Some Fun: Stories and a Novella
Nelson's fifth collection of fiction finds a little light around the corner. Though she's not a writer who offers tidy solutions, instead preferring the weight and texture of complex emotions, she has at least opened the window to air these stories out with hope. Reviewers praise her way with metaphor, her rich characterizations, and, most prominently, her avoidance of cliché on the well-worn turf of American families. The only persistent criticism (which didn't affect the overall ratings) was the cover design. It features a graphical treatment of the author's many awards (Guggenheim Fellowship, O. Henry Prize, PEN/Nelson Algren Award), which many writers felt cheapened the book, no matter how deserving Nelson is of the praise.<BR>Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.