Contemporary New England Stories contains twenty short stories written by some of America's best-known contemporary fiction writers: John Updike, John Cheever, Susan Minot, and Mark Helprin, to name just a few. Contemporary New England Stories is an engaging literary portrait of the people, places, and philosophy that make up the landscape and character of New England today. The stories in this collection distinctively represent New England. Written by people born, educated, or simply transplanted there, these stories all evoke a New England voice. They do differ, however, in the use of New England settings and characters. Some, like Andre Dubus's "A Father's Story" and John Cheever's "The President of the Argentine," portray New Englanders in New England, while others, like Blanche McCrary Boyd's "The Black Hand Girl" and Joy Williams's "The Skater" depict foreigners on New England soil. John Updike's "The Afterlife" follows New Englanders to another part of the world; Christopher Tilghman's "In a Father's Place," a story about a Maryland family in Maryland, exudes New England sensibilities and values. This collection illustrates the impact New England has had on contemporary American literature; it also illustrates how New England has captured the fancy of many of today's most respected fiction writers. Contemporary New England Stories will enlighten and entertain every lover of contemporary fiction and all those who relish life in New England.
