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McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern #24
McSweeney's Issue 24: Trouble
With a special section on Donald Barthelme, including remembrances from Ann Beattie, David Gates, and Oscar Hijuelos, and some of Barthelme’s barely published and never-collected early work, and a highly theoretical but potentially amazing Z-binding that we can’t describe very well here, or even to each other, McSweeney’s 24 will never be mistaken for anything else. (Except possibly the June 1978 issue of Popular Mechanics.)
Contents
Trouble: How to make millions in the oil market - Christopher R. Howard
Stockholm, 1973 - Joe Meno
Bored to death - Jonathan Ames
Look at me - Aaron Gwyn
Death of Nick Carter - Philippe Soupault (trans. Robin Walz)
Come back, Donald Barthelme: Introduction - Justin Taylor
Come back Donald Barthelme: A symposium - curated & edited by Justin Taylor
The bed - Donald Barthelme
Pages - Donald Barthelme (writing as David Reiner)
Contents
Trouble: How to make millions in the oil market - Christopher R. Howard
Stockholm, 1973 - Joe Meno
Bored to death - Jonathan Ames
Look at me - Aaron Gwyn
Death of Nick Carter - Philippe Soupault (trans. Robin Walz)
Come back, Donald Barthelme: Introduction - Justin Taylor
Come back Donald Barthelme: A symposium - curated & edited by Justin Taylor
The bed - Donald Barthelme
Pages - Donald Barthelme (writing as David Reiner)
300 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2007
About the author
Dave Eggers
343 books9,587 followersDave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 8, 2024
One part of this collection is a tribute to Donald Barthelme, which I found interesting despite only having read a few of his short stories. Otherwise: a few good short stories, one I found boring and one I didn't understand (The Last Adventure of the Blue Phantom). I was surprised to see Jonathan Ames' "Bored to Death", although I didn't like the story as much as the tv show.
October 20, 2024
The exterior of the book was double-sided and trifold, with a cloth feel. There was a design on every panel, with an island theme. Maybe it was telling a story with the art, I am not sure. Whatever it was trying to do, it did not impress me.
Contents:
A booklet tucked into a pocket that was located on the first blank page of the book. I believe it was the first five chapters of a story, but it could also be selected chapters. Either/or, I did not love it. It was way too wordy. Which is unfortunate, because it had the potential to be something worth tracking down and reading in its entirety.
The copyright page noted that the interior art was credited to a military manual. I looked up the manual and could not figure out the connection. It also noted that the entire book contained content from all male authors. I am not the kind of person to focus on what gender the author is, so this little tidbit of info meant nothing to me.
Letters – None to be found, which totally bummed me out.
The first flip of the book was six stories.
My top two:
“Bored to Death” – Boring writer adds spice to his life.
“Look at Me” – Guy at the wrong place at the wrong time does a thing.
The second flip of the book was devoted to an author by the name of Donald Barthelme. It contained an introduction, a symposium, and two uncollected stories from the author. I wish I could say that I liked at least one of the two stories, but I did not. Though, I did see a glimmer of something that might work for me. My plan is to let the dust settle on this one and try it again later with something else from him.
Two stars to a book that delivered a future maybe, at best.
Contents:
A booklet tucked into a pocket that was located on the first blank page of the book. I believe it was the first five chapters of a story, but it could also be selected chapters. Either/or, I did not love it. It was way too wordy. Which is unfortunate, because it had the potential to be something worth tracking down and reading in its entirety.
The copyright page noted that the interior art was credited to a military manual. I looked up the manual and could not figure out the connection. It also noted that the entire book contained content from all male authors. I am not the kind of person to focus on what gender the author is, so this little tidbit of info meant nothing to me.
Letters – None to be found, which totally bummed me out.
The first flip of the book was six stories.
My top two:
“Bored to Death” – Boring writer adds spice to his life.
“Look at Me” – Guy at the wrong place at the wrong time does a thing.
The second flip of the book was devoted to an author by the name of Donald Barthelme. It contained an introduction, a symposium, and two uncollected stories from the author. I wish I could say that I liked at least one of the two stories, but I did not. Though, I did see a glimmer of something that might work for me. My plan is to let the dust settle on this one and try it again later with something else from him.
Two stars to a book that delivered a future maybe, at best.
