The Collected Stories of Frank O'Connor is, from its name, a collection of short stories written by the Irish author Frank O'Connor. It was first published on 1981. Today, O'Connor is best known for his memoirs and short stories.
This book is a collection of 67 short stories. The most famous stories are "The Bridal Night", "My Oedipus Complex", and "Guests of the Nation". The stories contain a mix of tragedy, fun, Irish tradition, and nostalgia. O'Connor's style of writing is unique, for he is brilliantly able to include calm and distressing moments at the same short story in an easy flow.
O'Connor's work received many positive reviews from contemporary readers. For one, it was rated 4 out of 5 on Goodreads. One of the readers wrote: "O’Connor’s short stories speak to the reader because while they are in Ireland, they are also everywhere." Another reader wrote: "His stories will make you laugh ("First Confession"), weep ("Guests of the Nation", one of the most powerful anti-war stories I've ever read), or just lose yourself in the humanity of his characters." Numerous news articles and websites wrote book reviews foe this book. Overall, this collection proves that O'Connor is a mastermind and a genius in his field, one who ranks alongside James Joyce as a master of modern prose.
