Literary My Oedipus Complex and Other Stories by Frank O'Connor - Page 4

Bookpossum · 12-31-2013, 06:42 PM

I had The Best of from the library and had to give it back a couple of days ago when I finished it. It was quite a wrench, so I'm going to have to get a copy of as many of O'Connor's stories as I can. I need him in my life and my own library!

I think I am most haunted by the story called "Michael's Wife" - I can't stop thinking about it. Well, and also "Guests of the Nation".

Thank you all for your good wishes for the New Year (which we are already into down here) and of course my best wishes to you all too. I'm looking forward to another great year in your company.

BelleZora · 12-31-2013, 06:53 PM

I found Michael's Wife to be haunting, too. I had that 'huh?' feeling at the end as I did in many (most?) of the Dubliners stories and was grateful for the explanation that followed.

What did you make of the stomach injury?

Spoiler:

Bookpossum · 12-31-2013, 07:32 PM

Spoiler:

BelleZora · 12-31-2013, 07:37 PM

Michael's Wife

Spoiler:

BelleZora · 12-31-2013, 07:43 PM

Just want to mention that, although all the stories in The Best of Frank O'Connor are really wonderful, I was especially touched by the stories in the last section: Last Things. The last scene in The Mass Island was so poignant that I ended the book with a good cry.

Bookpossum · 01-01-2014, 12:50 AM

Yes, it was a very touching story. Indeed, not a disappointing story or essay in the whole book.

PS Yes, that was another possibility in "Michael's Wife".

Bookworm_Girl · 02-01-2014, 12:51 PM

Finally I have finished the "Best of" collection! Took me awhile with too many business trips the last few months. I also wanted to stretch them out for enjoyment. I am glad that I read Dubliners at the same time because it was interesting to compare the styles of these two authors. It is too difficult to chose a favorite story! I especially liked the childhood stories. First Confession was great at capturing the big sister / little brother dynamic even though he was an only child.

Thank you, fantasyfan, for introducing me to this author & the other nominations as well!

12-31-2013, 06:53 PM	#47
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,432 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Libra 2	I found Michael's Wife to be haunting, too. I had that 'huh?' feeling at the end as I did in many (most?) of the Dubliners stories and was grateful for the explanation that followed. What did you make of the stomach injury? Spoiler: Why do you think that she never told Michael's family that he was dead?

12-31-2013, 07:32 PM	#48
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Spoiler: Well, as there was a reference by the father to there being time for her to have children, I took it to be that she may have had a Caesarian and lost the baby, probably at the time of her husband's death. I think she came to Ireland to tell them of his death, and then just couldn't bear to do so because it would cause them so much grief.

12-31-2013, 07:37 PM	#49
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,432 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Libra 2	Michael's Wife Spoiler: Yes, a caesarean is likely. I even imagined a car wreck where she was injured and he was killed. How hard it would be to ruin their lives with the terrible news! Haunting, indeed.

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12-31-2013, 06:42 PM	#46
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	I had The Best of from the library and had to give it back a couple of days ago when I finished it. It was quite a wrench, so I'm going to have to get a copy of as many of O'Connor's stories as I can. I need him in my life and my own library! I think I am most haunted by the story called "Michael's Wife" - I can't stop thinking about it. Well, and also "Guests of the Nation". Thank you all for your good wishes for the New Year (which we are already into down here) and of course my best wishes to you all too. I'm looking forward to another great year in your company.

12-31-2013, 07:43 PM	#50
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,432 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Libra 2	Just want to mention that, although all the stories in The Best of Frank O'Connor are really wonderful, I was especially touched by the stories in the last section: Last Things. The last scene in The Mass Island was so poignant that I ended the book with a good cry.

01-01-2014, 12:50 AM	#51
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Yes, it was a very touching story. Indeed, not a disappointing story or essay in the whole book. PS Yes, that was another possibility in "Michael's Wife".

02-01-2014, 12:51 PM	#52
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,871 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	Finally I have finished the "Best of" collection! Took me awhile with too many business trips the last few months. I also wanted to stretch them out for enjoyment. I am glad that I read Dubliners at the same time because it was interesting to compare the styles of these two authors. It is too difficult to chose a favorite story! I especially liked the childhood stories. First Confession was great at capturing the big sister / little brother dynamic even though he was an only child. Thank you, fantasyfan, for introducing me to this author & the other nominations as well!