Last week Yiyun Li was named a recipient of a 2010 MacArthur “Genius” Grant. Li is one of 23 fellows who will receive $500,000 over the next five years.
One thing I like about this incredible grant is that it goes to people across many fields; this year’s fellows also include a sculptor, a sign language linguist, a population geneticist, an entomologist.
Here’s a bit more from the MacArthur website:
The MacArthur Fellows Program is intended to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations . . . Although nominees are reviewed for their achievements, the fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in a person’s originality, insight, and potential.”
Li has written three books: A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, a short story collection published in 2005; a novel, The Vagrants (2009); and her most recent collection, Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, published in September.
In the past few weeks I have found myself drawn to short stories written by women—collections that have become contemporary classics (Interpreter of Maladies, Olive Kitteridge), and it has been thrilling to discover Li’s writing as a result of her recent recognition. I have no doubt that Gold Boy, Emerald Girl will become a beloved work—BookPage, reviewer Lauren Bufferd describes Li’s writing as “formally rigorous and crafted with an elegance that harkens back to stylists like Chekhov and William Trevor.” She continues:
The title story is the masterpiece in the collection—an expertly crafted work in which a professor introduces her middle-aged son to her favorite student—an action that ignores the natures of both individuals, but also opens up their lives to the possibility of happiness.
This week we’re giving away one copy of Gold Boy, Emerald Girl. To enter to win, leave a comment with either your favorite short story collection—or the name of a writer who you think is a genius.
If you’re interested in Li’s biography (the author was originally trained as a scientist in China) watch her MacArthur video:
My favorite short story writer is Nadine Gordimer & her “Loot & other stories”–also Grace Paley. Amazing writers!
Beautiful well written prose.
My favorite short story collection was by Tracy Winn, Mrs. Somebody, Somebody. The fact that these stories all tied together made it extremely appealing to me.
The Lottery, or The Adventures of James Harris by Shirley Jackson. Everyone has read The Lottery or, at least almost everyone over 50. The rest of the stories are worth reading, too.
I still think Richard Bach is one of the visionary writers of our time.
short stories haven’t really been my choice of novels but in fact they should be so I don’t have a favorite.
sue
I don’t normally read short stories so no favorites.
Love Jeffrey Archer’s short stories.
My favorite short story collection is Mattaponi Queen by Belle Boggs- I just finished reading it and absolutely loved every story in the book!!
Love the short stories of Mark Twain, particularly those of his later years.
I like Bobbie Ann Mason’s short stories. Also Joyce Carol Oates has some good ones.
Maile Maloy
Both ways is the only way I want it
In high school we had to read short stories for 9 weeks and make a file of them. I read more Edgar Allen Poe than any other author and loved every one of them. His stories are truely a classic.
Tim O’Brien’s collection titled “The Things They Carried” ablout Alpha Company in the Vietnam War….
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon’s short stories to her “Dark Hunter” series!
I love the classics like Shirley Jackson and Poe. I have used their short stories to introduce my kids to quality reading. The short catches their attention and seems to lead to enjoying full length stories.
I haven’t read a lot of short story collections thus far in my reading career, but I did read a book of short stories written by one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner (The Guy Not Taken) and I thought they were very good, and I personally liked how many of them were connected by having some of the same characters.
A short story collection which is a treasure is one by Margaret Atwood.
Oh – I like Atwood too. She has some great short story collections. I heartily recommend her 2 latest books – Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood. If you haven’t read them – they are awesome!
A story collection by Joyce Carol Oates.
O. Henry is (was) the master of the short story!
Joan Didion
My most favorite short story is “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker.
My favorite short stories were all written by Arthur Conan Doyle as Sherlock Holmes tales. I don’t think I have read any that weren’t so alive that I felt I was there.
“Birds of America” by Lorrie Moore
Love many of those cited, especially Jpyce Carol Oates, but very drawn these days to Alice Munro’s tight fiction about women’s complicated lives.
Short stories = O’Henry. Also, although not, strictly speaking, short stories, “Living Out Loud”
By Anna Quindlen.
Echoing a couple others, I love Lorrie Moore’s “Birds of America” and Maile Meloy.
I read too much to name my favorite short story collection (Chekhov maybe). One writer I know is a genius is Jose Saramago.
“20th Century Ghosts” by Joe Hill
_By the North Gate_ was the first collection of short stories by Joyce Carol Oates that I read. I found the tension in her stories to be heart-stopping…can only read one or two at a sitting.
Wow! That was JCO’s first book she got published. I haven’t read that yet. I would LOVE to get my hands on a first edition of that book. Whoowhee! To think you thought her first book of short-stories was heart-stopping and it was written back in 1963. I think her books are amazing and heart-stopping today. I am going to have to find that book!
I love the short stories of Doris Lessing and of William Trevor.
Alice Munroe is my favorite short story writer, although I have also been impressed by Colm Toibin and Wells Tower
I don’t typically read short stories, but I’ll never forget In Our Time by Hemingway.
It’s hard to find a better short story than:
A MOTHER’S TALE by James Agee…engages the mind, emotions, and your spirit.
Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories are my favorite. Her writing in general, and her stories are no exception, usually involve a bit of a culture crisis within the same family. There is usually the older traditional Indian generation (mother and father) and their younger Americanized children. There is a constant pull between the two generations and within the characters themselves.
Not really a short story reader. Like the depth of novels. Great writers – Kenneth Follett; also Dianna Gabaldon.
Sad to say since he is no longer among us but I thought Stieg Larsson was a literary genius, his trilogy of The Girl…were sensational!!
Any of Joyce Carol Oates collections.
All right Sara! A woman after my own heart!
