First published 2009
Series editor Laura Furman assembled twenty outstanding contemporary short stories from hundreds of literary magazines for this annual collection. The stories transport readers across continents and decades. Characters navigate the aftermath of war in Vietnam, wealthy residents scheme within a Cape Town seaside development, villagers endure hardship in an Egyptian desert settlement, and New Yorkers adapt to a city plunged into permanent darkness. Each tale captures people at turning points, revealing how ordinary individuals respond when circumstances push them beyond their comfort zones. The writers explore themes of displacement, survival, and human connection across vastly different cultures and situations. Beyond the stories themselves, the collection includes critical essays from distinguished jurors explaining their selections, personal reflections from winning authors about their creative inspiration, and a comprehensive directory of literary magazines for readers seeking more contemporary fiction.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, literary-fiction, anthologies, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: ordinary-people, turning-point
Setting: Cape Town, Egypt, New York, Vietnam
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
435 pages · Paperback · Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group