Reviews for Calamity and Other Stories

The average rating for Calamity and Other Stories based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-04-12 00:00:00 Craig Woods I originally found and read two of these stories online. Not only did I enjoy them, but I also was intrigued by the main character's first name (not a common one) being the same as my daughter's, though the character pronounces it slightly different than we do. So I figured I had to buy this book to read the whole collection, and I'm glad I did. (On another personal note, other coincidences -- the spelling of another name and especially the universities attended by two other characters -- started to freak me out!) I especially liked the luminous first story and one called "Prom Season," which ends up being a comment on a cultural phenomenon. The touches of humor are especially fine, and I liked being able to see the development of the recurring characters through their own eyes and through others'.

Review # 2 was written on 2007-09-19 00:00:00 Chris Burrows One of our library patrons recommend this, and since the author is at Lynchburg College this semester and will be speaking next month, I decided to give it a try. I am not a huge fan of short stories, but I did like this collection. Many of the stories are interconnected and I liked seeing what happened to so-and-so from another story. I particularly liked "Prom Season" where a teacher tells the class that everyone must ask someone to the prom. It was sweet, but not fluffy. "Rehearsal Dinner" had a scene involving extreme hunger, a drive-thru window and a rental car that made me laugh. "Calamity" was suspenseful and thought-provoking. Kalotay has a wonderful sense of humor and there is depth to her stories. I can't wait to meet her in October! I recommend this to Ellen because there are a couple of stories involving weddings :)