I do not like short stories and this collection did not change my opinion. While the writing was, at times, nicely wrought, I just couldn't get into it. I read this to meet the requirement of a book bingo, otherwise I stay away from short stories. ( )

Good short stories, but from a long time ago. A little dated maybe, but good writing of course. ( )

I read one of Moore’s short stories in college, and it’s been in my mind ever since. I periodically reread it, perhaps twice a year, but until the past few days I haven’t read any of her other work. I checked this collection out from the library and nearly devoured it. The only story I truly dislike is the collection’s namesake story -“Like Life.” The others are wonderful. Some of the lines she writes are just so perfect. That sounds trite but I don’t know how else to describe them. “She felt like someone of whom she was fond, an old and future friend of herself, still unspent and up ahead somewhere, light like a light that moved.” ( )

Not Moore's best, but 80% strong and true. ( )

Like Life by Lorrie Moore is a volume of short stories, each one about ordinary people living quiet lives of desperation. The characters are often trying to disguise their fears and weaknesses with plenty of sarcasm or poignancy. There are eight stories, all quite different, yet all paint pictures of the empty lives of unhappy, neurotic and at times quite bitter people.

I can’t say that I enjoyed reading these stories, yet I did find them all memorable which speaks to the quality of the writing. At times these bleak stories hit close to home with recognizable emotions and feelings as she details life’s trite experiences. Stories about trying to disguise an empty life, or attempting to stay true to one’s muse are delivered in a sharp, incisive and witty manner that emphasizes rather than disguises the characters’ disorganized lives.

Complicated, cruel and cynical, the stories in Like Life speak to all of our insecurities and make the reading of it a very personal experience. ( )