Thirteen Stories [Paperback]

Eudora Welty (Author), Ruth M. Vande Kieft (Introduction)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: A Harvest/HBJ Book (1977)
• ISBN-10: 0156899698
• ISBN-13: 978-0156899697
• ASIN: B0013SJU8G
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,987,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here, Thirteen Is Lucky, May 24, 2000

By 

Mark Valentine (Port Angeles, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thirteen Stories (Paperback)

I know that Welty has several editions out of her stories. I know that these stories have been anthologized a lot ("A Worn Path," "A Wide Net," and "The Hitch-Hikers"). So it doesn't matter to me what edition of her stories that you buy, as long as you read them.

This edition is my first exposure to her collected stories (after I first read her autobiographical book, "One Writer's Beginnings") and I must admit that I am fascinated. She includes an incredible about in the settings, in the agile characterizations, and in her own unique, point of view. She is a master storyteller.

My personal favorites include "A Wide Net," "A Worn Path," and "Why I Sleep At The P.O."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to Welty's Work, December 5, 2001

By 

R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thirteen Stories (Paperback)

This is a representative collection of the late Eudora Welty's short stories. While Welty wrote several novels, including the entertaining Robber Bridegroom, her reputation rests mainly on her short stories. This collection contains many of her most famous stories and shows well the range of her writing. Welty was an extremely skilful writer who could vary her writing style from the lyrical to the concise. Welty's work seems to inspire dichotomous reactions; either rapture or dislike. I find her work interesting but not compelling. This book is an excellent means to decide whether or not you wish to invest the a significant amount of time in reading Welty.

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Welty's Best Works, May 18, 2009

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thirteen Stories (Paperback)

This collection of short stories by Eudora Welty contains two of my all-time favorite short stories: 'Why I live in the P.O.' and 'The Worn Path'. Not only have I read each of these stories several times, but I have listened to them on tape performed by the author. They have been so popular in my family that one of my children knows 'Why I Live in the P.O.' by heart and has performed it for us many a time.

'The Worn Path' is a poignant and tragic tale about a grandmother who is trying desperately to get medicine in time to save her grandson's life. 'Why I live in the P.O.' is a comic tale about a young woman who feels that she is not appreciated enough by her family so she leaves her home, moving to the post office where she serves as post mistress for her small town. The story is so funny that I laugh out loud every time I read it or hear it.

I can't say enough about the brilliance of Eudora Welty's writing. She masters tragedy and comedy both. This collection contains some of her best works.