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Crafting a great short story is almost becoming a lost art these days. There's a wealth of talented writers churning out a plentiful supply of incredible novels, but in the short story format the list seems a bit...well, short. Mystery anthologies might be the one exception, as the last few years have seen a surfeit of authors bringing their collective talents together under one book cover. But even those have been, at times, a mix of brilliant and ho-hum. The more mediocre storylines read as if they were outlines for novels that never quite came together: a chapter here, a paragraph there, supporting characters that are nearly a footnote, and a little super glue.
This has never been the case with Jeffrey Archer's short story compilations. Archer established himself long ago as a master of this format, with four superb collections to his credit and now a fifth, TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT. The ease with which he spins a tale is reminiscent of Bradbury, Hitchcock, and Serling. Any one of them could pack more irony, suspense, and pure entertainment into 20 or 30 pages than other authors can manage in 300. Archer accomplishes that same feat, and with such a remarkable variety in the selections that you keep wishing there were twice as many.
From "Death Speaks," which barely stretches to a half page (more of a miniature folk tale), to "The Endgame," which is a lengthier story of an elderly gentleman that vibrates with both humor and sorrow, TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT is a marvelous edition. Readers will love the twists to each plot line, sometimes anticipated but often extraordinary. You can't help but laugh at the deceitful wife who manages to finesse her way so expertly out of a sticky situation in "The Letter." And there's the deliciously appropriate ending to "Chalk and Cheese" about a spoiled young man who wastes away his life while shamelessly sponging from his loving family. "Love at First Sight" is a touching tribute to two of the author's friends, and "Something For Nothing" carries an obvious lesson.
In "The Reclining Woman" Archer offers up an intriguing anecdote in art history that remains veiled in mystery to this day. But even such a factual narrative isn't lacking in touches of Archer's dry wit and clever characterization:
"'You may wonder why this sculpture is numbered "13",' said the curator, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his face...'Henry Moore,' the curator continued, in a voice that made it clear he believed he was addressing an ignorant bunch of tourists who might muddle up Cubism with sugar lumps, and who obviously had nothing better to do on a bank holiday Monday than visit a National Trust house, 'would normally produce his works in editions of twelve. To be fair to the great man, he died before approval was given for the only casting of a thirteenth example of one of his masterpieces.'"
Archer's skill in capturing those curious idiosyncrasies that make even ordinary people so interesting coupled with his endless capacity for imaginative situations are the reasons behind his enormous popularity as a short story writer. With his continued success as one of the world's preeminent storytellers, readers can remain confident that Jeffrey Archer will be regaling us with his fascinating tales for a long time to come.
--- Reviewed by Ann Bruns
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