third book, THE SECRET GOLDFISH, received widespread critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story prize. His fourth book, THE SPOT, was selected as a 2010 Notable Book by The New York Times, and won an O. Henry Prize. His books have been translated into eight language. His stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, The Best American Short Stories, The Best American Mystery Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and numerous other publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Great Collection, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Assorted Fire Events: Stories (Hardcover)

These are beautiful and original stories. They show philosophical and religious depth--so are not to be read lightly. They lead the reader to personal reflections on the meaning of life. At points Means made me think of Thomas Wolfe--then I thought they really are the work of an American original Franz Kafka. It's about time! Is that possible in this culture?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read for Fans of the Genre, October 2, 2000

By 

mike p. (Cincinnatti, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Assorted Fire Events: Stories (Hardcover)

A very good compilation of stories. Mr. Means seems to have a particularly acute perception of the downtrodden and the seamier episodes of life. The author seems to be at his best--when he describes (in graphically illustrative language) the most despicable of scenarios. I like this book--because I like the grittier side of life. This author is very adept at capturing these dark moments.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very exciting collection, September 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Assorted Fire Events: Stories (Hardcover)

David Means's work first came to my attention in Harpers Magazine. It was clear from the work I saw there that he was a force to be reckoned with, but I had no idea what proportions this impression would take on! I didn't know about the rest of his stories, the best of them having appeared elsewhere. I was very impressed, especially by the title story. An amazing achievement in belle lettres. If you consider yourself a reader of literature, David Means is a must. He is a master of the short story, the likes of which having not appeared in a long, long time; maybe not since Faulkner.