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| Author | Lydia Davis |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Short stories |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | 2009 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback), e-book |
| Pages | 752 |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-27737-7 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: checksum |
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis is a 2009 short story collection by American writer Lydia Davis. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, the collection brings together Davis's short fiction from previous works and spans over three decades of her career, from the 1970s to 2007.[1] It is praised for its stylistic innovation and brevity, often blurring the boundaries between prose and poetry.
Overview
[edit]- The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis* compiles stories from four of Davis’s previous collections: *Break It Down* (1986), *Almost No Memory* (1997), *Samuel Johnson Is Indignant* (2001), and *Varieties of Disturbance* (2007). The stories vary in length, with many being just a few lines long, reflecting Davis’s mastery of concise, elliptical narrative.[2]
Davis's work is often categorized as minimalist, though some critics argue that her stories exhibit a unique maximalism within their brevity, packing emotional and intellectual complexity into each line. Many of the stories explore themes of communication, relationships, and the absurdities of everyday life.[3]
Critical reception
[edit]- The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis* received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised Davis for her precision and innovative approach to narrative structure. James Wood of The New York Times called her “one of the most original minds in American fiction,” highlighting her ability to distill complex ideas into deceptively simple language.[1] The Guardian echoed similar sentiments, with Claire Harman describing the collection as “a masterpiece of wit and imagination.”[2]
Davis’s work has often been described as challenging traditional forms of the short story. Some critics have compared her to modernist writers like Gertrude Stein and Samuel Beckett, both of whom she has cited as influences.[4] The collection has also been noted for its blend of humor and philosophical inquiry, often engaging readers in a form of intellectual play.[5]
Themes
[edit]Several themes recur throughout *The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis*. These include language and its limitations, the mundanity of everyday life, and introspection. Her stories often grapple with how language both connects and isolates people, and how meaning can be elusive in human communication. Davis also frequently explores interpersonal relationships, particularly how they are shaped by misunderstanding, silence, and unspoken thoughts.[3]
Many of the stories also have a strong element of the absurd, drawing attention to the peculiarities and trivialities of modern life. Her characters are often caught in paradoxical situations or explore their inner thoughts with obsessive detail.[6]
Influence and legacy
[edit]Lydia Davis’s influence on contemporary fiction is significant. Her unique form of storytelling has inspired a generation of writers who explore minimalist and experimental prose. Davis herself has cited influences such as Franz Kafka, James Joyce, and Thomas Bernhard, but her distinctive voice stands apart in its blend of linguistic precision and philosophical depth.[7]
The collection has been cited as a landmark in short fiction and continues to be studied in both creative writing and literary studies programs. Davis was awarded the 2013 Man Booker International Prize, further cementing her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary literature.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Wood, James (6 December 2009). "Short Stories by Lydia Davis: A Master of Precision". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Harman, Claire (22 May 2010). "Review: The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Schjeldahl, Peter (Summer 2010). "The Essential Minimalist". The Paris Review (193). Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Marcus, Ben (2012). The Art of Brevity: Studies in the Short Story. Columbia University Press. pp. 25–26.
- ^ "The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis: A Reading Experience". The New Yorker. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Dillon, Brian (September 2010). "Lydia Davis's Little Labors". Literary Review (498): 23–24.
- ^ Schiff, Deborah (2015). American Innovations in Short Fiction. Yale University Press. pp. 47–48.
- ^ "Lydia Davis Wins 2013 Man Booker International Prize". The Guardian. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2024.