Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic, Coenesque dreamland
Review: A collection of stories which not only herald a long and successful career as a fictional novel writer, but which also makes definable links to the brothers film work. Original and very, very funny, in a way only ever really created by a Coen.The man is a God.
Rating: 
Summary: A Mark Twain-like ear for discourse
Review: A couple of these stories should be radio shows -- they'll remind the 40+ crowd of a straighter, and more talented, version of the early-'70's "Firesign Theater" productions. Coen's genius is for flat out perfect pitch of the colloquial -- a gift he shares with Mark Twain. And Mr Coen's pitch is just as right-on with homicidal lowlifes as it is with Ma and Pa Kettle, or crusty British Foreign Office types. The stories are all brilliant and wry as your twisted sister -- but be advised, you won't want to re-read them because, as with most humor (and most cinema), you'll get everything there is on one go. I suppose they're also really too commercial, read: vulgar, to be fully satisfying. Nonetheless, I'll wager we'll be reading a lot more of Ethan Coen in the years ahead -- check out his WONDERFUL lyrical little squib on "Winter" in the last issue of the 1998 New Yorker. That miniature uses little dialogue, but notice how it's the best piece of prose in the magazine. Young Mr Coen could become our next Mark Twain.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and distrubing...
Review: As a big fan of his movies, I was really inpressed with this collection of short stories. This guy can really write. GATES OF EDEN will leave you wondering if every story included could be made into a film. Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: From Hector Berlioz, p.i., to the weights-and-measures man.
Review: Coen brothers. Just say the words, and most moviegoers can tell you what you're probably in for. Crime. Criminals. Mystery. Shenanigans. The same holds true for "Gates of Eden," a collection of short stories by Ethan Coen, one-half of the brother team (bro is Joel Coen) that created such contemporary classics as "Blood Simple," "Fargo," "O Brother Where Art Thou?" and, most recently, "The Man Who Wasn't There." With the short stories in "Gates," Ethan displays the tendency to irresistible characters that the brothers have put to such acclaimed use in their films. And characters they are. Hapless schmucks, crooks who just don't seem to have a clue, oddballs and hitmen, all of whom are destined to win your heart. Or, at the very least, your funny bone. The title story is probably my favorite, simply because it examines a career that is usually shucked aside by storytellers in favor of more glamorous work: The weights-and-measures man. It's Joe Gendreau's job to make sure the gas station attendant isn't overcharging for or skimping on gas; a beating with a tire iron will keep him straight. All in a day's work, ma'am. Like Joe says, "Standards are what make us a society. A community agrees. A gallon is a gallon. A pound is a pound. He who says fifteen ounces is a pound - he must be put down. A pound is a pound, or we go bango." Sigh. Coen's use of dialogue makes me weak in the knees. Oh, to have that firm control of dialect. Other faves in "Gates": "Destiny": A knocked-out-too-often boxer agrees to take pictures of guy's wife in bed with a business associate, and ends up caught in between two gentlemen of less than civil reputation. "Cosa Minapolidan": Among other things, a mob boss wants a fresh stiff. But the guys he's got on the job ain't quite right in the head, if you know what I'm saying. And one of 'em's new on the job. "Hector Berlioz, Private Investigator": Aside from his name, there's nothing out of the ordinary about this private investigator. Coen sets the whole story like it could be an old-fashioned radio drama, and the results are both familiar and fantastic. "A Fever in the Blood": Next to "Eden," this is the best story in the collection. Another p.i. finds himself deaf in one ear psychologically after having the other one bitten off. Brings the "Twilight Zone" to mind, complete with twist at the end. Perfection. Anyone in need of a quick pick-me-up or an enjoyably light read can do worse than Coen. Grab your teddy bear, hunker down under the covers after (or in the middle of) a long day and thank your lucky stars you don't lead these sorry souls' lives.
Rating:
Summary: From Hector Berlioz, p.i., to the weights-and-measures man.
Review: Coen brothers. Just say the words, and most moviegoers can tell you what you're probably in for. Crime. Criminals. Mystery. Shenanigans. The same holds true for "Gates of Eden," a collection of short stories by Ethan Coen, one-half of the brother team (bro is Joel Coen) that created such contemporary classics as "Blood Simple," "Fargo," "O Brother Where Art Thou?" and, most recently, "The Man Who Wasn't There." With the short stories in "Gates," Ethan displays the tendency to irresistible characters that the brothers have put to such acclaimed use in their films. And characters they are. Hapless schmucks, crooks who just don't seem to have a clue, oddballs and hitmen, all of whom are destined to win your heart. Or, at the very least, your funny bone. The title story is probably my favorite, simply because it examines a career that is usually shucked aside by storytellers in favor of more glamorous work: The weights-and-measures man. It's Joe Gendreau's job to make sure the gas station attendant isn't overcharging for or skimping on gas; a beating with a tire iron will keep him straight. All in a day's work, ma'am. Like Joe says, "Standards are what make us a society. A community agrees. A gallon is a gallon. A pound is a pound. He who says fifteen ounces is a pound - he must be put down. A pound is a pound, or we go bango." Sigh. Coen's use of dialogue makes me weak in the knees. Oh, to have that firm control of dialect. Other faves in "Gates": "Destiny": A knocked-out-too-often boxer agrees to take pictures of guy's wife in bed with a business associate, and ends up caught in between two gentlemen of less than civil reputation. "Cosa Minapolidan": Among other things, a mob boss wants a fresh stiff. But the guys he's got on the job ain't quite right in the head, if you know what I'm saying. And one of 'em's new on the job. "Hector Berlioz, Private Investigator": Aside from his name, there's nothing out of the ordinary about this private investigator. Coen sets the whole story like it could be an old-fashioned radio drama, and the results are both familiar and fantastic. "A Fever in the Blood": Next to "Eden," this is the best story in the collection. Another p.i. finds himself deaf in one ear psychologically after having the other one bitten off. Brings the "Twilight Zone" to mind, complete with twist at the end. Perfection. Anyone in need of a quick pick-me-up or an enjoyably light read can do worse than Coen. Grab your teddy bear, hunker down under the covers after (or in the middle of) a long day and thank your lucky stars you don't lead these sorry souls' lives.