November 3, 2010
Come Back Donald Barthelme: A tribute to America's hippest short story writer. I read Sixty Stories recently and found myself in a state of amazement. These testimonials to greatness show I'm not alone in my amazement state.
How To Make Millions in the Oil Market: I can't remember a single thing about this story, though I read it only yesterday. I remember one hideous sentence, which I quote here: "Not even in Fallujah when he was with the 82nd Airborne and the 3rd Cavalry had blamed them for their dead had anybody ever looked at him like that." Ouch!
Stockholm, 1973: A charming and witty telling of the bank robbery that lead to Nils Berjerot discovering Stockholm Syndrome.
Bored to Death: A grim but compelling story about the writer getting involved in a brutal kidnapping plot.
Look at Me: I liked this tale of a loser-becoming-a-hero-but-at-what-cost.
Death of Nick Carter: A story from the 1920s by Philippe Soupault. One of those curios McSweeney's likes to throw in to annoy or astound us.
The Last Adventure of the Blue Phantom: Starts out OK, but sags BADLY by being novella-sized in length and meandering about with no narrative discipline whatsoever.
I still wish McSweeney's would publish shorter stories in their quarterlies. If you don't like a piece, you are often stuck with it for thirty-odd pages, and that's your hard cheese. You're paying a hefty fee to be disappointed.
On the whole, though, another formidable issue.
How To Make Millions in the Oil Market: I can't remember a single thing about this story, though I read it only yesterday. I remember one hideous sentence, which I quote here: "Not even in Fallujah when he was with the 82nd Airborne and the 3rd Cavalry had blamed them for their dead had anybody ever looked at him like that." Ouch!
Stockholm, 1973: A charming and witty telling of the bank robbery that lead to Nils Berjerot discovering Stockholm Syndrome.
Bored to Death: A grim but compelling story about the writer getting involved in a brutal kidnapping plot.
Look at Me: I liked this tale of a loser-becoming-a-hero-but-at-what-cost.
Death of Nick Carter: A story from the 1920s by Philippe Soupault. One of those curios McSweeney's likes to throw in to annoy or astound us.
The Last Adventure of the Blue Phantom: Starts out OK, but sags BADLY by being novella-sized in length and meandering about with no narrative discipline whatsoever.
I still wish McSweeney's would publish shorter stories in their quarterlies. If you don't like a piece, you are often stuck with it for thirty-odd pages, and that's your hard cheese. You're paying a hefty fee to be disappointed.
On the whole, though, another formidable issue.
August 3, 2011
McSweeneys' self-confessed "boy-stories" issue. (Great cloth binding, opens on two sides.). I haven't read Donald Barthelme for 20 years, so didn't get into that half of the volume too much yet, but might one day. In the stories side, the first was shocking and powerful and moving - Christopher R. Howard, "How to Make Millions in the Oil Market" - even though I don't understand the names of weapons and military vehicles and am usually allergic to that sort of language. The frame is similar to Lorrie Moore's story about the child with cancer ("People like that are the only people here"). It's an audacious story in the best McSweeneys sense. Other stories attempt similar leaps - Jonathan Ames slips sideways and ironically into the gory detective genre from slacker ennui, for instance. I liked 2/3 of Eric Hanson's Blue Phantom story - he threw a bunch of plates in the air and spun them energetically, but somehow (and here my metaphors get terminally tangled) his knots tied too neatly at the end. The pay-off didn't. Aaron Gwyn's story too - breathtaking launch and suspenseful, panting second-by-second trajectory, and then, hmm, disappointing landing. I'll come back to re-read Joe Meno's cool-toned account of the robbery that spawned the term "Stockholm Syndrome" - he leaves a lot of spaces for the reader to fill. The Howard story is still the one I'll wave under friends' noses - "read this!"
April 29, 2018
The most notable aspect of this issue, and worth the price of admission alone, is the collection of essays about, remembrances of, and even two uncollected stories by Donald Barthelme. George Saunders’s essay in particular on “The School” is sharp and illuminating. The regular issue not so much.
May 11, 2022
Five stars because the Barthelme Tribute is worth everything--but also some good short stories in the other half (except for one very overwritten, maddeningly pointless fantasy piece). The first four stories are very fine, however. And the opulent offbeat cloth hardcover packaging is lovely.
