In the Walled City

In the Walled City: Stories by Stewart O'Nan
Grove/Atlantic, copyright 1993

Trade Paperback , 170 pages
ISBN-13: 9780802138545

short story collection

http://stewart-onan.com/

Very Highly Recommended

Description:

O'Nan's collection In the Walled City features twelve stories that delve into the lives and souls of an astonishing range of characters, from an old Chinese grocer to a young policeman separated from his family and descending into madness. Intimate and generous, these stories brilliantly illuminate the connections that bind us and the obligations and sorrows of love.

My Thoughts:

The Stewart O'Nan fan club is back in session.

I finally read his short story collection, In the Walled City, and it was exquisite. O'Nan was the winner of the 13th Drue Heinz Literature Prize for this collection of twelve stories.

In the twelve stories, O'Nan's well crafted characters are all average people facing some physical or emotional upheaval or turning point in their lives. For some of his characters there is a glimmer of hope; others face a bleak, tragic future; some are just plodding along, seemingly unaware. They are all searching for a direction and meaning to their lives. Every character was memorable in some way. Every story left me wanting more.

Very Highly Recommended

Stories included:
"The Finger"

"The Third of July"

"In the Walled City"

"Calling"

"Winter Haven"

"Finding Amy"

"Mr. Wu Thinks"

"The Doctor's Sickness"

"The Legion of Superheroes"

"Steak"

"The Big Wheel"

"Econoline"

Quotes:

"The Finger"

Sundays, Carter saw his wife and baby. It was not his decision and not Diane's either, they just went along with it. pg. 3

He did not want to believe his cynicism anymore; he was tried of living for himself, and liked to think the chill between them would - like everything of importance, unspoken, an understanding beyond argument - miraculously thaw. pg. 6

"The Third of July"

When Reverend Smiley asked if anyone had room in their heart for a brother in less fortunate circumstances, willing to work for his keep, Mr. Lawson was not what she had in mind.

It was not that he was black or that he was a bad worker. He worked hard. The problem was that he was distracted. pg. 26

"In the Walled City"

They had been through it before, in the past had fought to unsatisfying draws whose terms acknowledged his desire and her distaste. pg. 45

"Calling"

While she knows they are going to lose the farm, Nadine can't imagine being thrown off the land with nothing to their name besides the pickup. But it is true, she thinks, that is exactly what is going to happen. pg. 57

"Winter Haven"

I'm living in the guest room off the kitchen so Sandy the realtor can show the house looking nice. The furniture's here; Eileen only took the kids. pg. 65

"Finding Amy"

Annie Marchand finds the mitten at the foot of the drive. Amy has a runny nose and shouldn't be out too long. pg. 73

"Mr. Wu Thinks"

Mr. Wu understands their concern while noting in it a kind condescension. None of them says, "Learn the language," but he has overheard others. He realizes the importance of mastering this new system of communication and the effort he alone must make. pg 87

"The Doctor's Sickness"

Doctor Markham loved Monday morning and the start of another workweek. pg. 97

"The Legion of Superheroes"

Larsen did not give up on God until well after the divorce, and by then he was seriously collecting comic books. pg. 111

"Steak"

Sheila ignored the two tens on the table in front of her. She did not want steak, and John's insistence on buying dinner for his parents annoyed her. pg. 121

"The Big Wheel"

The EMT's took the girl first. They were both women, crisp and confident in their uniforms. He took a dizzying drink of oxygen. The mother - Mrs. DeLuca - was telling them how he had saved her little girl. pg. 136

"Econoline"

Willie T. saw the van on his way home from the bakery. pg. 149