The 23rd

I read the 23^rd issue of McSweeney's from cover to cover in one day. I read most of the cover -- which is filled with short short stories by Dave Eggers -- as well. This issue is just under 200 pages and (compared to some other issues) simple. I like the complicated issues: the box of books, the pile of mail, etc. etc. But it's the simple hardcover or paperback issues that I really dig into. The ten stories in issue 23 are especially good, every single one of them. At this point it would probably make sense to give very brief summaries of a few of my favorites -- but that would ruin the experience, I think. Not knowing what you're in for gives McSweeney's -- as well as other journals and anthologies -- their magic. I can describe what each of the stories have in common and what makes them a good fit -- in addition to their general excellence -- but bear with me as I'm having a hard time putting it into words (which, I admit, is a phrase I use way too often and which suggests perhaps I'm not the type of person who should be trying to put these things into words, especially on a blog). Anyways, here goes: most of the stories feature ordinary experiences which are invaded by the unreal or bizarre -- except for a few which are bizarre from beginning to end. But maybe that's a description of most short stories. "Black Hoodie," the Roddy Doyle story in the issue, teeters on the brink of cheesiness but the sliver of unreality somehow makes it work and suggests (to me; if I'm way off then I'm insulting the story) that it was Doyle's intention. Anyways, it's twenty bucks and it's great: read it. Or wait for McSweeney's to put it on sale in six months and then read it.