July 9, 2017
Very nice introduction to Donald Barthelme plus other stories. My favorite being Ames' prelude to the wonderfully quirky and less gruesome HBO series Bored to Death.
September 28, 2017
Front half - 4 stars, Barthelme half - 2 stars
March 5, 2023
3/5 for the story half, 5/5 for the barthelme half
February 19, 2026
Liked the Blue Phantom. Not so much the nonfiction essays.
November 12, 2007
i started with the donald barthelme side. some long time ago when i was scouring used bookstores for anchor paperbacks with edward gorey covers i came across a gorey cover for come back dr. caligari by donald barthelme. the cover i thought at the time. the cover! odd and brilliant. but then i opened it. and the words. perfect sentences with tricks and twists and turns that were concise and led to the next. i became a fan with every turn of the page. i threw away my writing and started again. and then threw that away too. so. this mcsweeney's. this side of issue 24, "come back, donald barthelme" brought those moments beneath a dim light back to me. and robert coovers "donald was laconic." made me laugh and say yes. coover. yes. and the anecdote about how barthelme corrected a student regarding the name anthony powell (it's antony pole) brings me back again. to that dim light and that edward gorey cover. of lost authors. and names mispronounced. and you can mispronounce barthelme until someone corrects you but dig around and look on dusty shelves for his stories. and find a comfortable chair or a quiet lawn and open him up. in turn you too will open up to the way life is not neat or orderly. how when walking down the street the flaking red paint of a fire hydrant or the brown of dead grass in autumn brings back the people in your life. the moments of sitting on peeling paint porches with your grandmother who has the dull look in her clear eyes of yesterday. and how when a stray dog tried to come up on the porch she fished an ice cube out of the chipped lip depression glass pitcher and threw. hitting that dog square on the nose and how that dog backed down and walked away with its tail between its legs looking for a small child to bite. she didnt say a word. with polka music playing. she hit that dog on the nose like it is was nothing at all. and some day in the distance someone is going to pick up a picture of her and not remember her name but the story of peeling paint porches and ice cubes and courage will be retold as the light leaves the day. a recollection. a recollection.
June 24, 2009
The Barthelme half of this issue was cool, if a little sparse -- each anecdote is just that, and really short, and while it's a nice companion to the Daugherty bio, providing a concise, personal what have you, it definitely pales. Whatever though, it's not trying to be a 600 page bio, but just a nice remembrance. And it is. The other side of the issue, though, the stories, made me very much not regret my decision not to continue my subscription. They're all either totally violent or else just silly, which is typical of McSweeney's. Like speciously concerned with the war in Iraq and other topical international concerns, but then, like, also content to muck around with fun little detective stories with no real regard for human life. I was dramatically disappointed with the six stories in this issue.
The design is nice, and while I've seen the whole Z-fold binding before, they do a good job with it. McSweeney's obsession with cloth, though, has sort of run its course. It's like, dudes, it's just book cloth. True, though, I wish other publishers could afford such a luxury. Because it's really nice. I don't really know how McSwy's does it. Anyway, next.
The design is nice, and while I've seen the whole Z-fold binding before, they do a good job with it. McSweeney's obsession with cloth, though, has sort of run its course. It's like, dudes, it's just book cloth. True, though, I wish other publishers could afford such a luxury. Because it's really nice. I don't really know how McSwy's does it. Anyway, next.
May 25, 2009
Wow. This issue was firing on all cylinders. "Look At Me", "Bored to Death" and "Stockholm, 1973" are some of the best stories I've read in any McSweeney's. Hell, they're just some of the best stories that I've read. I was especially enthralled by "Stockholm, 1973". Joe Meno, the author of said piece, is a very soothing voice in literature today. The dreamy quality of his writing sets this story apart from the other violent stories contained within this issue. This story was a fictionalized account of the bank robbery that gave birth to the term Stockholm Syndrome. Meno's style conveys the bonds formed between the captors and hostages and reads much more like a story of star-crossed lovers than a bank heist tale.
The other half of this gorgeous z-fold hardcover is devoted to Donald Barthelme, a short story master that I had no experience with until reading this issue. After reading the two stories of his collected here and the engaging and often heartbreaking remembrances of his colleagues and friends, I am quickly becoming a huge fan. Can't wait to get Sixty Stories.
