I really like Barthelme too. His collection 60 Stories is most excellent, not sure if there is any overlap with 40 Stories. His writing is a mix of cognizant coherence and the utterly bizarre. I am astounded by the creativity and intelligence at play in his work. His best stories hit hard emotionally as well. Having grown up reading Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins, I am surprised I had never heard of Barthelme though reading him now feels like a natural progression.
I really like Barthelme too. His collection 60 Stories is most excellent, not sure if there is any overlap with 40 Stories. His writing is a mix of cognizant coherence and the utterly bizarre. I am astounded by the creativity and intelligence at play in his work. His best stories hit hard emotionally as well. Having grown up reading Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins, I am surprised I had never heard of Barthelme though reading him now feels like a natural progression.