The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, Shorter 7th Edition

This book has a lot to offer for readers. It contains works from a wide variety of authors and literary periods. The writings are intriguing and entertaining, especially for young readers. I'm using it for a college English class, and I look forward to my assignments each day.

"Great Falls" by Richard Ford This short story is told from the perspective of the main character, Jackie, who is a 14 year old boy living in Montana with his father and mother. The author states from the very beginning of the story that it "is not a happy story. I warn you." (Ford, 2006, p.285). So, from the very beginning the readers are anticipating some sort of tragedy and it grabs the reader's attention and keeps them interested as the story unfolds. Ultimately this is a story about infidelity and a child's perspective of his parent's relationship coming to an end. It is also a story that shows a coming of age for Jackie and an emotionally distant family dynamic, but the author does not make this obvious at first as he talks about hunting trips Jackie shared with his father. At the beginning of the story the author seems to mislead the readers. The readers know something bad is going to happen, and at first it seems like it might be a story about poaching. The author gives plenty of detail about Jackie hunting with his father, and even explains what he does with all the extra game he catches. It seems as though the story is leading up to his father getting caught for selling wild game, but as the story continues it becomes clear that something else is happening. This is shown by the conversation that Jackie and his father are having as they drive home after duck hunting. Jackie notices that his father is acting and talking a little weird, and Jackie knows something is up but he is clueless as to what it might be. The climax of the story takes place when Jackie and his father arrive home from hunting to find another man in the house. Jackie and Woody, the other man, go outside to talk while the father and mother talk upstairs. Jackie realizes what is going on now, but seems so emotionally distant. He does not seem upset, nor does the mother who just stands there calmly while Jack, the father, points a gun in Woody's face. The mother seemed very emotionally distant the whole story, and seemed to be someone who was always longing for adventure or something new. She got bored with her husband Jack, the small town, and being a house wife. Later when Jackie talks with his mother at the motel they both seem withdrawn and don't even have much to say to each other. This emotional detachment is perhaps part of the coming of age for Jackie. This story is a coming of age for Jackie. The main character Jackie is very changed by the end of the story. At the beginning of the story he seemed to be a carefree child who enjoyed hunting with his father, and going home to his mother. When his father asks him what he worries about he says "I worry if you're going to die before I do . . . or if Mother is." (Ford, 2006, p.288). This statement from Jackie shows that he is still childlike and attached to his parents. As the story progresses Jackie is changed by what he witnesses go on between his parents. He becomes aware that life is not what it seems to be from a child's standpoint; this is made clear when he says "I know now that the whole truth of anything is an idea that stops existing finally." (p.295). In this story Jackie leaves childhood behind and enters into young adulthood, although it is quiet abrupt and sad. Great Falls by Richard Ford is a dark story about a relationship coming to an end, and a child becoming aware that life is not always what it seems nor is it easy. The author keeps the audience interested from the very first line of the story, and does not make it apparent where the story will end up. The way the story is put together makes it exciting and pleasurable to read, and I would recommend it to anyone.ReferenceFord, R. (2006). Great Falls. In R. Bausch & R. Cassill (Eds.), The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction (7th ed., pp. 285-296). New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

A fantastic anthology with beautiful thin leaf pages. Great for English students and even short story lovers.

Average

It's nice to read short stories with their compact quick resolution and rapid character coloring. You don't want them to end.But watch out for Heart Of Darkness. It's longer than you expect.

The book is very clear, looks new. Very nice I loved it . And the book is really knowledgeable .

I bought this text for a class, and intend to keep it long after the class is over. The stories are interesting, and unlike a lot of short stories, are actually short. There is also a wide range of stories, so there is a good variety. It is somewhat hard to find the story you are looking for, but it just requires patience when looking at the table of contents.

Good

This seventh edition of Norton's anthology of Short Fiction is a boon for students of this genre, be they writers or readers. Supportive teaching in the art of writing literary critiques and fiction add to the array of stories from across two centuries by a diverse selection of authors. This book is a valuable addition to the bookcase of literary students and short fiction lovers.