Forty Stories
Forty Stories
Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 1987
Book Brief
272
Short Story Collection • Fiction
1987
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Forty Stories by Donald Barthelme is a 1987 short story collection featuring diverse topics, ranging from historical anecdotes and surreal retellings of fairy tales to modern anxieties, with many stories first appearing in The New Yorker. Notable stories include "Chablis," "The Genius," "Concerning the Bodyguard," and "The Baby," delivering postmodern narratives often in a flash fiction format. Some stories feature themes of violence and familial conflict.
Humorous
Mysterious
Playful
Contemplative
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
3,468 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Donald Barthelme's Forty Stories garners praise for its inventive storytelling and unique narrative style. Critics laud its wit, humor, and the way it defies conventional storytelling norms. However, some find the abstract nature of the stories challenging and the lack of traditional structure off-putting. Overall, it's celebrated for its originality and literary craft.
Who Should Read Forty Stories?
Readers who enjoy Forty Stories by Donald Barthelme are likely to appreciate experimental, postmodern literature. Fans of the surreal and satirical narratives in Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut or the fragmented storytelling in Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace will find Barthelme's work engaging and thought-provoking.
3,468 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Short Story Collection • Fiction
1987
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!