Alice Munro suggestions

[Lykren]

I want to add Munro to my reading list (having had my curiousity piqued by her recent Nobel), but don't know where to start. Do any of her collections stand out? Thanks.

[Nick Capozzoli]

I read a short story, Child's Play, that I think was written by her. I liked it.

[JBI]

Who do You Think You Are is a personal favorite, given that it offers a full portrait of a character, and is her sort of experimentation with both short story and novel at the same time.

[Lykren]

Thanks, I'll check that one out.

[JBI]

She's an interesting writer in that she carries forward the rather strange Canadian genre of short story anthology (as prominent literature, in contrast to novels). There is a long sort of mix of connected stories found with female writers in Canada. I know Munro has personally said that she originally started with Short Stories because she was just too busy to write a full novel, and ultimately her later works border on short-novel length (or novella, or whatever term they use now).

Still, if you find her interesting, try to pick up some other Canadian authors, as there is more than just this one - she comes from a tradition which is often neglected outside of Canada (as does Margaret Atwood).

[mal4mac]

I just finished "The view from Castle Rock", a book length collection, and I'd highly recommend it. It certainly fits the pattern that JBI mentions. She goes back to 18th century Scotland to consider her forbears, and various members of her family from then till now. It's a very interesting use of "connected short stories" and autobiography.

[Nick Capozzoli]

As regards "Child Play," I really liked her writing. Fine descriptions, technically wonderful. I didn't like the main character's persona. I found that character morally repulsive. Of course that's just my opinion about the protagonist's character. Still a fine story.

[Der Wegwerfer]

I read a short story, Child's Play, that I think was written by her. I liked it.

I read this as well, amazing story, highly recommended!

I have Runaway , which is short stories, but I haven't yet jumped into it yet.