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Rating: 
Summary: I PICKED THIS UP AT A LIBRARY SALE ...
Review: and boy was it a bargain. I found these stories to be mesmerizing and I barreled through them in just a few days. One of the other reviewers mentioned that the themes of these stories are similar, but I still was riveted by the characters, their unusual situations and what they chose to do in them. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterful
Review: Dobyns' dark genius spreads its wings through sixteen different airs of presumption and normality. You want to be as smart and funny as this guy, you really do
Rating:
Summary: Step Into A Different World
Review: Having never read anything by Stephen Dobyns, this was a new experience in other-worldliness. A compilation of short stories by Dobyns, the title story gives us a peak into the mind of a man dealing with the same frustrations which haunt each of us. His solution is far different than what we might seek, but there is an "everyman" quality to his choice -- we WISH we could do that...The book is filled with images which will stay with you long after finishing the book -- from pigs hurling from the sky to a lovingly propped-up old dead man. You'll smile as you recall the vivid pictures painted by Dobyns. If you've never tried this kind of book before, give it a shot -- you'll enjoy the adventure! Steven Reis
Rating:
Summary: Good book of short stories, same themes, however
Review: I'm a fan of the short story, and I'm always interested in finding new books of short story collections. Dobyns' title of this collection grabbed my attention immediately (Eating Naked), and hence, I had to buy it. The first few stories I read in Stephen Dobyns', Eating Naked, I was really impressed. The stories flowed nicely, the characters were interesting, and the stories made you think. Then, I realized, Dobyns has a fascination on marriages and/or relationships that are falling apart, cheating, and dreams of murdering a loved one (or used to be loved one). Having one or two or even three stories like this in a collection is fine, but having almost all of them repeating the same pattern, with just the characters and circumstances changing all the time, gets slightly tiring. I even had to check the author's bio to see if it said whether he was married or not because his characters seem so bitter about their marriages (possibly a reflection on his life?). I was most impressed with the last story in the collection, mostly because it strayed a bit away from the theme of marriage as a wreckage in life, and centered on younger people. While the theme of ruined relationships was still there, it was tucked away a bit more than the others. All in all, I did enjoy Dobyns as a writer, and would like to read some of his longer fiction. If you can get past all the stories being somewhat similar in nature, then Eating Naked is a great find.
Rating:
Summary: Good book of short stories, same themes, however
Review: I'm a fan of the short story, and I'm always interested in finding new books of short story collections. Dobyns' title of this collection grabbed my attention immediately (Eating Naked), and hence, I had to buy it. The first few stories I read in Stephen Dobyns', Eating Naked, I was really impressed. The stories flowed nicely, the characters were interesting, and the stories made you think. Then, I realized, Dobyns has a fascination on marriages and/or relationships that are falling apart, cheating, and dreams of murdering a loved one (or used to be loved one). Having one or two or even three stories like this in a collection is fine, but having almost all of them repeating the same pattern, with just the characters and circumstances changing all the time, gets slightly tiring. I even had to check the author's bio to see if it said whether he was married or not because his characters seem so bitter about their marriages (possibly a reflection on his life?). I was most impressed with the last story in the collection, mostly because it strayed a bit away from the theme of marriage as a wreckage in life, and centered on younger people. While the theme of ruined relationships was still there, it was tucked away a bit more than the others. All in all, I did enjoy Dobyns as a writer, and would like to read some of his longer fiction. If you can get past all the stories being somewhat similar in nature, then Eating Naked is a great find.
Rating:
Summary: Soul searching, mesmerizing, and never ceasing to surprise
Review: Stephen Dobyns has a wonderful talent for making light-hearted, almost comic narratives work in conveying a deeper message to his readers. Eating Naked is a wonderful collection of short stories that will never stop amazing you with thier simply written, yet highly intriguing, not to mention- very original- plots. It is not simply a book of stories, but a book on some very interesting modern day/pop culture philosphies. You won't regret reading it, it can really inspire. And it's good reading material for those long but not too long bus rides.
Rating:
Summary: You'll fly through it and wish for more.
Review: This collection of short stories tells the tale of otherwise normal human beings, explaining their lives in matter-of-fact and humorous voices. It is truly a delightful read. You'll want to explore the author more after fininshing.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book.
Review: This is the first Stephen Dobyns book I've read, but it won't be the last. These stories, about ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations, sing to me. They're funny, enlightening, well-written and accessible. His writing reminds me of that of Steven Millhauser, another little-known author who deserves a wider audience. Thank you Stephen Dobyns for such magic....
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