Best New American Voices 2005 »

Known as much for her wit as she is for her eclecticism, Francine Prose is a true renaissance woman of the literary set. She has written essays, art and literary reviews, translations, children s books, novellas, and short stories -- not to mention bitingly humorous novels like Bigfoot Dreams and Blue Angel.

Julie Orringer, Adam Johnson, William Gay, David Benioff, Ana Menendez, Maile Meloy, Amanda Davis, Jennifer Vanderbes, Alix Ohlin, and John Murray: These are just some of the acclaimed writers whose early work has appeared in Best New American Voices since its launch in 2000.

The 2005 edition features a new crop of promising stories selected by novelist Francine Prose, who continues the tradition of identifying the best young writers on the cusp of their careers. With pieces culled from hundreds of prestigious writing programs, such as the Iowa Writers' Workshop and Johns Hopkins, and from summer conferences including Sewanee and Bread Loaf-and with a complete list of contact information for these programs-this rich collection showcases tomorrow's literary stars.

A Harvest Original

Publishers Weekly

"How can the written word be dead when it is being deployed with such spirit and vitality?" asks guest editor Francine Prose in her introduction to this provocative collection of 17 stories chosen from writing programs and arts organizations around the country. More realistic than experimental, the stories ricochet between themes of love and loss; the best ones give readers the feeling they're swimming across the surface of an ocean when a shiver of cold betrays the great depths that lie beneath. Frances Hwang's mournful depiction of an estranged Chinese couple stuck with a deadbeat tenant in "Garden City" is a portrait of lives consumed with regret. "The Cosmonaut" by Ian David Froeb beautifully captures the parallels between two grieving men brought together under literally cosmic circumstances. A number of the stories document cultural clashes in progress. When the exasperated Thai farmer in Rattawut Lapcharoensap's "Farangs" takes one look at the bikini-clad American tourist girl who's come to ride his elephant and asks, "What if I went to her country and rode a bald eagle in my underwear, huh?" it's clear that as the world gets smaller, the potential for conflict looms large. Other selections depict fascinating communities of Sikhs, Sri Lankans and Singaporean Chinese. If this anthology of up-and-coming writers is any indication, the prognosis for the written word is very good. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Preface
Introduction by Francine Prose

The Golden Horde of Mississippi by Charley Henley
Garden City by Frances Hwang
Essay #3: Leda and the Swan by Eric Puchner
Full-Month Celebration by E. V. Slate
Like Vaclav by Keith Gessen
Farangs by Rattawut Lapcharoensap
More Abandon by Joshua Ferris
Rosie by Vivek Narayanan
Silent Sky by Lachlan Smith
Pine by Hasanthika Sirisena
Brides by Aryn Kyle
You Are Here by Michael Lowenthal
Sangeet by Bhira Backhaus
Creatures of a Day by Matthew Purdy
Dog Children by Tamara Guirado
The Cosmonaut by Ian David Froeb
Snow Fever by Rebecca Barry
Contributors
Participants