Speaking With the Angel

Pros: Bizarre and unique stories, but all good
Cons: Some writing styles take some getting used to, lots of British slang

I have been on a bit of a short story kick here lately, and I’m also a huge fan of Nick Hornby. When I got the opportunity to read a book that is a collection of short stories edited by Nick Hornby, I couldn’t wait to start turning the pages. Now that ...

Pros: Twelve terrific stories by some excellent writers.
Cons: I want hardcover, but that's just whiny of me.

Even though the time restraints imposed upon me by my company’s annual budgeting process have kept me from doing much reading lately (or doing anything, for that matter, beyond working and sleeping), I made it a priority to pick up a copy of Speaking...

Pros: Five good stories, the book has a noble purpose
Cons: Seven mediocre stories

What’s new in UK literature? I was curious about that, and Speaking with the Angel, as a collection of 12 stories by 12 different authors, seemed to give the answer to that question. Most of the stories are nothing special – in other...

Pros: Several excellent stories by undiscovered writers
Cons: Some of the established writers write simply good stories

Nick Hornby’s collection “Speaking with the Angel” gathers some of the greatest young talent to write short stories. Dave Eggers, Irvine Welsh, Roddy Doyle, Helen Fielding and Hornby himself are hip, cutting edge writers. And it is a fine collection with...