Rating:
Summary: The Strange Mind of Coen
Review: Ethan Coen's collection of short stories is a hint to his remarkable movies. The writer of such great films as Raising Arizona, Fargo, and O Brother Where Art Thou? brings his unmistakable sense of humor to literature with his first work of fiction, Gates of Eden. Coen's sense of humor is uniquely intelligent at times, stupid at others, and very often disturbing. From mafia back-stabbing to a decapitated wife and every story in between, Coen makes the reader laugh and simultaneously makes the reader feel uncomfortable for laughing. One often finds himself asking, "Should I really be laughing at this?" It is upon this type of humor that the Coen Brothers built their film career. Coen overcomes the occasional lack of true plot development with intriguing character analysis and captivating dialogue. This book is a very easy read even with the intriguing and interesting lanuage and dialogue. The stories are short enough for a single sitting and long enough to actually say something. I would recommend this book to anyone who has taken even the slightest interest in a Coen Brothers film. But take heed, many stories are not for the weak-stomached conservative. Be prepared for a few shocks and an interesting insight to the American way.
Rating:
Summary: The Strange Mind of Coen
Review: Ethan Coen's collection of short stories is a hint to his remarkable movies. The writer of such great films as Raising Arizona, Fargo, and O Brother Where Art Thou? brings his unmistakable sense of humor to literature with his first work of fiction, Gates of Eden. Coen's sense of humor is uniquely intelligent at times, stupid at others, and very often disturbing. From mafia back-stabbing to a decapitated wife and every story in between, Coen makes the reader laugh and simultaneously makes the reader feel uncomfortable for laughing. One often finds himself asking, "Should I really be laughing at this?" It is upon this type of humor that the Coen Brothers built their film career. Coen overcomes the occasional lack of true plot development with intriguing character analysis and captivating dialogue. This book is a very easy read even with the intriguing and interesting lanuage and dialogue. The stories are short enough for a single sitting and long enough to actually say something. I would recommend this book to anyone who has taken even the slightest interest in a Coen Brothers film. But take heed, many stories are not for the weak-stomached conservative. Be prepared for a few shocks and an interesting insight to the American way.
Rating:
Summary: A Mixed Bag
Review: First of all, if you are not a Coen Brothers fan or if you are not familiar with at least a few of their movies, then this book might be a good way to acquaint yourself with the quirkiness that dominates some of their work. That being said, this collection might also be construed as a subliminal method of boosting their video rentals. Brother Ethan has crafted some decent pieces of fiction that make for a very quick and mostly enjoyable read. Sure, he has a few clunkers, but he also has some fine laugh-out-loud moments that make you wonder just what the hell he must be on that he can think of some of this stuff. I find myself eagerly anticipating the next output from him, whether it be literary or cinematic. Even though you get the idea that Ethan Coen is a big idiot, he's sure a creative idiot.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Bad for a Start
Review: Gates of Eden is a solid start to Ethan Coen's career as a writer. His film scripts and his films are some of the best out there, and it's easy to see his visual style of writing on every page; one almost expects to see "Fade Out" written at the end of some stories. The characters and the stories in this book are very interesting, though their small size sometimes leaves you wanting more. It's very much a storyteller's book, not heavy on the description and told like he was sitting next to you on a long car ride (if you know what I mean). I think this book is fairly enjoyable to read, overall "light" in subject matter and will be an entertaining company for a few weeks. Just don't expect anything out of the ordinary.
Rating:
Summary: Like a splash of cool spring water, sparkling skin and sky.
Review: I've read the book and listened to the audio tape, and highly recommend the audio tape over the book. The outstanding voice talents employed in this work dramatically improve the stories. But even these talents couldn't completely overcome an obnoxious tendency in Ethan Coen's text. Although two or three of his short stories compiled to form "Gates Of Eden" were, mercifully, devoid of grossly overused simile and syrupy prose, the rest suffered. Even in the final story about the Dakotan/Minnesotan who has beheaded his wife the clever story is somewhat spoiled by this tendency. In it the simple rural Nordic/Canadien English (Fargo-esque) speech patterns of the narrator/protagonist transforms into sophisticated flowing, poetic prose during the climax of that story. The character seemed more elegant, more real when he spoke more simply. And the story would have been more powerful if he had kept to the more native sounding speech patterns thru the climax. The detailed descriptions get in the way of some very fun stories. They take away the characters voice. About halfway thru the story about the California Weights & Measures employee, I lost the very engaging and funny visual/auditory image I had of the main character, replaced by the overwhelming, yet beautifully lyrical descriptive prose. Even on the audio tapes, William H. Macy's excellent reading of the story was overwhelmed by the display of artistic writing. I think the book is worth reading, just be prepared to be frustrated when style gets in the way of a good story. The Coen's seem to always get the balance right in their movies (well, maybe Barton Fink go lost in it's style too). But it wasn't right in this compilation of short stories. Dave Carter
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