Author: Cliff

I am the author of three novels--THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE, OLIVER'S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY--and three story collections--IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES, and WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW, winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction. I am also the co-founder and former editor of Prime Number Magazine and the editor of the award-winning anthology series EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET.
June 17, 2013

2013 Reading: Flashes of War by Katey Schultz

Flashes of War by Katey Schultz is a surprisingly good book. I say this even though the author is a friend (we met a couple…
June 17, 2013

The New Yorker: “Stars” by Thomas McGuane

June 24, 2013: “Stars” by Thomas McGuane We learn from the Q&A with Thomas McGuane that this is NOT an excerpt from a novel,…
June 15, 2013

Theater: “Becky Shaw” by Gina Gionfriddo

      My theater binge continues. For tonight’s show, I trekked up to Bethesda–not exactly a hardship, since my hotel is close to…
June 14, 2013

Theater: “Stupid Fucking Bird” by Aaron Posner

I seem to have developed a renewed interest in the theater. Years ago, in graduate school, I read a lot of drama, although I…
June 12, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Scenes of the Crime” by Cormac McCarthy

“Scenes of the Crime” by Cormac McCarthy Excerpted and adapted from the screenplay for “The Counselor,” a Ridley Scott film coming out later this…
June 11, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Happy Trails” by Sherman Alexie

“Happy Trails” by Sherman Alexie This might be my favorite piece in the issue. The story begins: “Forty-one years ago, my uncle Hector said…
June 10, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Brotherly Love” by Jhumpa Lahiri

“Brotherly Love” by Jhumpa Lahiri We learn from the Q&A with Jhumpa Lahiri that “Brotherly Love” is an excerpt from Lahiri’s new novel, forthcoming…
June 10, 2013

Holding Forth: Story Cycles and Novels in Stories

I recently had business in North Carolina and was invited to participate in a gathering at the home of Marjorie Hudson, author of the…
June 10, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Slide to Unlock” by Ed Park

“Slide to Unlock” by Ed Park Clever. We don’t know why until the end of the story, but the narrator (in second person) is…
June 9, 2013

The New Yorker Summer Fiction Issue: “Rough Deeds” by Annie Proulx

“Rough Deeds” by Annie Proulx In New France (Canada) in the mid 18th Century, Duquet does business with an Englishman to expand his trade….