The other half of this gorgeous z-fold hardcover is devoted to Donald Barthelme, a short story master that I had no experience with until reading this issue. After reading the two stories of his collected here and the engaging and often heartbreaking remembrances of his colleagues and friends, I am quickly becoming a huge fan. Can't wait to get Sixty Stories.
November 1, 2007
I am loving this issue, which is orgainzed into two parts, one a tribute to Donald Barthelme (whom I love), the other a collection of wild, fast stories.
The stories move, stay in the immediate, and grab you right from the start. These are stories you take on a train ride, a waiting room, a small window of time in your day that needs filling. They will fill that window of time fast. They define, to me, what short stories have to be in order to grab readers, not just writers or professors. Eggers seems to want to entertain the reader, not impress a writer.
I think if more magazines were managed like McSweeneys the short story would take off.
Most stories in this magazine are entertaining. And importantly SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS. Themes are thoughtful and real. Characters are original and very human.
That is good storytelling. I love my McSweeneys!
The stories move, stay in the immediate, and grab you right from the start. These are stories you take on a train ride, a waiting room, a small window of time in your day that needs filling. They will fill that window of time fast. They define, to me, what short stories have to be in order to grab readers, not just writers or professors. Eggers seems to want to entertain the reader, not impress a writer.
I think if more magazines were managed like McSweeneys the short story would take off.
Most stories in this magazine are entertaining. And importantly SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS. Themes are thoughtful and real. Characters are original and very human.
That is good storytelling. I love my McSweeneys!
April 24, 2008
A pretty interesting issue. Three highlights:
--a great, and creepy and scary, story by Jonathan Ames called "Bored to Death." One of my favorite McSweeney's stories in some time.
--I learned some stuff about the origin of the term Stockholm Syndrome. The only problem is that the story was fictionalized but I don't know how much -- guess I should hit the books (or at least the Wikipdedia).
--I learned some about Donald Barthelme, an author I was completely unfamiliar with (a problem I have with too many authors of the last 30 years or so). Interesting stuff, and it got me to read his story "The School," which is really great.
--a great, and creepy and scary, story by Jonathan Ames called "Bored to Death." One of my favorite McSweeney's stories in some time.
--I learned some stuff about the origin of the term Stockholm Syndrome. The only problem is that the story was fictionalized but I don't know how much -- guess I should hit the books (or at least the Wikipdedia).
--I learned some about Donald Barthelme, an author I was completely unfamiliar with (a problem I have with too many authors of the last 30 years or so). Interesting stuff, and it got me to read his story "The School," which is really great.
January 25, 2012
Firstly - love the design of this McSweeneys issue so much! Even if I did not enjoy the content it would just be an honour having this on the shelf! Fortunately I thoroughly enjoyed the fiction component of this issue, excluding the final tale which was very 'Conrad' - sorry, but I hate Conrad. Having said that, the story is well written and has a rather menacing tone, I just loathe that particular style. Not being familiar with Donald Barthelme, I found my interest in 'the symposium' (which makes up the second half of this issue) waned quickly so I can't comment so much on that but I am sure fans of his would be overjoyed as I would be if it was about an author I treasure. A great issue.
August 7, 2013
I liked the stories in this edition of McSweeney's, but I didn't finish the Donald Barthelme side. I liked the two stories of his that they published (the first one more than the other), but having never read him before, I wasn't too interested in reading all the rememberences. It did however give me a new author to rummage through bookstores for. Perhaps I will come back to it once I have read more of him.
The book itself is beautiful with it's z-binding (it's like two books grafted together). Bored to Death by Jonathan Ames was especially entertaining.
The book itself is beautiful with it's z-binding (it's like two books grafted together). Bored to Death by Jonathan Ames was especially entertaining.
January 22, 2008
I liked the stories in this edition of McSweeney's, but I didn't finish the Donald Barthelme side. I liked the two stories of his that they published (the first one more than the other), but having never read him before, I wasn't too interested in reading all the rememberences. It did however give me a new author to rummage through bookstores for. Perhaps I will come back to it once I have read more of him.
The book itself is beautiful with it's z-binding (it's like two books grafted together). Bored to Death by Jonathan Ames was especially entertaining.
The book itself is beautiful with it's z-binding (it's like two books grafted together). Bored to Death by Jonathan Ames was especially entertaining.
