I love the short story as a form. I am part of a writers group and enjoy writing short stories myself.
I’m looking for recommendations of great short story collections. Ideally funny ones.
For reference, I love most of the collections by George Saunders. 10th of December might be my favorite anthology, but Pastoralia and Civilwarland in Bad Decline are almost just as good. I wasn’t as big a fan of In Persuasion Nation and Liberation Day felt like he was rehashing old ideas.
I really enjoy Blindboy Boatclub’s, three anthology collections.
I loved Chuck Palahniuk’s two anthologies haunted and make something up. I feel like his writing works better in shorter format.
I loved the short story, Roy Spivey by Miranda July but having just finished her collection, No One Belongs Here More Than You, I wasn’t such a big fan. She has a terrific writing style but her stories all kind of blur into one for me.
I like stories by Simon Rich but they are often very surface level.
I’ve tried stories by Roland Barthelme, and find these to be very hit or miss. Some of them are amazing but some of them just feel like an exercise in style.
I’ve tried Kevin. Barry – doesn’t work for me.
I’ve tried Denis Johnson, not a fan.
So please recommend me some anthologies ideally contemporary. Ideally funny with some heart and depth. If I can get them on Audible, it’s a huge bonus.
by justanothernakedred