I no longer remember where I first heard about this book, or what was said about it that sent me straightaway to amazon to place an order. The title rubs me the wrong way, so the review must have been more than glowing to overcome that.Well, in terms of the writing, this collection of short stories deserves a glowing review. I can't recall another collection by one author, written in so many styles, that has prose of such consistent high quality. The unevenness comes in the stories themselves. "Nativity, Caucasian," which describes an unexpected childbirth at a marathon contract bridge party, is among the funniest things I've read in recent years. There's beauty and recognizable truth in "A Hog Loves Its Life," a wistful look back at a colorful grandfather whose senility eventually became a problem for the family. "Breathing Room," which concerns a sort of rivalry between brothers, yanks unpleasantly on emotions that I’d just as soon not explore, and ends with a rather anticlimactic sadness. I suppose the same could be said for "Minor Heroism," in which a father and son disown each other in such a way that it's not clear which of the two is more to blame. I really did not at all enjoy "Adult Art" (erotic perversion) or "America Competes" (an up-close look at a complete absence of talent that is probably a caricature of the daily fare handled by contest judges, literary agents, etc. -- or on another level of the experience of any of us occasionally has when we need someone else to display basic competence).Still, what to make of the title? The first two stories, in very different ways, show people (white people, obviously) who have such an inflexible view of the world and their place in it that they bring ruin upon themselves. Despite the flawless writing, I began worrying whether the author had an ax to grind, because obviously inflexibility is not peculiar to any one race or culture. The author returns to state that theme more explicitly a few stories later:'Why Did Dinosaurs Die Out So?' Thus ran the name of my searching papier-mâché Science Fair Project, a runner-up locally. ... When I put the question of why group extinction to Miss Whipple, my unmarried appreciative art-and-science teacher, she said, 'Because, my Bryan of Bryans' (there were seven in sixth grade), 'because they could not change.' ... If a group cannot bend, it fails to grow--it loses out to heartier and therefore worthier life forms. ... And could we grow and bend? And did we want to? Did we have to want to?If the author is predicting the coming demise of the white race, these fictions are probably not the best way to make his point. At least, Mark Steyn does so with a lot more clarity. I think the various weaknesses depicted here are part of the human condition, not the white condition, and so found the whole race thing an unwelcome distraction. But again, the writing itself could hardly be better.
It's a series of short stories about white people and the "challenges" they endure in their lives. Satirical, funny, sad, scary, etc. It fits all genres of fiction I think. Mr. Gurganus uses some unique styles for short stories - he wrote an entire story as a series of letters about a mural contest... there are a few stories based on one family at different places in time from different view points. Its a very interesting read. So far, my favorite has to be the story where the mom gives birth at a bridge tournament. Hilarious!I read a lot of books with the goal of finding something I can turn into a Forensics piece. This one is riddled with good pieces.Readers be warned - there is some innappropriate sexual content - stories about pedophiles. It can be very difficult to get through. I myself found those stories disturbing. But don't let it ruin the whole book for you. Some of the other stories are profound and/or humorous. But still... not a book I'm leaving in Jared's classroom, that's for sure!
Do You like book White People (2000)?
Allan Gurganus’ work is exceptional. Not only are the stories in this collection ingeniously crafted, but they are also humorous, imaginative and in a rare literary way, absolutely entertaining. I’m usually able to easily stop reading stories each day, even if I’m in the middle. Yet, with Gurganus, I felt compelled to read each story in its entirety, or I missed the characters and wondered how it was going to end. This is an uncommon achievement that made me even more anxious to read and learn
—Steven
honestly, i have two pages left but im ready to be done (like ready two weeks ago). it's a series of short stories and besides the last story, it wasnt that interesting. i liked the title and the first story was pretty good too - otherwise skip to the last one and be done with it. i actually almost returned it without finishing it which is rare for me but coming off the disappointment with the last short story collection i read (which also kept it's best story for last!), it was hard to work my way through. but i did. you dont have to...
—Alex
