Hard to Be Good [Paperback]

Bill Barich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

The first short story collection from the acclaimed non-fiction writer contains eight stories, six of which were originally published in the New Yorker. From a mildly troubled adolescent who moves from innocence to experience over the course of a summer with his estranged mother (“Hard to Be Good”) to a former rock musician protecting himself against the bitterness of a failed romance (“Too Much Elecrticity”), Barich treats his characters with loving empathy and gentle humor. His eye for the specific and the delightful ease of his prose style allow him to find the extraordinary in the lives of ordinary Americans.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Barrich's first collection of seven short stories, which takes a look at the lofty standards people set for themselves, is not just good, but very good. The title narrative introduces Shane, a teenager spending a vacation with his ex-hippie mother and her third husband. Trying hard to behave, Shane nevertheless seems propelled, almost by fate, to end up in the local jail. In "The Guest," the behavior question is seen from another viewpoint. The owner of a small Italian guesthouse calls it "a victory for the forces of order" when he evicts an unruly guest. As time passes, however, he finds he misses the friendly chaos the man's annual visits brought. Barich (Traveling Light) has a rare ability to create quirky, likable characters with a few deft strokes. That, and the fact that his short stories are complete, compelling narratives in which problems proceed forward resolutions, make this collection especially appealing.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Barich has here collected seven stories, all but one previously published. In toto, the stories have a monotonous similarity, with casual character encounters and almost-immediate emotional/sexual involvements left underdeveloped by indiscernible plots with incongruous linkage. Critical questions arise: Does the omission of relevant cohesiveness suffice for adequate story development? Does the random insertion of six or seven short sentences indicate a purposeful flaunting of stylistic dissonance? Is it truly a conclusion when the words just stop? Barich's nonfiction (including Traveling Light , LJ 12/1/83) has received plaudits, but here he sinks abysmally into a creative quaqmire. Glenn O. Carey, Eastern Kentucky Univ., Richmond
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374526273
• ISBN-13: 978-0374526276
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,626,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Surprise, April 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hard to Be Good (Paperback)

The first two stories in this book were wonderful - beautifully crafted, warm and empathetic. The others were a little disappointing, but I'd say the first two stories are worth the price of the book.