The Best of McSweeney's, Volume 2
Edited by Dave Eggers
Hamish Hamilton, $116
'Few people in the world, outside our own country, give a rip about the short story,' writes Dave Eggers in the introduction to The Best of McSweeney's, Volume 2. He bases his generalisation on the fact the US publishes many more literary journals than other countries. His aim, then, seems to be to change reading habits and tastes worldwide. Unfortunately, this collection won't trigger many conversions. If thought went into placement of stories within the covers, however, Eggers did well to front the volume with The Ceiling, by Kevin Brockmeier. A simple story about the distance that separates some couples after years of marriage, it works on a subtle level that nags at the reader even after the story has ended. Another story about strained relationships is Do Not Disturb, by A.M. Homes, an honest depiction of why partners with irreconcilable differences stick around for a lifetime of unhappiness. Jonathan Ames' The Nista Affair and Jim Stallard's humorous No Justice, No Foul are two other highlights. Eggers points out that no one will appreciate all 16 tales. As it turns out, it was a few worthy stories short of a thumbs up.
