The Hotel Eden by Ron Carlson (1997, Hardcover)

"The Hotel Eden" was my first reading by Ron Carlson and I found him only due strictly to the fact that I read a rave review for his new book, "The Signal" and wound up getting this one instead.

I love short stories and I have read several in the last few months, this book is right at the top as far as pure originality and stories that put you through the range of emotions. Ron Carlson could probably write about anything and make it so magical and interesting you couldn't put it down.

The book has twelve stories, all of which really, really impressed me. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Mr. Carlson's short stories soon.

this outstanding collection includes:

Keith - a great story about unexpected, unusual friendship
(amazing story that has now been made into a movie)

The Prisoner of Bluestone - a man, a gas station and his ex wife (one of my favorites in the book, hard to describe without giving anything away)

Oxygen - a college student who takes a summer job as an oxygen delivery man, learns alot more about himself and the world

Dr. Slime - a man teamed up w/ his brothers actress girlfriend, are on a mission to find out where he's getting the money he's bringing home, why he's so bruised up and why their are so many pills over the house (one of those stories that doesn't quite make sense, then at a certain point, gives you that wonderful ah ha moment)

A Note On The Type - a criminal on the run, learns about respect in an unusual way

The Chromium Hook - a spooky, yet very well crafted tale told by several different characters

The House Goes Up - a woman has an all too flawless plan to make things go her way, everytime w/ men

What We Wanted To Do - they have a plan and its a good plan, but so far its just not working

The Hotel Eden - a young couple in London meet a new friend, who has all the wildest stories, all the right answers and knows all the right people/places, but who is he really

Zanduce At Second - a professional baseball player has killed eleven people now, by way of foul ball

Nightcap - a man has a fling, an unusual fling

Down The Green River - a man and an old friend and her son take a journey down the river in a raft, only to face a hole in the raft and nudists

I highly recommend this collection to anyone that likes short stories and great writing!