The New Yorker stories, by Ann Beattie

Here gathered in one volume are the masterful stories Beattie has published over the years in the New Yorker, beginning in 1974. In many ways, they typify what my husband and I have always called “a New Yorker story.” They are elegantly written and usually portray a certain class of self-involved, well-to-do, white, East-coast people. Many are divorced or separated, most are not all that happy. Despite their advantages, life has been in some ways a disappointment. It was interesting to trace some of the societal changes reflected in these stories as one moves from the early 70’s to almost present day. And, like a collection by Updike or Cheever, all the stories are well-worth reading. Perhaps, however, better taken in slow doses rather than all at once. 528 pp.