November 11, 2007
this books has an array of all male authors. the stories were, as usual for mcsweeney's, written well and curious...but seriously demented this time. several stories were so scary to me that they gave me nightmares. i dont usually read violent stories or books so even the slightest amount of crime and/or blood startles me. to be honest, i still haven't read 'the other side' of this book. that is one longer novella (?) yet by another guy. not sure why but i just can't get started on that one....but i will.
March 19, 2011
A long short story of mine is included in this issue of McSweeney's. I ought to have posted it and commented on it earlier but it came out at the same time my book was coming out and I was rather busy. I recommend THE LAST ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE PHANTOM to readers who enjoy Raymond Chandler or other hardboiled writers. There is a bit of Joseph Conrad in it too, I think, as I look back on it. The twinned story lines, the sub-tropical setting, the atmosphere of doom. It's less satiric than my other McSweeney's stories. This volume of McSweeney's is still available.
October 28, 2007
I really enjoyed this issue. Half of it is peoples' remembrances of Donald Barthelme, several-hundred-word anecdotes about their experiences with him. I've been re-reading '40 Stories,' so this came at a particularly appropriate time. That half of the book also had two previously un-republished Barthelme stories. He really was a master.
The other half of the issue was made up of five new pieces of fiction, all good. I especially liked the new Jonathan Ames.
The other half of the issue was made up of five new pieces of fiction, all good. I especially liked the new Jonathan Ames.
May 31, 2009
The Barthelme 'symposium' is fauning and illuminating in equal measure.
Good stories - emphasis on men and guns, but men and guns in an 'intellectual' way, not a 'Van Damme' way. Joe Meno's 'Stockholm, 1973' is the standout from a very strong pack. Whimsical, congenial and wise. Jonathan Ames and Eric Hanson both turn out page turner-turns. Aaron Gwyn's 'Look at Me' is a masterclass in grabbing from the get go.
Good stories - emphasis on men and guns, but men and guns in an 'intellectual' way, not a 'Van Damme' way. Joe Meno's 'Stockholm, 1973' is the standout from a very strong pack. Whimsical, congenial and wise. Jonathan Ames and Eric Hanson both turn out page turner-turns. Aaron Gwyn's 'Look at Me' is a masterclass in grabbing from the get go.
December 2, 2007
I just don't know about this one. Aside from Miranda July, I'm a bit disappointed at McSweeney's choice of pieces in this one. I felt like every other story was something I'd hear while sitting in a circle of a community college creative writing class. The night was...the night was dark. Dark and foggy, you know?
January 18, 2010
This is by far the best issue of McSweeney's I have ever read. The story "Stockholm, 1973," alone would be worth the read, but when you add the Barthelme symposium; the flip style layout of the whole thing (that, my friends, was bad-ass); plus, lots of gunplay and some mayhem: you are getting a real bang (pun intended), for your proverbial, reading buck. Come on feel the noise.
October 12, 2007
I am currently reading the half of this that is all about Donald Barthelme, and it is fascinating and makes me want to read him (I don't think I ever have). So expect to see Mr. Barthelme on the "now reading" list soon.
October 30, 2007
so far i've only read the first five stories in the front side. there's a lot of killing. with guns. And sometimes hands. which is cool cause it makes me nervous and excited, but uncool cause i like to read while i eat and sometimes the violence makes me feel kind of pukey.
March 7, 2012
Even the weakest McSweeney's quarterly's are worthwhile and enjoyable. Embarrassing to admit, but this was a great introduction to Barthelme for me. Enjoyed Jonathan Aames' story but am still surprised that, of all his great stories, that was the one that sparked an HBO series.
March 21, 2010
The first two stories were a little slow for me, but this issue got into full, awesome swing with Johnathan Ames's amateur detective story "Bored to Death," and Philippe Soupault's avant-garde professional one, "Death of Nick Carter." "The Last Adventure of the Blue Phantom," closed things nicely.
February 8, 2016
A z-spine Mcsweeney's which includes new material from authors like Jonathan Ames, and a symposium on Donald Barthelme. If you have not been introduced to Don B. this is a great place to start. If you already know and love Donald Barthelme you won't be disappointed.
October 31, 2007
A great introduction to Barthleme, and a great collection on the flip side. My favorite so far: Ames. Can't get enough of that guy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews