Let me introduce you to Lorrie Moore, a master of contemporary short stories. She writes in crisp, clear prose, often with a lyricism or insight that can pause your breath and with wry word play that draws a chuckle, even while portraying dark feelings or tense moments. No speculative fiction, no magical realism, no romanticism—just probing exposure of the human condition in fairly ordinary (though sometimes quirky) people.
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s how critics characterize her: “America’s first lady of darkness and mirth”; “an especially intimate and approachable voice, that of an intellectual who doesn’t mistake solemnity for seriousness and actually seems to be enjoying herself”; “her ability to make so many startling, painful, funny, universally true observations about life's closely intertwined stings and salvations”; “toeing the line between tragic and comic with a grace few writers manage.”
We’ll look at the short story form and how to read one closely. We’ll read stories of motherhood, outsiders, love, and regret. We’ll see how different narrative voices affect a story, including the curiosity of second-person narration. We’ll hear from Moore about her writing approach and process.
So, how about it? Let’s read and explore some of her short stories together.
Please see the class ground rules.
