|
| Emperor of the Air | 
| Author: Ethan Canin
Publisher: Mariner Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $0.09
You Save: $13.91 (99%)
New (35) Collectible (1) from $4.04
Avg. Customer Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 359889
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.5 x 0.5
ISBN: 0618004149
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
UPC: 046442004145
EAN: 9780618004140
ASIN: 0618004149
Publication Date: September 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Crafted Collection of Stories March 19, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is one of the best short story collections I've ever read, docking just below the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Raymond Carver as the most crafted collections of stories in my experience.
-- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens
Short Stories told through others eyes February 2, 2007
Emperor of the Air, a great book of short stories. I enjoyed the different characters he was in each story. This book is an easy read, easy on the eyes and easy to put yourself into each of the characters life. This book leads your imagination to the place and time of each story. (Nicole Lake Peekskill, NY ) Author Rainy Day Poems and more 1 and 2
Tender & Makes You Think October 13, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed most of these stories. My only complaint would be that sometimes they came off with too strong an air of an MFA style. I found he was using an old trick: during conversations between characters he would intersperse actions with dialogue--"he said. he cut into the bread. he said. he buttered the bread. etc."--blending them together in a forced kind of way. An effective tool when used well, but distracting when relied upon too much.
Otherwise the stories were tender and subtle. Canin has a quiet voice that nevertheless comes through clearly--the story attunes our ear to the message.
If you liked the title story you'll probably like the collection. Not one of those has-only-one-good-story-in-it-and-the-rest-are-duds books. It's quality stuff.
Four stars.
LITERATURE LITE: ALL THE BIG WORDS, NONE OF THE SUBSTANCE September 27, 2004
1 out of 11 found this review helpful
This book is the literary equivalent of paint-by-numbers. You know how when you see a comedian totally bombing on stage, all of his jokes eliciting only stony, derisive silence, and you yourself actually start feeling embarrassed for him? That's exactly how I felt as I read this book - I was embarrassed for the author. Canin takes no chances in any of these stultifyingly dull stories, stooping instead to crass emotional button-pushing and Hallmark card sentimentality. It's actually a staggering accomplishment that Canin could put this many words to paper without at least accidentally coming up with an interesting turn of phrase or substantial insight. Obviously written with an eye toward publication, mass-market success, and tv movie script adaptation, this is the most mediocre, Establishment-pandering book I've ever read. The thing that sets it above and beyond most bad books is that while Canin can obviously write, he's got absolutely nothing to say. I mean, most people have at least one good story in them, you know?
Despite (or because of) all that I give "Emperor of the Air" five stars. I firmly believe everyone should read this book as an example of what not to do when writing a book.
Simply Wonderful May 21, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one book that by some stroke of luck I plucked from the shelf at the library. I am a fan of short stories, and usually favor simple ones, Raymond Carver comes to mind. The stories in this collection were poignant, heart-warming tales of family and love. I had never heard of this author before finding this book, but I will certainly look for something else that he has written.
|
|
|
Wildlife, nature and the Environment
Sponsored Links
Learn how to get your own Amazon Book shop | |
