The Art of Brevity

"A basic tenet of the book is that the short storyor rather, 'short fiction'is not simply a shorter form of the novel but instead a distinct form with its own set of principles. . . . Those interested in a stimulating overview and in-depth treatment of this surprisingly vast field will benefit by reading this well-researched volume. Highly recommended."—Choice

"The Art of Brevity brings together in one place many of the world's leading authorities on the oft-neglected genre of the short story. A supremely engaging and enlightening collection of essays, it is distinguished for placing the views of the leading American scholars in an international critical-theoretic context, achieving thereby a highly illuminating dialogue indeed."—Gerald Lynch, Department of English, University of Ottawa, and author of The One and the Many: English-Canadian Short Story Cycles

"This important collection of essays will give new impetus and energy to the field of short fiction theory. Bringing together Anglo-American and Nordic critics, the book expands the field in both geographical and conceptual ways. The contributors forge new links between a range of theoretical perspectives and cultural contexts, and map exciting new territories for exploration. Essential reading."—Clare Hanson, Department of English and Drama, Loughborough University, author of Short Stories and Short Fictions, 1880–1980, and editor of Re-Reading the Short Story

"As a fiction writer and critic, I find this collection of original essays to be the kind of exploration of the nature of the short story that I have been looking for. I seek a variety of approaches; I crave a style that is informal, devoid of stilted academic jargon, and discussions that are as stimulating and enjoyable to intelligent students and non-students as to academics. I imagine other readers will be as satisfied as I am. What I have not been seeking but am delighted to find in this collection is a joint effort of Scandinavian and American critics, who conduct strong, insightful, and useful excursions into an international group of master storytellers."—David Madden, Department of English, Louisiana State University, and author of two short story collections and Revising Fiction