Fat Phil can't lose at dice, even when his friends turn nasty and he's trying his hardest; a salesman finds success comes from fortune cookie mottoes, but panics when these mottoes turn against him; a date goes so perfectly a man talks himself out of ever seeing the woman again; and, a commuter finds himself obsessed with a plain young woman on his train, at the expense of his marriage. In this collection of short stories, Hubert Selby Jr. plunges the reader into the violent, passionate worlds of his protagonists and captures perfectly the delicate balance between joy and despair.
Song of the Silent Snow: Stories
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Library Journal
These 15 stories from the author of Last Exit to Brooklyn range from clipped street vernacular to poetic description, but common to all the pieces in this slightly uneven collection is a compassionate vision. "The Coat" is essential Selby: an unsparing portrait of a homeless man whose relationship with his coathis lifelineis more humanly meaningful than the violent city around him. A girl on a subway becomes a man's fantasy object, a salesman finds courage and success through fortune cookies, a father smashes a TV to gain his son's attention, and in a twisted way he doesthe son tapes the incident: Selby's work is earthy, thoughtful, funny, and about a recognizably uncaring world. Peter Bricklebank, English Dept., City Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
We believe Selby's characters and will never forget them. Selby has written from the gut with great compassion The Nation Selby's place is in the front rank of American novelists ... to understand his work is to understand the anguish of America New York Times Book Review Selby brings a scorching light to a limited area of human existence, which most people know of but do not know Newsweek
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a good collection of short stories for anyone who appreciates the works of Hubert Selby. It deals with similar themes of his other books, such as the underbelly of (New York) society and the ordinary struggles that everyday people can find themselves in. However, the stories included here are by no means as gruesome as what you will read in his other texts, particularly The Room or as disturbing as the stories in Last Exit to Brooklyn. But for those who are intrigued by such themes, this book does contain some similar insights. Definitely recommended for the Selby fan who wants a portable, quick-reading collection of shorts.
By Daniel Byrd
Format:Paperback
Some of the stories will make you laugh, some will make you want to cry. All main characters are called Harry. All have different lives, different stories, but something underneath is the same. What is the common thread of the different Harrys? Read the book.
This is 13 short stories as aposed to his other novels, granted,but is also the easiest book of Selby jr to read. A great place to start with this wonderful and truely original American author.
This is 13 short stories as aposed to his other novels, granted,but is also the easiest book of Selby jr to read. A great place to start with this wonderful and truely original American author.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
every hubert selby jnr. book is an enjoyable read,and still completely different from what every one else is doing. he is compassionate and yet brutal in his prose. this is a collection of short stories, and as with all short story collections it is a mixed bag at times. the best here are the coat, about an alcoholic tramps love for his coat, so much so that he's willing to die to die for it and the title story seemingly a story of a depressed mans near death experience in the snow and his sudden realisation that he loves his life. read this book, it's easy to read but there are underlying meanings that some will and some won't quite understand.i'm not sure if i did but i thoroughly enjoyed guessing and will continue to.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It just can't get any better!
I feel the need to have this book with me at all times. If you are the kind of person who is up untill 3:00 in the morning thinking about all the people who waste your time [and... Read more
Published on Nov 6 1999
4.0 out of 5 stars
Harry-ific!
Hubert Selby certainly has a mania for the name Harry. In at least three of his novels, one of the main characters is named Harry. Read more
Published on Oct 13 1997 by Mark
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
