What I Didn't See Paperback – April 23, 2013

After enjoying  The Jane Austen Book Club , I tried this book and found it as well written, each character brought to life by a few well chosen, unusual memories. Her short stories contain elements of science fiction while remaining personal. Unlike her novel, her short stories often end abruptly and unhappily, but they still flicker with her sense of humor. Several of the stories are unforgettable in how she brings their strangeness so close.

I have to start out by saying that I'm a huge fan of Karen Joy Fowler's work. If you haven't read Sarah Canary, it's an absolute must-read. That is one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I've read her short fiction before; Black Glass was my first introduction to her exquisite prose, and those stories knocked me out. She continues that tradition of superior story crafting in this collection of short fiction. Don't miss it.

I bought this book because I wanted to have what I consider one of the important speculative fiction collections of this decade. Fowler's stories deliver such crafty precision of both physical detail and emotional nuance that they're worth repeated reading, particularly the title story. Should be on any short story writer's shelf.

The opening story was tough to get through, but it was as excellent as it was brutal-- and don't let it stop you from reading the whole thing. Definitely some new favorites found, in here. Very quick read.

I guess I just like to read books (and watch movies) that are not sad and tragic. If that's what you like, this is the book for you. The last story, "King Rat" was particularly grating since she writes exactly what she has promised not to. Ms. Fowler has a lot of demons to expunge. I decline to go along on her depressing, self-pitying ride.

Beautiful, haunting stories. One of my fave authors today. Fowler blends mystery with fantasy and science fiction in a way I haven’t found anywhere before.

Each of the short could have the potential to grow into something large and big, like the one about the Booths family which turned into the magnificent Booth. I wonder whether others would have the same “happy ending”. Ms. Fowler has this magical pen, her words somehow touches some deeply buried nerves in my heart, tenderly, insistently, sadly.

i was impressed with Fowler's We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves so i purchased these short stories. They are written with the same intelligence and wit. Brava!