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"Marking the eightieth anniversary of The Best American Short Stories, the 1995 volume triumphantly confirms that the short story is as inviting and ambitious today as it was decades ago. Contributors' names may have changed, but this collection endures as a showcase for some of our most talented writers. With a taste for the "sharp and exotic," this year's guest editor, Jane Smiley, has served up a veritable smorgasbord of literary delights, arranged "so that the flavors enhance one another as the feast progresses." "Brought to the table are works by recognized masters: an outrageous journey into Africa from Thom Jones; haunting explorations of childhood's uncertain terrain from Ellen Gilchrist and Jamaica Kincaid; a miracle in the South Bronx from Don DeLillo; and a powerhouse of crafty conversations from Stephen Dobyns. Readers will savor new stories from Joy Williams, Kate Braverman, and Gish Jen and sample rich pieces from newcomers, including Jennifer C. Cornell's and Peter Ho Davies's multilayered tales of transatlantic families; Daniel Orozco's hilarious whirlwind tour of a new office; and Steven Polansky's heartrending story, "Leg," about the lengths a parent will travel for a defiant teenager."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved