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Past Perfect, Present Tense
Past Perfect, Present Tense
by Richard Peck
Though Richard Peck is best known as a novelist, he has been writing short stories—rousing, provocative, and thoroughly entertaining—throughout his career. “Priscilla and the Wimps,” his first, is perhaps the most-read children’s short story of all time. Others have inspired his award-winning novels: A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder began with a tale called “Shotgun Cheatham’s Last Night Above Ground”; and “The Electric Summer” was the jumping point for Fair Weather.
Compiled for the first time, here are all of Richard Peck’s stories: eleven previously published tales and two brand-new ones. He has also written engaging notes about the stories, an informative introduction about the genre, and tips on how to write short stories, including “Five Helpful Hints” that will be a valuable aid to aspiring authors.
Vibrant and varied—from comic to supernatural, from historical to modern-day romantic—there’s something for everyone in the collected stories of Richard Peck.
Compiled for the first time, here are all of Richard Peck’s stories: eleven previously published tales and two brand-new ones. He has also written engaging notes about the stories, an informative introduction about the genre, and tips on how to write short stories, including “Five Helpful Hints” that will be a valuable aid to aspiring authors.
Vibrant and varied—from comic to supernatural, from historical to modern-day romantic—there’s something for everyone in the collected stories of Richard Peck.
Though Richard Peck is best known as a novelist, he has been writing short stories—rousing, provocative, and thoroughly entertaining—throughout his career. “Priscilla and the Wimps,” his first, is perhaps the most-read children’s short story of all time. Others have inspired his award-winning novels: A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder began with a tale called “Shotgun Cheatham’s Last Night Above Ground”; and “The Electric Summer” was the jumping point for Fair Weather.
Compiled for the first time, here are all of Richard Peck’s stories: eleven previously published tales and two brand-new ones. He has also written engaging notes about the stories, an informative introduction about the genre, and tips on how to write short stories, including “Five Helpful Hints” that will be a valuable aid to aspiring authors.
Vibrant and varied—from comic to supernatural, from historical to modern-day romantic—there’s something for everyone in the collected stories of Richard Peck.
Compiled for the first time, here are all of Richard Peck’s stories: eleven previously published tales and two brand-new ones. He has also written engaging notes about the stories, an informative introduction about the genre, and tips on how to write short stories, including “Five Helpful Hints” that will be a valuable aid to aspiring authors.
Vibrant and varied—from comic to supernatural, from historical to modern-day romantic—there’s something for everyone in the collected stories of Richard Peck.
Reviews-
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Two new and 11 previously published short stories are combined with advice on writing from the author. Peck reads the literary advice himself, and, while he is far from a professional narrator, there is quite a bit of charm to hearing him talk about the fine art of writing fiction. The stories run the gamut from historical to gothic to realistic. Before each grouping, Peck tells listeners how he came to write the stories, and the inside view is fascinating. Lara Schwartzberg and Paul Boehmer are less successful; their narration is more serviceable than sparkling, with Schwartzberg's attempt at a British accent in the creepy "Waiting for Sebastian" a particular disappointment. Still, Peck's dry wit and enormous skill rise above most of the narration problems. This will certainly find a secure niche in writing classes. S.G. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
