Randall Jarrell's Book of Stories (New York Review Books Classics)
"Long out of print, this landmark volume—and the sweeping essay at the front—may change how you think about fiction. (It may also change how you think about your own life.) This is a book to return to, and to keep." — Stephen Burt"It has been clear for some time that Randall Jarrell is one of the most gifted poets and critics of his generation." —The New York Times Book Review"Randall Jarrell was such a gifted reader of poetry that it’s easy to overlook how keenly he read and discussed prose. The introduction to this wide—ranging collection is alone worth the price of admission: a brilliant, characteristically light—stepping little journey into the heart of the narrative impulse. This is as fine an entry into the art of the short story as any I know." — Brad Leithauser"[Jarrell was] perhaps the most fearsome (and admired) American critic of the twentieth century." — The Atlantic Monthly"My favorite short—story anthology is Randall Jarrell’s, with a brilliant essay as a preface." — Michael Dirda, The Washignton Post