I remember several years ago, I was at a used book store and bought a novel by Boyle. I don't remember which of his novels it was but I do remember the bookstore owner telling me that Boyle is known more for his excellent short stories than for his novels. I can't disagree with that statement but I do love both his novels and his stories.
This collection was especially good and well worth reading. Boyle is really a master of the English language and his stories keep you engrossed throughout. The stories were really wide ranging and I enjoyed all of them. Included was a story about an underage girl who drives for her father when he was inebriated (Balto); one about a man delivering a donor liver when he gets stopped by a mudslide and must help in the rescue effort (La Conchita); a story about a boy who is unable to feel pain and its consequences (Sin Dolor); one about a man who lies about the health of his child to get out of work (The Lie); one about a rich couple who pay $250,000 to clone their dog (Admiral); one about a man who loses his wife and ends up getting a pet rat and is then inundated with them (Thirteen Hundred Rats); and the titular tale about a child who was left in the wilds of France by his mother and was then captured and unsuccessfully civilized (The Wild Child). The Wild Child was based on the true account of the wild boy of Aveyron which occurred around 1800.
As I said, all of these stories were enjoyable and I would highly recommend this volume along with most anything written by Boyle. Of his novels, I think I enjoyed Drop City probably the most but all are worth reading. I'll be looking forward to more of his works.
This collection was especially good and well worth reading. Boyle is really a master of the English language and his stories keep you engrossed throughout. The stories were really wide ranging and I enjoyed all of them. Included was a story about an underage girl who drives for her father when he was inebriated (Balto); one about a man delivering a donor liver when he gets stopped by a mudslide and must help in the rescue effort (La Conchita); a story about a boy who is unable to feel pain and its consequences (Sin Dolor); one about a man who lies about the health of his child to get out of work (The Lie); one about a rich couple who pay $250,000 to clone their dog (Admiral); one about a man who loses his wife and ends up getting a pet rat and is then inundated with them (Thirteen Hundred Rats); and the titular tale about a child who was left in the wilds of France by his mother and was then captured and unsuccessfully civilized (The Wild Child). The Wild Child was based on the true account of the wild boy of Aveyron which occurred around 1800.
As I said, all of these stories were enjoyable and I would highly recommend this volume along with most anything written by Boyle. Of his novels, I think I enjoyed Drop City probably the most but all are worth reading. I'll be looking forward to more of his works.
