Michael's Book Babble

My first experience with Lorrie Moore was in college. We read a story called, “How to Become a Writer.” It was the first story I ever read where it was told in second person. At first I thought the idea of writing that way was beyond lunacy, but Moore pulled it off effortlessly in the story. I was given a clear sense of character, and the story flowed nicely. I’ve read a few more stories told that way by different authors, and have even written a story that way myself. It’s fun, but very tough to pull off.

Even though for a while I didn’t remember who wrote the story, it always stayed with me.

My wife and I have become big fans of David Sedaris. In an article, he listed some of his favorite short story writers and collections. He mentioned Lorrie Moore’s Birds of America. I picked it up and read the first story, “Willing.” It was a damned good story, too. I was browsing some of her other collections when I ran into Self-Help. Out of curiosity, I looked at the ToC.

And holy crap! There it was! “How to Become a Writer.”

I immediately one-clicked on Amazon and began reading. And boy, am I ever glad I picked it up. Self-Help is a fantastic short story collection. Moore effortlessly crafts stories filled with sorrow, and also a lot of uncomfortably funny moments. Her characters feel real. The very first story, “How to Be an Other Woman” is one of the best opening stories to a collection I’ve ever read.

Not all stories are written in second person, but a good number of them are. Don’t let that scare you away. Trust me, she pulls it off in a way I don’t think very many can. Her stories are truly engrossing and fascinating.

I have my favorite stories, but let it be known that I didn’t feel there was a stinker to be found. Every story fits in, and every story works. But here are my favorites:

How to Be an Other Woman

How

Go Like This

Amahl and the Night Visitors: A Guide to the Tenor of Love

How to Become a Writer

To Fill

Self-Help is a wonderful collection, and now I want to read every story Moore has ever written. This one has already found its place in my top favorite collections. If you haven’t experienced Moore, then I think this is a great place to start. I can’t say enough great things about this book. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

5 stars