The PEN/ O. Henry Prize Stories 2009
by: Laura Furman, Editor
Published by: Anchor Books
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Reviewed by Patty Inglish, MS
(These stories were juried by A.S Byatt, Anthony Doerr, and Tim O’Brien)
The PEN/O. Henry Prize winning short stories for 2009 are a collection of jaw dropping tales that exceed expectations for most story collections. Their writers are well known globally or at least well regarded in their newness of talents. Overall, this collection is a prize in itself and a classic to be collected and read many times. It will be shared with friends and descendants as well as in the classrooms of the world.
Literally thousands of published stories were submitted to the 2009 contest by literary magazines, not the writers themselves or even the readers. From this vast sea of pages, only twenty brief tales made the cut. However, a favorite is one that is actually 22 very short yarns massed together: “Twenty-Two Stories” by Paul Theroux. Each of these is like a Korean Sijo poem with its unexpected ending twist and all are compelling. At about a page in length, these 22 are also powerful and compact.
The grand prize winner for 2009 is titled “An Ordinary Soldier of the Queen,” by Graham Joyce. It connects the hard work of soldiering in the Gulf War and Egypt with the metaphysical, leaving questions open at its end. “Purple Bamboo Park” by E.V. Slate is extraordinary in its narrative of a middle-aged Chinese woman toiling 5-6 days a week with odd experiences and rewards.
Judy Troy’s “The Order of Things” is almost lyric in its telling of love, consequences, and serendipity. It is a romance that transcends the people involved. There are also accounts from the Viet Nam Conflict and its background; narratives about vagabond survival, lost loves, and military hospital ward ghosts. Others speak of crime and relationships, expectations and surprises. Another plays with the concept of the end of the world or of industrialized society and what that might mean.
This is a treasure book to grasp tightly and digest. In addition to the stories, the contest jurors include essays about their own favorites, and the 20 winners write briefly on their inspirations.
Armchair Interviews says: All readers from middle school through adult can enjoy this classic collection.
Pen American Center’s Web site: http://www.pen.org
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