Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Average Customer Rating:

So good I bought 2!	Customer Rating:
I just purchased my second copy for a friend because I didn't want to give mine up! This a gem of a book!

Who would think a textbook would be great reading?	Customer Rating:
Great selections of atypical stories--not your average short story textbook. Everyone of them is a winner. Great even for quality reading.

rich collection of stories

Customer Rating:

Although I haven't yet read all the stories in this collection of international short fiction, those I've read are very good. I don't expect to enjoy all of them, of course, but so far, the stories that I've read are well-chosen and fine examples of literature by authors from many different places in the world. Our book club is using the text, and every two weeks we discuss another two stories. It will keep us busy and happy for a long time! Not only are we enjoying the quality of the works, we are fascinated by the variety of the cultural experiences to which we are introduced.

Buy two, you'll wear one out.

Customer Rating:

I use anthologies as a way of discovering new authors. If a particular story is thought good enough by the editor to be included in his anthology, I am encouraged to give it a try. In "The Art of the Tale" I have yet to find a clinker. Halpern has introduced me to authors I have been wondering about and authors new to me, with stories great and good, but always well worth reading. This anthology is my new back seat book: the book I keep in the back seat of the car so that I always have something to read at the diner or waiting room, or in line at the bank.

Slow.	Customer Rating:
Took pretty long to get to me. Was worn, but not written in or highlighted, which is good.