The Murphy Stories (Illinois Short Fiction) [Paperback]

Mark Costello (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (December 1, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252003098
• ISBN-13: 978-0252003097
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A slow and patient craftsmen, October 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Murphy Stories (Illinois Short Fiction) (Paperback)

I first came across one of the stories in this book in the Northon Anthology of Short Fiction. "Murphy's Xmas" is the sad story of a man whose life is at loose ends. His marriage splintering, his drinking is interfering with his teaching position and in the middle of this he is driving his wife and child to see Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas in DeCatur. Once home, he feels the way many young people do upon returing to the place where they grew up. An old despair, perhaps that you will never escape the place you came from (not to mention your parents' expecations) no matter how far away you move. This is not a happy book, but it is smart, evocative and understated--you either get it or you don't. I got it and I liked it. Mayonaise.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic voice, April 26, 2009

By 

J. Bosiljevac (san fran, ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Murphy Stories (Illinois Short Fiction) (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of taking Costello's fiction writing class at the University of Illinois back in the mid-90s. He was a great teacher, and I wish I'd known at the time how masterful a writer he is. I came across his story, "Murphy's Xmas," included in the NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY FICTION (it was also included in THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 1969). That story is the one which closes this 1973 collection.

The stories give snapshots of the life of Michael Murphy, a Midwestern Irish Catholic father, husband and drinker. Unfortunately, Murphy is most skillful at the latter. Each story gives us a glimpse into his life at various points, from his late teenage days to the death of his father, his strained relationship with his wife, several affairs and finally a heartbreaking Christmas where he realizes what he's ruined.

The prose in this book borders on poetry. And as troubled a character as Murphy is, it's hard not to feel sympathy for him. As much as he creates his own problems, and as selfish as he sometimes is, there's something very relatable in him. In 1994, Costello published a follow-up, Middle Murphy, which I look forward to reading next.