Enormous Changes at the Last Minute

Oh, delicious. Grace Paley's writing is acrobatic, direct, hilarious, satirical, political, and generally stunning. When asked by the Paris Review why she hadn't written more (three story collections and three poetry chapbooks over a lifetime), Paley said both that art is too long and life too short, and that she thought she could accomplish more in a story than many authors could in a novel. This is true, in my view. I've gone through an extensive education in the short timespan of reading this book.Haley writes about single mothers of all ethnicities (thought mainly Jewish), about hippies and parents and children and whores. Most of these stories take place in New York, where Paley lived and raised two children in parks like the ones she writes about.I've never seen anyone put the English language through its paces like Paley does. Some stories are more inscrutable than others, but all demand reading.

Faith is my fave character!!

I found her very authentic and funny. For the early 1960’s, quite bold. New York focused in themes but her insights into humans at large were very perceptive.

So good. Highly recommend.

Read this for a collage class, excellent book of short stories. Grace Paley is an immensely talented writer and a master of the short story. You will be immersed in her writing as you read this book and will not want to put it down!

Love these stories!

Solid collection of thoughtful, literary fiction.

Great book! it was in pretty good condition. Some writing, but nothing wrong with that since I'm going to be writing in it too.

I purchased this based on recommendation from author Ann Patchett (whose writing I love) and was very disappointed. The stories seem pointless and often incomprehensible. I stopped half way through the book as it was just pissing me off.

Very original with unexpected freshness of the author's views. It's not like short stories we are used to.