Rating: 
Summary: Near perfect account of a lost way of American life
Review: The narrow slice of America and the privileged Americans about whom Cheever writes are mostly long-gone--gone with the second World War, with the ubiquitous wearing of hats by men, with prettiness and ladylike ways the only surface requirements for women, with drinking accompanied by secrecy and shame, with country clubs as the center of social lives. Yet the stories resonate still because they are so gorgeously crafted that they rise above the details which might otherwise date them. "Goodbye My Brother" stands, to my mind, as one of the finest examples of the American short story ever written. In its pages you will find family, jealousy, adultery, childhood grievances spilling over into late adulthood arguments, drinking, ignorance of great privilege, bad behavior, card games, beach houses, and patrician resolve to ignore all indiscretion. Though you will find the same elements in many other Cheever stories, his brilliance is in his ability to hew different stories by the dozen out of essentially the same basic ingredients. Despite their similarities, his stories each stand on their own, little wonders of detail. Each story is a different shake of the same kaleidoscope. This collection is marvelous, and provides long-term satisfaction and wonderment at Cheever's talent.
Rating:
Summary: A Good American Short Story Book
Review: This is one of the best short story American books I've read. Cheever narrates these stories about ordinary people in a simplistic and nervous fashion. Cheever subtlety describes his characters as pathetic in a sarcastic way but effectively manages to get his readers to like them. His stories are at times shady, moralistic, and mystical that keeps you practically glued to the pages of the book. My favorites are The Swimmer, and The Enormous Radio. Even though his topics touch on the lives of the so called "Wasps", I don't think you have to be one, but have the knowledge of how people that live in quiet desperation live in order to understand and enjoy Cheever's writings.
Rating:
Summary: One of the all-time greats
Review: Wanting to have good national writers is a powerful motivator. I think that this has happened with John Cheever, from the retrospective praise of his work to our fascination with his bisexuality and persistent alcoholism. Indeed, his personal demons are far more interesting than his prose. While I read isolated stories in mags and liked them, reading them in a lump like this makes his weaknesses seem very plain indeed. His stories almost all revolve around a common plot: things in the suburbs don't turn out the way we want, and most often, a lot of alcohol does little to soften the blow of deteriorating reliationships, alienated children, and nothing to do in retirement. When you read 20 stories like that in a row, Cheever appears as a feeble writer indeed. This a throwaway magazing writing, not some timeless achievement that should enter the pantheon. Not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: You owe it to your bookshelf
Review: You owe it your bookshelf to own this compendium of John Cheever stories. I borrowed mine from the library, and thought I'd read perhaps half in the alloted time. Renewed once, then let the fines pile up, as I kept reading "just one more story." One a night is perfect bedtime reading...but with nearly 5 dozen stories...well you get the picture. These are dark, dark tales of life at its zenith...ultra confident, comfortable post-war America. Florid description, rich portraiture, and slick storylines, Cheever's stories contain more than a few eye-popping twists and surprise endings. All the hallmarks of championship short-stories. Warning: Restock the cabinet with gin and imagine the vermouth before reading. Cheever serves his Martini with a capital M.
Rating:
Summary: You owe it to your bookshelf
Review: You owe it your bookshelf to own this compendium of John Cheever stories. I borrowed mine from the library, and thought I'd read perhaps half in the alloted time. Renewed once, then let the fines pile up, as I kept reading "just one more story." One a night is perfect bedtime reading...but with nearly 5 dozen stories...well you get the picture. These are dark, dark tales of life at its zenith...ultra confident, comfortable post-war America. Florid description, rich portraiture, and slick storylines, Cheever's stories contain more than a few eye-popping twists and surprise endings. All the hallmarks of championship short-stories. Warning: Restock the cabinet with gin and imagine the vermouth before reading. Cheever serves his Martini with a capital M.
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