Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Harmony Of the World
  

Harmony Of the World [Paperback]

Charles Baxter
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Paperback CDN $13.28  
Paperback, Jun 27 2002 --  

Product Details


Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars with a little disharmony as well, April 14 2001
By A Customer
Originally published in 1984, this collection features Baxter's least middle-class, most internally-troubled characters. They are senile, depressed, chronically lonely. The finale, "The Crank" is a gorgeous study of plot. The recently divorced protagonist's interactions with a similarly lonely guru are magical and uplifting. Baxter went on to mature considerably in terms of craft, but these stories are emotionally generous and smart.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Baxter, July 21 2000
Sifting through "Harmony of the World" is like successfully panning for gold. Each page is an exercise in patience and endurance, but when you happen upon a nugget of Baxter's comical insight or warm compassion, you know you've struck it rich. Baxter does a wonderful job of balancing intelligence, humor, and believable characters. The title story alone is worth the price.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars with a little disharmony as well, April 14 2001
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Harmony of the World: Stories (Paperback)
Originally published in 1984, this collection features Baxter's least middle-class, most internally-troubled characters. They are senile, depressed, chronically lonely. The finale, "The Crank" is a gorgeous study of plot. The recently divorced protagonist's interactions with a similarly lonely guru are magical and uplifting. Baxter went on to mature considerably in terms of craft, but these stories are emotionally generous and smart.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Baxter, July 21 2000
By Voice of Chunk - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Harmony of the World: Stories (Paperback)
Sifting through "Harmony of the World" is like panning for gold. Each page is an exercise in patience and endurance, but when you happen upon a nugget of Baxter's comical insight or warm compassion, you know you've struck it rich. Baxter does a wonderful job of balancing intelligence, humor, and believable characters. The title story alone is worth the price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Poignant Fiction, July 6 2005
By Paul M. Mallory - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Harmony of the World: Stories (Paperback)
Please don't take the fact that I gave this only three stars to mean that this book isn't very good. I gave it three stars because I am comparing it to other works by Charles Baxter.

This collection of short stories highlights the human condition, for better or for worse. What is true about Baxter's fiction is that he makes characters interesting, especially those characters who, if they were real people, I would have nothing to do with in reality. That is a good thing.

One story, "The Crank", acts as if it doesn't belong in this collection, but in another collection of Baxter's called "A Relative Stranger." In "The Crank", a loner meets a crank caller and discovers something about himself along the way. The protagonists in these stories range from lost college students to elderly persons who seem just as lost. The title story reminds us that we share the same griefs and joys that everyone else does.

Overall, this collection is worth a read, especially if you love short stories, or if you want to learn how short stories are crafted.
 Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category


Look for similar items by subject


Feedback