Open [Paperback]

Lisa Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2005

The only certainty in life, according to these stories, comes from the accumulation of moments that refuse to be contained. The stories in Open cover these moments, familiar territory in the hands of most writers, in unfamiliar ways. The interconnectedness of a bus ride in Nepal and a wedding on the shore of Quidi Vidi Lake; the tension between a husband and wife when their infant cries before dawn (who will go to him?) and the husband's wrenching memory of an early love affair; two friends, one who suffers early in life and the other midway through - these are some of the subjects Lisa Moore treats with her incomparable style. Drawing on vivid landscapes both interior and exterior, Moore splices together the sudden shocks and subtle realizations that enter her characters' lives, using the piercing imagery and soulful technique that have won her acclaim from critics and her many fans.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

This short story collection takes the listener to Moore's native Canada for glimpses at the extraordinary as found in everyday life. She shares scenes from marriages and friendships, putting the spotlight on pivotal moments when life truly happens. Following each tale are interesting musical and sound effects interludes, such as bells, trombones, and even sounds from a Havana bike shop. Each of the 10 stories is read by a single narrator, the best of whom is Mary Lewis. She brings gentle charm and subtle feeling to the collection's longest story, "Grace." Masterful at articulating dialogue without employing different voices, she lends appropriate emphasis to the serendipitous moments explored in the story. The stories are a great choice when listening time is limited. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: House of Anansi Press (April 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088784684X
• ISBN-13: 978-0887846847
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,065,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Original, but..., June 13, 2004

By 

kittytoug (Montreal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open (Hardcover)

This collection of short stories by Lisa Moore is quite original, emotional and intense in its own right. However, for me, it also comes down to style, and I just couldn't get a handle on the writing style chosen by the author. It is very clipped, one might even say "poetic", but it made it difficult for me to remain interested and read on.

If you don't mind this style, then you will surely enjoy these stories that have been praised by many reviewers.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great read, October 29, 2004

By 

pete - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open (Hardcover)

I found this short story collection by Lisa Moore to be very Comfortable. I love her writing style; short sentences, vivid imagery. Her words leave me with feelings, I never knew I could have. I loved this book. It always left me with something to think about. Great read.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cliche'd editorials in short story form., July 10, 2005

By 

Michael W. Graves "Tech Writer" (Burlington, Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Open (Paperback)

Pontificating from the short story is one thing. But to do it, you should at least be a good writer. I picked up this book on the suggestions of someone whose opinion I THOUGHT I could trust. Guess I was wrong.

The stories are transparent, the writing is choppy and reads like a fifth-graders English assignment and I guess she must have used her family for all the characters, because they all look alike to me (on paper, anyway). Don't waste your time OR money. Buy something worth reading.

I'm sure Ms. Moore is a very nice person. But I hope she hasn't given up her day job yet.