Stories by T.C. Boyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
With his dry wit and vivid imagination, T.C. Boyle is among my favorite short story writers. But be forewarned. Boyle’s work is not for everyone as it’s filled with dark humor and scathing irreverence. A good example is the shocking story “Drowning” which Boyle himself referred to as “offensive on many levels.” Boyle once described a workshop led by John Cheever where Cheever defended “Drowning” against “an onslaught of classmate rancor.” So if you decide to take this ride, strap yourself in tight.
Boyle has been writing and publishing stories for 40 years so there is a lot of material here. This 70 story volume is divided into three broad categories: Love, Death, and Everything In-Between. It covers everything prior to its publication in 1999. And while I’ll admit to a preference for his more recent fiction (Tooth and Claw from 2005 for example) there is some real gold here.
Some of my favorites:
“The 100 faces of death volume IV.” A haunting story showing the lasting impact of graphic violence when the death of a close friend reminds the narrator of having viewed this film together when they were both coming of age.
“The Human Fly.” An aging daredevil performs increasingly dangerous stunts in a desperate grasp for fame and glory.
“Greasy Lake.” Inspired by the Bruce Springsteen song “Spirit in the Night” it follows innocent adolescents rebelling against Suburbia and trying to act tough before ultimately getting in way over their heads.
“Top of The Food Chain.” The science and technology of pest control are locked in an unwinnable arms race against Nature.
At over 700 pages, there’s plenty of material here to keep you entertained. Keep your eyes on the road and enjoy Boyle’s wild ride.