I don’t read a lot of short stories but would like to read more. I enjoyed UNACCUSTOMED EARTH by Jhumpa Lahiri.
My favorite story collection is Aimee Bender’s “The Girl in the Flammable Skirt”.
I just finished reading The Museum of Dr. Moses: Tales of Mystery and Suspense by Joyce Carol Oates. I loved this book of short stories because they were creepy! It is the perfect book to read right around Halloween. I also think Joyce Carol Oates is the ultimate writer – short story or otherwise!
I love all the short story collections by James Herriot.
The Kipling Just So stories were my favorites.
i rarely read short stories but on the other hand after reading all the comments i will give them a try…
Some favorites I read with my 9th grade students are O. Henry, Poe, and de Maupassant.
I had never picked up any of Alice Munro’s short stories, but one day I happened upon one of her collections and opened to a random story. I was blown away with the language and story. What she is able to accomplish in such an economical way is wonderful.
The problem with short stories is that they are just not long enough! However, I do read them sometimes and I enjoyed Tara Masih’s “Where the Dog Star Never Glows”
Two words- Steven Millhauser.
I have recently fallen madly in love with Haruki Murakami. I also read everything that David Sedaris writes.
I read ‘The Illustrated Man’ by Ray Bradbury in high school & have since read everything he ever wrote.
Alice Munro is a great short story writer.
Stephen King is still one of the best short story writers ever.
Refresh, Refresh by Benjamin Percy is a great collection of stories.
I love the author Sandra Dallas.
I think Rohinton Mistry is a genius author.
Don’t read too many short story collections but guess William Trevor writes a good one.
I like the Stephen King short stories.
love so many authors
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
Jodi Picoult has so much insight into today’s problems in her books.
Probably Stephen King for his short stories. Sometimes I can’t get into his novels, but usually always read the short stories. One of my very favorite authors is Anne McCaffrey.
I think Amy Tan is a brilliant storyteller.
T.C. Boyle is definitely a genius! thanks for the chance to win!
John Crowley has my vote. Little, Big, his sui generis masterpiece, redefines genius. It’s simply bewildering how little attention his work has received. His short stories (Novelties & Souvenirs) are awfully good, too.
John Grisham’s Ford County has kept me reading short stories
I like reading collections of mystery and suspense stories.
I really like Grace Paley’s sensitive portrayals of character.
Short stories by Stephen King are interesting!
Jeffery Deaver is a very good short story writer.
Read Roxanna Robinson’s Asking for Love collection. She has a new story out only available on Kindle in concert with Atlantic magazine, called Paralyzed.
I LOVE S. F. HINTON GENE
I ALSO LOVE BRIAN C. KELLY
As a collector I mainly focus on plains-western history. I run two used book sales- now for several years- one for our local historical society, the other at the church I attend for the local food pantry. So I am around lots of books and love book people.
Tobias Wolff is a great short story writer!
Richard Yates is also a great short story writer!
Jeffrey Archer has written several collections of short stories. Good reading!
Joyce Carol Oates is an amazing writer and she has a prolific collection of short stories to choose from…
How can anyone pick just one genius writer? Right here and now, I’ll name three Stieg Larsson, Sara Gruen and Diana Gabaldon. Their writing is different from each other, but all can be classified genius.
Well, ONE favorite collection of stories is Tim Gautreaux’s WELDING WITH CHILDREN, but I’m also in love with Chris Offutt’s THE SAME RIVER TWICE. You won’t go wrong with either one!
I loved A Good Fall: stories by Ha Jin and consider him a genius.
Thank you Yiyun! I have adopted Chinese daughters and love your stories about China.
Thanks!
Love Guy de Maupassant’s short stories!
I think Jeffrey Eugenides’ talent is unreal.
Dorothy Parker…very old school but always a good read.
My favorite short story writer is Laurie Colwin.
What a wonderful giveaway! I love the fact that you widen our horizons with such a vast variety of reviews and types of books.
I think John Steinbeck was a genious – “The Grapes of Wrath”! Wow! You can’t beat it.
Flannery O’Connor was both a genius and a short story writer. One of the very best we ever had.
I think F. Scott Fitzgerald was a genius, for The Great Gatsby. I also think John Updike was a genius for his “Bech” series and others.
Jules Verne makes me want to travel the world in 80 ways
Amy Hempel is a great story writer!
Ray Carver. Simply the best.
Oldy but goody – Willa Cather
Ray Bradbury is a GENIUS short-story writer. His “R is for Rocket” and “S is for Space” books got me hooked on science fiction at a very young age, and my life has been all the better for it.
Too many to chose from, but Pearl S. Buck will always be at the top of my list.
Daniel Handler is a genius, literary and otherwise.
too many authors to name
lovebeverlylewis
I agree with Tricia Douglas – Perl S. Buck is one of my all time favorites also.
Edgar Allen Poe – father of mysteries!
My favorite short story writer, at the moment, is Jhumpa Lahiri.
I loved the writing of Amy Tan – Joy Luck Club and Kitchen God’s Wife….Memories of a Geisha is another BIG FAVORITE book of mine….oh that story – just thinking of Hatsumomo treatment of Sunyee…still riles me up, after so many years.
sorry for the typo – its Memoirs of a Geisha…I loved Pearl Buck’s Tales of the Orient when I was in High School 50+ years ago. The oriental culture has always fascinated me and to this day I love to rent movies in Chinese etc. The Inn of the Red Lantern is one of my favorites, as well as The Lover. Oh I am sorry for being so long-winded, I guess “old” people get lonely. OOPS
One of my favorite collections of short stories is Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. Surprised by how a children’s author pleases the adult. What an “unexpected surprise!
all been in the wwe or wwf