After the Plague and Other Stories
By T. Coraghessan Boyle
Read by Scott Brick
Books on Tape, (2001)
An Unabridged Audio Recording
Book Number 5738 - 9 Cassettes
ISBN: 0-7366-7631-7
Genre: Fiction, Short Stories
If I could only select one word to describe T. Coraghessan Boyle's short stories, it would be sagacity. This quality is aptly illustrated in the sixteen short stories contained in After the Plague and Other Stories, Boyle's sixth collection of short stories. Although I do not normally enjoy short stories, I was strangely drawn to these varied and intriguing stories. All can be classed, in one manner of another, as works of social commentary. This audio edition of After the Plague and Other Stories is read by Scott Brick, who enhances Boyle's work with his deep resonance, and his ability to perfectly match the emotions imbued in each of Boyle's stories.
Of the sixteen stories contained in this collection, nine have appeared in the New Yorker and three in the O'Henry Awards and The Best American Short Story volumes. The stories touch on almost every aspect of human existence, and each is infused with Boyle's eccentric viewpoint.
Termination Dust, a story about a plane load of wife-wannabee coming to Alaska in search husbands.
The Love of My Life, a story about the teenage first love, and it all too often consequence - and unwanted pregnancy.
She Wasn't Soft an insightful tale about Paula Turk, an over achieving triathlete who is willing to risk everything for her sport.
Killing Babies, a contemporary story about an abortionist, whose abortion clinic is being besieged by right-to-lifers.
Captured by Indians, a horror story that contemplates age old horrors, and modern ones.
Achates McNeil, a emphatic story about a young college student and the difficult relationship he has with his famous father.
Mexico, a simple story about a man who meets a woman while on vacation, spiced with a liberal application of alcohol.
The Love of My Life, a story that chronicles the pain of two teenagers experiencing first love, who must face the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy.
Rust, a perceptive story about the end of life, seen through the eyes of a man who has just had a stroke.
Peep Hall, a story in which a man finds himself living next door to a house filled with nubile young women - and web cams! These ever vigilant web cams watch every move that the women make, and broadcast their activities throughout the world via the world wide web.
Going Down is a festive story about a man obsessed with a science fiction story in which people age get start to get younger once they reach their 50th birthday.
Friendly Skies, an all too realistic tale about air rage.
The Black and White Sisters, a tale about two sisters who try to eliminate all color, in whatever form it takes, from their life.
Death of the Cool finds an former rock star faced with the horrid realization that he is now middle-aged!
My Widow, a story about an elderly widow who lives with a houseful of cats, told from the viewpoint of her dead husband.
The Underground Garden, a unique tale about an Italian immigrant who tries to build an underground mansion in order to win the love of his lady.
After the Plague, a winsome story about a new Eden, created after most of the world's population is decimated by a deadly virus. This tale centers upon two cantankerous survivors. They find that in a land bereft of people they have the freedom to be like Adam and Eve and unashamedly run about naked.
This eclectic mix of stories illustrate the breadth of Boyle's skill in crafting engaging, and often electrifying short stories. Most of these stories have unexpected endings, and most of the characters have unique responses to the situations in which they find themselves. Overall these are dark and moody stories that deal with interpersonal relationships. The one bright light in this otherwise somber, albeit witty collection, is After the Plague. Although this story concerns the near extinction of human life, it has a happy ending.
Boyle is a prolific author, and has written numerous novels, in addition to his plethora of short stories. His novels are as eclectic as his short stories, and include such diverse titles as The Road to Wellville, A Friend of the Earth, and Tortilla Curtain. Boyle is an academically trained writer, and he has also taught writing to others. His work is resplendent in colorful phrases, deep emotion, and an artistic flare to take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary.
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