I enjoyed Ms O'Connor's short stories as much or more than I've ever enjoyed any short stories. This is a challenging read because there is so much symbolism and depth to her writing. I advise using online resources such as cliffs and sparknotes so the reader doesn't miss anything. Be aware that Ms O'Connor's pen is cruel and prose is very biting. Her stories have quite a bit of "kick" to them. I'll definitely be reading more from her.

yes I would, although these stories were very relevent at the time There is also underlying truths that are relevant today. this is why Flannery O connor is one of the greatest authors of all time.

It is a collection of Flannery O connor stories there is no comparison

To be honest I did not like any of the characters. That is what is so great about the story telling. If we're honest though we di not like these people we all can relate some how.

Like I said I did't like any of these characters.

Is it just me or do they all die in the end.Which I guess is also timeless and universal, no one makes it out alive.

Flannnery O'Connor is probably the best writer the South has ever produced. In this collection she draws unforgettable characters, with her masterful use of language and an ingenious ear for dialogue. The performances are wonderful, some of the best I've heard. This is not just entertainment, although it certainly entertains, but literature. Very much worth the listen.

Listening to a Flannery O'Connor story is as enjoyable as reading one.

The Mother. She was strong-willed in her determination, even if her view of society was wrong and outdated.

When the mother had her stroke, totally unpredictable and shocking.

Everyone's right. Oconnor is a great writer. She peers into the details of her characters with such detail and plausiblity you can't stay uninvolved. And her use of language is great.

It's an anthology and I don't remember the titles. There was a story that takes place in a doctor's office and it was an amazing contrast of characters.

She falls back on killing those characters with traditional values, be they flawed values or not. You know who's getting snuffed by the end of the first paragraph.

Yes, the stories are strong, and the performances are excellent.

A couple of the stories have eerie, disconcerting climaxes, but to describe them would be telling.

My favorite story was "The Enduring Chill," which features a few very funny scenes in which the tortured writer struggles with the fact that he is likely uncreative.

Mrs. Turpin of "Revelation." Here's a woman who thinks she knows herself body and soul. but she's terrifyingly wrong.

This story collection is very dark. People hope greatly, and fail terribly. There aren't any winners, only tension, and confrontations where everyone loses. There is a theme of bone-deep misunderstanding, of people across generation and color not being able to see each other clearly. I would recommend perhaps breaking it up if you're of a more optimistic persuasion.

Something upbeat

I might recommend it to friends with strong emotional filters.

Narrators were all good. Portrayals of disparate characters was handled adroitly.

Cannot say, as this was a series of stories, not a novel.

All stories dealt with failure, typically caused by personal or social flaws of the central characters. All were dark, some extremely dark. It takes a bit of adaptation for the listener to pick up the nuances of southern US culture from early in the last century, but the author does not rely on the simple stereotypes current readers might accept more easily.

That being said, the stories were all thoroughly developed, characters well fleshed-out, action appropriate. The stories are well written, and beautiful in a technical sense, but not a source of pleasure.