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Anagrams: Vintage Contemporaries by Lorrie Moore: A Literary Masterpiece

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Anagrams: Vintage Contemporaries By Lorrie Moore Book Cover Anagrams (Vintage Contemporaries) Lorrie Moore

Anagrams (Vintage Contemporaries)

by Lorrie Moore

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
File size	:	1123 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	242 pages

A Master of the Short Story Form

Lorrie Moore is widely recognized as one of the most acclaimed short story writers of our time. Her distinctive style blends wit, irony, and a deep understanding of human nature. In "Anagrams: Vintage Contemporaries," Moore explores the complexities of human relationships, desire, and identity with her signature brilliance.

Interconnected Lives and Relationships

The stories in "Anagrams" are often interconnected, revolving around a cast of characters who appear and reappear throughout the collection. This creates a sense of a larger narrative that explores the ways our lives intersect and influence each other.

One of the recurring themes in the book is the difficulty of communication and the misunderstandings that can arise between people. In the story "How to Talk to Your Mother," a daughter and her aging mother struggle to connect due to their different perspectives and life experiences.

Desire and Its Consequences

Another prominent theme in "Anagrams" is the nature of desire and its often-unforeseen consequences. In the story "Debark," a young woman's desire for a passionate love affair leads her down a dangerous path.

Moore's characters are often driven by their desires, but they also face the consequences of their actions. In the title story, "Anagrams," a woman's desire for a perfect life leads her to make a series of choices that have both positive and negative outcomes.

Exploration of Identity

In addition to her insights into relationships and desire, Moore also explores the complex nature of identity in "Anagrams." Her characters grapple with questions of who they are and how they define their own existence.

In the story "You Are Here," a man travels to a remote island in search of a new identity, only to find that he can never truly escape who he is.

A Contemporary Classic

"Anagrams: Vintage Contemporaries" was first published in 1988 and has since become a contemporary classic. It has been praised for its insightful and compassionate portrayal of human relationships, its lyrical and evocative language, and its enduring relevance.

If you are a fan of short stories, or if you appreciate well-written and thought-provoking literature, then you owe it to yourself to read "Anagrams: Vintage Contemporaries" by Lorrie Moore. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Critical Acclaim

"Lorrie Moore is one of our finest and most original writers." - The New York Times Book Review

"Moore's stories are funny, sad, wise, and utterly unforgettable." - Time

"Anagrams is a masterpiece of the short story form." - The Guardian

About the Author

Lorrie Moore was born in Glens Falls, New York in 1957. She is the author of six novels and several collections of short stories. Her work has been translated into more than twenty languages and has received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. Moore is a professor of creative writing at Vanderbilt University.

Anagrams (Vintage Contemporaries)

by Lorrie Moore

4.3 out of 5