Something I've Been Meaning To Tell You | 
pickThe title of Munro's sophomore story collection is indicative of the overall volume, as in many of the works characters have a personal secret. The reason for the secret is varied (ranging from being unable to adequately express their feelings to dramatic reasons). Published the same year as the magnificent The Diviners, Laurence's final novel in her Manawaka Sequence, Munro is very much influenced by Laurence in her carefully crafted depictions👇
vivastory of the rich interiority of her characters' lives & the random violence that occurs in the most unexpected places. This, along with Akutagawa's Rashomon & Seventeen Other Stories, is the best short story collection that I have read this year. This was my first Munro collection & I am so pleased that there are numerous volumes awaiting me. I have to admit that I feel that the cover art does a disservice to Munro's work. On the back Jeffrey Eugenides 2y
vivastory justifiably says, “She's the most savage writer I've ever read, also the most tender.“ One wouldn't know judging from this cover, but luckily the content more than compensates for the lackluster cover. (edited) 2y
Billypar I've only read 'Open Secrets', so I wasn't thinking of the secrets theme as a broader characteristic of her work beyond that specific collection - I agree that it's a good dramatic device for a story. I loved every story from that one. I have A Good Man is Hard to Find on my shelf and should be picking it up sometime soon. 2y
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vivastory @Billypar I also really loved every story in this one. There were several passages in numerous stories that I read multiple times & she really lands the closing of her stories. I plan on reading Dear Life next. 2y
jlhammar I love Alice Munro. Great review! 2y
vivastory @jlhammar Thanks! Are there any particular collections that you would recommend? 2y
jlhammar @vivastory Dear Life, Too Much Happiness and Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage are all fantastic. (edited) 2y
vivastory @jlhammar Thank you for the recommendations! I have added all of these to my TBR. I plan on reading Dear Life next 2y
