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Summary: The anti-heroic in the age and place of the hero...
Review: The stories in "Pastoralia" center on eccentricly flawed characters teetering on the brink of making a decision. Much of Saunders' writing consists of the internal monologues of its protagonists. Their humanity, both weaknesses and strengths of character, is directly revealed as they struggle to determine their course of action. Some of the decisions they must contend with are ones that many in society make unconsciously or with very little honest reflection. Should I date this woman whose head is out of all proportion to the rest of her body? Should I rat out my attitudinally challenged co-worker who I have worked beside for years? Should I kick my sister out of the house?Saunders delivers the goods in a self-effacing and homely manner. His prose is not flowery and often exposes the ugly motives behind actions that may seem noble from the vantage point of a dispassioned observer. He builds the tension through the thoughts of the characters, and his pacing is more concerned with the flowering of fleeting thoughts rather than the juggernaut of actions and events. If you have an affinity for the underdog, a passion for the barely observed, and a patience for moral ambiguity- you just may enjoy this book. I did.
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Summary: A melancholy look at modern life
Review: There are some very imaginative and witty scenarios played out in the six stories contained within. However, I didn't find them particularly as humorous as I did bleek and disturbing. For instance, there's the man and woman in the title story that play cavepeople to an audience of no one but have to keep up the facade in order to keep a job. Then there's the man who visits a motivational speaker and as he finally musters up the courage to make a drastic change in his life, his dreams come crashing down as he's faced with his reality. The book probably isn't intended to be this dark, but that's the underlying feeling I got from it. I still give Saunders 4 stars for his quirky and off-the-wall writing style. Interpretation is everything with this book.
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Summary: Incredible book from a talented writer
Review: This book is one of the best short story collections I have read. Saunders has such a bizarre and funny take on life - he is able to make the sad and bleak funny, without making fun of the characters. Sea Oak was my favorite story in this collection. The idea of a decomposing corpse ordering her family around is hilarious, and it is so well written that what could have been merely strange or silly was instead perfect. This book is a must buy. I am looking forward to reading his earlier collection. Enjoy!
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Summary: Saunders is a genius
Review: This is one of the best collections I've read in years--perhaps the best since Civilwarland. Saunders is an entirely unique voice--there really is no one else like him, and he manages to harness such disparate effects that it kind of leaves you breathless when finished. You're stunned, sad, and above all laughing.
Rating: 
Summary: A big 00
Review: This is the worst book I have ever had the misfortune of buying. The stories are juvenile, stupid, shallow, idiotic, immature, repetitive (especially in the stupid phrases incessantly repeated in the lead story Pastoralia) and poorly written, unless the author is 12 years old or younger. To me, the book has no redeeming value of any kind. I am going to Email the Chicago Tribune and complain about the critic who recommended this book. Amazon should come up with some kind of rating system that would warn unsuspecting buyere about this kind of book. Something like: 1. Highly recommended, 2. Recommended 3. Recommended for those with half a brain or less 4. Recommended for burial (at least six feet under) so it will never again see the light of day.
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Summary: Rolling on the floor laughing my...
Review: This man is genuinely funny and breaks your heart at the same time. Impeccably crafted prose. Puts all the MFA my-childhood-was-unhappy-and-now-my-thesis-advisor-doesn't-understand-me whiners to shame. Buy, read, laugh, enjoy.
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Summary: Amazing describes Saunders
Review: Very rarely have I read a book that when finished I am at loss for words. I am not going to make this a review filled with metaphorical sentences or big huge words...To tell you the truth I never knew this book existed until i signed up for the living writers class at my school, syracuse university...and here I am, telling the world that I fell in love with a book that was required reading at school! Pastoralia touched every part of my heart as if i was there with the characters...it is hysterical and serious....satire and truth...I reccomend it to anyone that is able to read, or be read too. They will come out with a new look upon life and human nature. Reciently i had the opportunity to listen to Saunders himself read "sea oak" i laughed more the time he read it then i did the 5 times i read it myself. Lindsey Freshman Syracuse University.
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