This short story collection by Dave Eggers was hit or miss for me.  Never a traditionalist, Eggers makes sure that each and every one of his stories is original and unusual in some facet or another.  At times, this method works brilliantly; however, sometimes it also gets irksome.

Don’t mistake me, I’m all for experimental writing.  It’s just that story after story of it got old.  I don’t blame the author for this.  I was largely unfamiliar with Eggers’ work and wanted to give him a try.  In my mind, he simply isn’t a writer to curl up with in order to relax, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

There were a few stories in this collection that I truly enjoyed and found masterful.  “Up the Mountain Coming Down Slowly” was one such story.  Practically a novella, this story makes up the bulk of the collection and the price of the entire book is worth this one story alone.

All in all, if you’re looking for a page-turner to get lost in, this isn’t for you.  But, if you’re looking to study the form and substance of a work of original literature, Eggers will please.