A Couple of Kooks and Other Stories About Love - Hardcover

Rylant, Cynthia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0531059006 ISBN 13: 9780531059005

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1990

Synopsis

A collection of eight short stories in which a variety of special characters experience the transfiguring power of love.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Eight finely crafted stories explore various aspects of love from a variety of perspectives. From the two 16-year-olds, wise beyond their years, who are preparing for separation from their as yet unborn child in the title story, to the optimistic musings of an old man at his grandaughter's wedding, readers are treated to unique yet universal observations of people in love. The stories are filled with both humor and heartbreak, but the sensibility of Rylant's voice and her distinctly drawn characters evoke genuine sentiment while avoiding sentimentality. Original in plot and rich in imagery, the stories read smoothly, offering a broad range of experience and viewpoint. Although half of the stories feature adolescent characters, the themes may be of more interest to adults than to young readers. However, those who delve into the book will be well rewarded. --Starr LaTronica, North Berkeley Library, CA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

As poignant and vibrant as Rylant's previous works ( A Blue-Eyed Daisy ; A Fine White Dust ; Every Living Thing ), this collection of short stories examines the nature of love and its effects on eight people's lives. Four of the selections deal with adolescent relationships: while "Checkouts" traces a brief yet intense infatuation, "A Couple of Kooks" reveals a more intimate bond between two troubled teens. With genuine understanding, Rylant conveys the excitement, idealism, innocence and confusion associated with young love. No less skillful are her portrayals of the rekindled passions of adults--stories about a 75-year-old grandfather, a down-and-out truck driver and an aging divorcee are profound as well as moving. Rylant's spare, compassionate prose captures the essence of her characters and depicts the many dimensions of romance. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orchard Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0531059006
• ISBN 13: 9780531059005
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 104