Customer Reviews

Flying Leap

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I saw Judy Budnitz do a reading at the Breadloaf writing conference this summer, (she read 'Skin Care' from Flying Leap) and I was pretty knocked out. Then I bought the book when I got back, and I'm just stunned. 'Yellville' is as amazing a story as I could imagine. (if I only could have imagined it) These stories are unlike almost anything else I've read by a contemporary writer - their startling invention, the sly depth of their wisdom, the humor and playfulness, the dead on dissection of the diseased body of society - yet for the caustic and sometimes grim wit, there's plenty of room for redemption - they're grounded in a firm sense of humanity. And man oh man, I can't remember laughing so much reading a book, and laughing so well.

I think that the stories in Flying Leap are very interesting. Some may think they are a bit twisted but I think being a teenager I can relate to some of the stories. Budnitz is a very good writer and I think her stories definitly have deeper meaning than what is written, I think of it as poetry rather than a book. I look forward to the next one!

Judy's stories are creative and clever in unexpected ways. I had to pace myself so I wouldn't finish the book too fast, each story was a treat that I looked forward to reading. Some of the stories are truly astonishing and disturbing. There is a wicked streak in stories like the cheerleader story and the first story was one of my favorites. It's definitely a book of stories you'll want to read again.

This is a fascinating collection of short stories and I thought it was interesting to see what can get a young author published. This collection, however, is by no means normal. Budnitz is definitely creative in her writing, and as I began the book (reading straight through) I found her stories very original and fascinating. By the end, though, I was left with this disturbing feeling that I just couldn't quite place... but perhaps that was her goal. Either way, this book is definitely worth a look, but not worth buying if you haven't already caught a glimpse of her style and know that you like it. As an aspiring writer I'm definitely glad that I own this book, as it shows a unique dimension of non-reality superimposed over our common world. From that standpoint it's very interesting to see how she pulls off these stretches. However, if I were to simply read these stories without taking an interest in her writing style, I'm not sure if I would have made it through the whole book. There definitely are a few remarkable and beautiful stories, such as "Flight" and "Directions", but some of the others just left me feeling ill.

I am an avid reader of short fiction, and I have to say this collection by this young writer is the finest I've read in the past several years. It is at once subtle and crazy, at once humorous and sobering, highly imaginative, and great fun to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates youthful, contemporary, literate literature.

My heart often sinks when I read contemporary short stories, if they seem stilted or overwrought; when I read "Dog Days" in this book, I had the opposite reaction-- felt lifted, freed. This is good, fresh stuff.

While I enjoy the young writer's style, I just couldn't connect with many of her stories. She's got an original sense of reality and the absurd, but I just couldn't care about any of her characters. Too bad. She's very talented.

I purchased the book on the recommendation of a writer's digest report. I read everynight and I love to read first time works. I usually find them fresh and origional. But I have never read anything like Judy. She is a remarkable and insightful young lady and I hope she will not wait long to publish again. I will be the first in line for her next work. Another review said "it leaves you wanting more." I find that an understatement. If you read this, thank you Judy for your commitment to excellence. It shows on every page.

Flying Leap is a wonderful, if a bit strange and twisted collection of short stories. The stories have elements of magic realism mixed in with some disarming storytelling. In this collection, you can read about people on a subway train in New York without making it boring or mundane. My favorite stories are "Train," "Yellville," "Directions," and "Old Country." Judy Budnitz is a dark, creative voice in short fiction and I look forward to reading more of her stuff.

This collection of short stories is amazing. I fell in love with many of her stories and it possessed me to buy her novel and Big Fat American Baby. I have not been disappointed so far.