Book Review: Selected Stories by Alice Munro

This book review of Selected Stories by Alice Munro is part of my Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime Quest.

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Hey everyone! Time to review Selected Stories by Alice Munro. For a while now, I’ve been working my way through Amazon’s 100 books to read in a lifetime list. I was in the mood for some short stories (not an especially common occurrence for me), so I decided to give Selected Stories a try. I was hoping for a treat give the legendary reptuation of Alice Munro. She’s one of those authors that people rave about, and she even won a Nobel Prize in Literature – so my expectations were pretty high. This book is a collection of her short stories that explore the lives of everyday people, usually focusing on women and their experiences. It can depend on where I am in life, but I like stories that offer a peek into different lives from new perspectives I don’t always think about.

I thought I’d find fascinating plots and relatable characters, but, well, I think my expectations were probably a bit too high. I was hoping for gripping stories, but what I got felt more like a series of long chats over tea about people I’d never met. And while I enjoy a good chat, it just didn’t feel like I fit into this conversation very well.

What I Liked

But it’s not all negative. Let’s go over a few things I liked.

Beautiful Writing

First off, Alice Munro has an obvious gift for beautiful writing. Seriously, her words flow like a gentle river. She knows how to craft a sentence that can make you stop and think, “Wow!” She paints pictures with her words that can make even the most mundane settings come alive. Whether she’s describing a kitchen filled with the smell of fresh cookies or a rainy afternoon, you can almost feel yourself there. That’s a talent not everyone has!

Relatable Themes

Another good thing about the stories is that they touch on relatable themes. We all deal with love, loss, family drama, and friendships. Munro dives into these topics in a way that makes you nod your head and think, “Yeah, I get that.” For example, some stories tackle the struggles of growing up or the complexities of relationships. If you’ve ever felt confused about your own life or relationships, you might find some comfort in her writing.

Short and Snackable

Also, each story is relatively short. If, like me, you read short stories in part for the convenience of getting a full story in a shorter amount of time, this is great! I like to pick up short stories while I’m waiting for the kids somewhere or in the waiting room at a doctor’s office. I can just pick up the book and in a relatively short time, immerse myself briefly in another universe.

What I Didn’t Like

Now, let’s get to the reasons this just didn’t hit for me. I really wanted to love this book, but there were some big issues that made it hard for me to enjoy it.

Boring Stories

For starters, a lot of the stories felt like they were dragging on forever. I mean, come on, where’s the excitement? I kept waiting for something to happen, but it was mostly people talking about their feelings and thoughts. And while feelings are important, I was hoping for more action! It felt like a long chat with a friend who just kept going on and on about the same thing. Sometimes, you just want a good story with some twists and turns, not a marathon of reflection.

Lack of Engaging Characters

Another problem was that many of the characters seemed to blend together. I had a tough time keeping track of who was who. Some stories had so many characters that I lost interest because I couldn’t remember their names or their roles. It’s hard to root for a character when you can’t even remember what they’re about! I wanted to connect with someone, to cheer them on or get mad at them, but they all felt like shadows passing by rather than fully formed people.

No Real Plot Twists

Let’s talk about plot twists (or the lack thereof). I love when a story takes an unexpected turn—it keeps things exciting! But in “Selected Stories,” the plots often felt flat and predictable. I was waiting for that “Aha!” moment where everything changes, but it never really came. And yes, I recognize this might not have been a completely realistic expectation for Munro’s stories. But, I still felt like I was just watching life unfold without anything interesting to me happening. It’s kind of like watching a movie where you feel like you probably already know the ending.

Too Much Focus on the Mundane

Many of these stories focus on the, let’s say, more the parts of life that are more mundane. Don’t get me wrong – everyday life can be beautiful and it’s important to stop and smell the roses from time to time. But, I just wanted a bit more from this. There’s only so much time I want to spend reading about someone’s grocery shopping or how they feel about their neighbor’s cat. I know not every story needs to be a grand adventure, but a little excitement would certainly go a long way.

Overall Vibe

Lastly, the overall vibe of the book just felt a bit heavy. While some readers might appreciate the depth of feeling, I found it a bit overwhelming. It was like trying to carry a backpack full of bricks instead of a light, fun bag. Sometimes you just want to read something that lifts your spirits rather than weighs them down, you know?

Parting Thoughts

Ok.. so.. Selected Stories by Alice Munro just wasn’t my cup of tea. I have huge respect for Munro as a writer still, and I hope to give her other work a go. But I give this a 1/5 star rating because, even though the writing is undeniably beautiful and the themes are relatable, the stories lacked engagement for me in this place in my life. If you enjoy deep reflections and don’t mind a slower pace, you might find something to appreciate here.

But if you’re like me and prefer stories that keep you on your toes a little more or offer you a little more diversion from the real world, you might want to skip this one. Life is too short for books that don’t connect! Happy reading, everyone!

Other Reads You Might Enjoy

• Sandman Book 1, Neil Gaiman
• Selected Stories by Alice Munro

About the Author

Alice Munro is a famous Canadian author known for her short stories. She has written many books, including “Dance of the Happy Shades” and “Dear Life.” Munro often explores themes like love, family, and the challenges of everyday life. Her stories feature strong, complex female characters who face tough choices. In 2013, she won the Nobel Prize in Literature, making her the first Canadian woman to receive this honor. Many readers admire her for her clear writing style and deep insights into human emotions. Alice Munro’s work continues to inspire writers and readers around the world.