NEW STORIES FROM THE SOUTH The Year's Best, 2006

In the 21st edition of the collected best short stories from Southern writers, novelist Allan Gurganus proves himself a skilled editor. Matching the excellent writing in this anthology is the professionalism of the cast of narrators. The traditional gothic horror and country comedy are well represented, and this year there is even more variety, with historical fiction mixing well with contemporary stories. Take special note of Cary Holladay's "The Burning," featuring the horrifying fate of a Virginia slave burned at the stake after murdering her master, and Tony Earley's hilarious "Yard Art," which focuses on a country music star's wife and her plumber, who are in search of a lost piece of sculpture. R.O. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]