Collected Stories (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lynn Stegner (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a literary career spanning more than fifty years, Wallace Stegner created a remarkable record of the history and culture of twentieth-century America. Each of the thirty-one stories contained in this volume embody some of the best virtues and values to be found in contemporary fiction, demonstrating why the author is acclaimed as one of America’s master storytellers.

From the Back Cover

"Exemplary stories . . . The reader of Stegner’s writing is immediately reminded of an essential America . . . a distinct place, a unique people, a common history, and a shared heritage remembered as only Stegner can."
—Los Angeles Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Later printing edition (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143039792
• ISBN-13: 978-0143039792
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #339,337 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars LITERATURE WITH A BIG "L", November 19, 2009

By	Swubird "www.Swubird.blogspot.com" (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews

In his short stories, Wallace Stegner writes scenes and descriptions that come alive as if the reader were right there, looking and feeling and smelling the world of the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's, shaking hands with down-home people, making small talk and eating a home-cooked meal. In fact, they are so well written, his stories remind me of 3-D. When 3-D movies first came out people in the theaters screamed and ducked for cover as the characters on the big screen seemed to leap right out into the audience. They were that real. Well, that's the best way I can describe Wallace Stegner's writing. It's as real as it gets considering it's just words on a piece of paper. But those beautiful words leap right off the page.

There are thirty-one stories in this book of which the author says came from his life. However, it's not an autobiography. He says he can't be trusted to write his biography. To quote, "I can't control my impulse to rearrange, suppress, add, heighten, invent, and improve." The result of all that creativity is some of the finest writing you'll ever come across. And that's not just my opinion. It's the opinion of those nice folks who gave him the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Of course, I always have to give a plug for Penguin Classic books. Love their style.

This book is what Literature is all about. I give it five stars.