New York Stories

A good read. I enjoyed it.. It was well written and interesting.

When I was in college I discovered a wonderful literary innovation: The Dover Thrift Edition. This was a joyful discovery at the time because I was able to buy volumes of classic literature for just a dollar or two. The print was tiny, but I was young. Cram as many words onto that page as you can for $1 and I would devour it! All of the classics that I ever wanted to read seemed to be available and affordable. It was heaven to a young reader.

Now, fast forward over a decade later. Most of those Dover editions I read in college have been donated or passed on along with my old dvds, as I moved to a digital lifestyle and a lifetime of student loan repayment. Imagine my delight when I discovered Dover Thrift Kindle editions! Once again, I have classic literature at my fingertips in a well-organized, no-nonsense volume. New York Stories has the classic short stories arranged chronologically, beginning with Melville's Bartleby the Scrivener from 1853. The stories span over a century with one theme - they could only happen as they did, in New York.

This edition is a “who’s who” of literary fiction: Herman Melville, Stephen Crane, Edith Wharton, O. Henry, P.G. Wodehouse, Willa Cather, Anzia Yezierska, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, Edwidge Danticat, Junot Diaz, Lara Vapnyar, and Simon Rich. Some of the newer stories were new to me, and some I enjoyed revisiting. Thanks to my public-school education!

Thank you to Netgalley and Dover publications for providing me with a copy of this book and re-introducing me to the thrift edition of today. The great thing about reading classic literary works on a kindle is the built-in dictionary! Being able to highlight some of the outdated language is incredibly useful. For example: Bartleby’s narrator went about town and “…through the suburbs in my rockaway;” (that’s a carriage!), Stephane Crane and Edith Wharton both mention “Tenderloin” (not the cut of meat, it was actually the name of the red-light district in Manhattan at the time). I could go on, but I won’t, at the risk of embarrassing myself by admitting the number of times I had to highlight a word and access a dictionary or Wikipedia. It is as helpful as it is humbling to admit to how often I use it.

It’s always tricky to give a score to a volume of short stories. The stories individually range anywhere from 3 to 5 stars, but the theme of New York-based short stories in chronological order with a brief introduction before each entry is worth at least another star. Add to that the fact that you can buy a copy for only $4.50 list price, and I have to give this compilation five stars.

Fun exploration of a great city. With so many contributors, it is easy to find something for everyone, and you can skip that which you don't enjoy. Great for New Yorkers, former and current, and travelers or hopeful future New Yorkers.

I've never been to New York, but after reading these wonderful short stories I feel as if I have been. Such a treat to read!