Voices of the Lost and Found (Made in Michigan Writers Series) (Made in Michigan Writers Series) | 
| Author: Dorene O'brien
Publisher: Wayne State Univ Pr
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $7.40
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Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 973359
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.5
ISBN: 081433346X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780814333464
ASIN: 081433346X
Publication Date: June 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: brand new book in shrink-wrap
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Voices of the Lost and Found is the first full-length collection of fiction from accomplished Metro Detroit writer Dorene O Brien. In eleven first-person stories, a variety of authentic and unexpected voices come to the forefront to confess or retell stories of lost innocence or betrayal from the urban graffiti artist who plots the downfall of a rival gang, to the middle-aged woman reliving a harrowing childhood abduction, to the young man who remodels his house in a misguided attempt to win back his wife, to the teenager who is lured into a crime spree after trusting a dark and disturbed friend.
The startlingly real speakers of Voices of the Lost and Found are drawn directly from contemporary culture, and together they present a striking portrait of alienation, volatility, diversity, and violence in postmodern America. O Brien s characters inhabit diverse yet familiar landscapes, including abandoned buildings, convenience stores, university dorms, crisis intervention centers, Buddhist retreats, and psychiatrists offices. Here, the lonely and troubled characters face tremendous obstacles that will ultimately transform their lives. When they meet tragedy, as they often do, they are forced to confront their liability and the realization that faulty decisions have irrevocable consequences. Told with honesty and intense emotion, the stories allow readers to experience the full weight of each character s particular burden and to understand his or her complex personal motivations firsthand.
Though the voices change, the tone of the collection is consistently strong and convincing, bringing forth a fresh perspective on both contemporary social issues and modern angst. This adventurous and memorable collection of short fiction will appeal to a diverse audience.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
A Discovery Not To Be Missed January 2, 2008
"Voices of the Lost and Found" has to rank as one of contemporary fiction's top short story collections, that all-too-rare blend of master craftsmanship and totally compelling fiction. Each story hooks its reader from the first sentence to the last period - and far beyond -- into edgy mini worlds, each so different it's hard to believe the same person created them. The insights into human relationships, delicious surprises and downright entertaining storytelling make for powerful reading. I found myself slowing down about halfway through the collection - because I didn't want to hit the point where I had no more stories to read! It's the perfect gift for those who treasure short stories with power and zing.
A startlingly original voice creates a dark ride November 21, 2007
Reading the stories in Dorene O'Brien's short story collection, Voices of the Lost and Found, is akin to having a carnival worker assure you that there's nothing to worry about, even as he grins menacingly watching the car you're sitting in enter some dark tunnel ahead. I skipped around as I often do in a collection of shorts, and was wrapped up in a blaze of tension right off the bat, immersing myself in Riding the Hubcap, a tale of two young men on the run from a rural Michigan city after a string of robberies. The characters in Voices are from many walks of life, young and old, black and white, and it only adds to the rich layering present in O'Brien's prose. But even if you start at the beginning, you'll be rewarded with great storytelling. Ovenbirds will pull you into O'Brien's way of writing instantly, as you agonize for the outcome of the life of a young mother who was once the captive victim of a misogynistic killer deep in the Catskills. O'Brien's voice, while so unique, is typical of Michigan's many hidden jewels. That is to say, it's there for everyone to discover, right under one's feet, but sometimes it takes a little luck to unearth it. The roller coaster ride her yarns takes us on is worth the price of admission.
Virtuoso September 4, 2007
If you haven't read Dorene O'Brien before, be advised: This is one of those anthologies where you will read one story or maybe just one page of Ms. O'Brien's writing and you will know that twenty years from now, you will remember where you were. She is that good.
You will know you are witnessing something special. Another reviewer used the word virtuosity. I couldn't agree more. From the unexpected endings to the diverse voices, from the edgy settings to the incredible empathy with the human condition, Ms. O'brien articulates her stories with absolute virtuosity.
A great writer with a wild imagination September 1, 2007
The voices, attitudes and personalities of every character in every story are so different, it's difficult to believe all of these stories are written by one person. O'Brien's writing is breathtaking and her imagination is downright astonishing! A wonderful collection of short stories.
Read This Book Before You Die August 19, 2007
The woman can write. There you go. The stories in this collection are clever, insightful, and each one is memorable in its own way. If you appreciate good ideas and a style that complements each story rather than overwhelming it, this is the collection for you. Think Raymond Carver. Think Edgar Allan Poe (without the obsession about being entombed alive). A terrific assortment of stories that are even better on a second reading.
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