An anthology of short stories in defence of reading by some of the greatest practioners of the genre, including Isaac Babel, Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, Alice Munro, Lori Moore and H.H. Munro (Saki); In The Stacks, by America's leading librarian, is a volume of most unusual stories about that most evocative place: the library. Libraries are created worlds containing row upon row of shelves holding miles and miles of books. For many writers and bookworms the local public library was the portal the imagination first stepped across. In one volume, the cream of twentieth century short fiction - from Borges's 'The Library of Babel' to John Cheever's 'Trouble of Marcie Flint' to Lorrie Moore's 'Community Life' - about libraries and librarians, and the terrors and pleasures contained in books. Lunacy, love, obsession and the joy of reading are all gathered together in a volume most would agree is long overdue.

Lianeni

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Jox

As with all anthologies, you will find some really good stuff in here and in my opinion, some fairly poor. Overall I would have to say give it a look though. How can you pass up an edition with Mr. Ed the talking horse reading Edgar Wallace books from his local library?

Elildelm

The stories did not capture my attention. The title is enticing. Maybe I was expecting something else. I was disappointed.

Lli

How about a collection of short stories that is bound to make you shelf conscious? An anthology that will make you willing to work between covers? A set that makes you read the write stuff?

In "In the Stacks: Short Stories About Libraries and Librarians," the editors of this collection

have made esoteric collections an art! If you thought that libraries were stuffy and uninteresting, wait until you turn the pages of these stories.

Such library luminaries as Jorge Luis Borges, Ray Bradbury, John Cheever, and Alice Munro grace these pages, delicately at times and at others with the sound and fury of a Faulkner. Yes, library sterotypes are in evidence, but don't be misled. All the stories are written by 20th century authors and explore more sides of the setting than one could imagine-all proving that a library is more than just a collection of books!

My favorite is Borges's "The Library of Babel" but John Cheever's "Trouble of Marcie Flint" is a close second. ([email protected])

Legionstatic

This compilation of short stories about libraries and/or librarians presents a mixed bag of the good, bad, and the ugly. A collection of stories about the profession is certainly past due. I agree with editorial comments that some of the stories penned by Bradbury, Borges, Boucher, and Brooks are true gems. The Koger story presented the entrapment of a person in a no advancement position; the Calvino and the LeGuin stories reminded me of good ol book burnin days; the Dabrowska story showed the advancement of ineptitude; the Kaufmann story reminded me of a Harlequin novel. I guess a collection of short stories cannot please everybody.

Dolid

An excellent and varied collection of short stories with the central theme of libraries. Styles range from `serious' literature to entertaining story telling. Many authors use the library as a symbol for civilization and enlightenment which I find hopeful and thought provoking. Makes for enjoyable reading while reflecting on libraries which are not only repositories of knowledge, but very interesting places with their own unique character.