March 2013 – This frequently dark, sometimes funny (also ironic and sometimes beautiful) compilation of short stories by George Saunders so expertly describes the minds ramblings and tangents. A 13 year old girl muses, “Pour quantity of Cheez Doodles into compartmentalized old-school Tupperware dealie… Shake Tupperware dealie back and forth like panning for gold, then offer to some imaginary poor gathered round.” A father, clearly frustrated by the wealth and decadence of his daughter’s friend’s family broods, “…sat on special star-watching platform as stars came out. Our kids sat watching stars fascinated, as if no stars in our neighborhood. What, I said, no stars in our neighborhood? No response. From anyone. Actually, stars there did seems brighter.” Separate stories seem somehow related; recognizing each participant as an often ill informed member of the human family. full story
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