This is a fascinating collection of short stories and I thought it was interesting to see what can get a young author published. This collection, however, is by no means normal. Budnitz is definitely creative in her writing, and as I began the book (reading straight through) I found her stories very original and fascinating. By the end, though, I was left with this disturbing feeling that I just couldn't quite place... but perhaps that was her goal. Either way, this book is definitely worth a look, but not worth buying if you haven't already caught a glimpse of her style and know that you like it. As an aspiring writer I'm definitely glad that I own this book, as it shows a unique dimension of non-reality superimposed over our common world. From that standpoint it's very interesting to see how she pulls off these stretches. However, if I were to simply read these stories without taking an interest in her writing style, I'm not sure if I would have made it through the whole book. There definitely are a few remarkable and beautiful stories, such as "Flight" and "Directions", but some of the others just left me feeling ill.

I saw Judy Budnitz do a reading at the Breadloaf writing conference this summer, (she read 'Skin Care' from Flying Leap) and I was pretty knocked out. Then I bought the book when I got back, and I'm just stunned. 'Yellville' is as amazing a story as I could imagine. (if I only could have imagined it) These stories are unlike almost anything else I've read by a contemporary writer - their startling invention, the sly depth of their wisdom, the humor and playfulness, the dead on dissection of the diseased body of society - yet for the caustic and sometimes grim wit, there's plenty of room for redemption - they're grounded in a firm sense of humanity. And man oh man, I can't remember laughing so much reading a book, and laughing so well.

I am an avid reader of short fiction, and I have to say this collection by this young writer is the finest I've read in the past several years. It is at once subtle and crazy, at once humorous and sobering, highly imaginative, and great fun to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates youthful, contemporary, literate literature.

I was somewhat disappointed in it, after the stellar heights Flying Leap reached. The magical fairy tale elements were fun and sometimes riveting, especially in the beginning, but the overall telling, the voices employed - for me grew curiously flat over the length of the novel, and seemed somewhat indistinguisable from one another. That weakness in voice was the main drawback - the deadpan delivery often comes up short on reflection and internalization, and finally rendered the story predictable, despite clever plot twists. Reading the stories of Flying Leap, I was constantly startled and amazed by the richness of invention, and here, I was engaged and surprised, but only sporadically, and never to the degree that the short stories acheived. I still enjoyed the book, I just wasn't transported.

This book follows 4 women growing up in a poverty stricked environnment. Told with amazing words. Definetely a good read.

I absolutely adored this novel. I purchased the book just before going to a book signing of hers in Chicago. I hadn't started reading the book yet, nor had I read her short stories. Now I wish I had because I would have had so much to tell her! The story of Ilana, Sashie, Mara and Nomie made me cry, smile, laugh out loud and scream! It's a magical tale--Budnitz has a tremendous amount of imagination and creativity. Ilana and Shmuel's love story truly gripped me. It wasn't mushy either. There was definitely some bitterness involved. This novel is not your typical "several generations of females" story. It's twisted, bizarre and mysterious. Congratulations on a wonderful novel debut, and I look forward to more of your writing, Judy!