The Watch

by Rick Bass

Book Overview

Set in the South and West, they pursue themes of friendship, loyalty, and freedom, of escape, where valiant holdouts refuse to grow up, or to grow old.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039331135X
• ISBN13: 9780393311358
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Amazingly fresh and timeless stories

The stories in The Watch are both youthful and wise. Rick Bass is a master of the short story form and this collection is a wonderful representation of his earlier works of fiction. Highly recommended for someone looking to get into contemporary literary fiction. Back in '92, the book captured me.

casts a spell

One of my favorite short story collections. The language is beautiful. The characters, settings, and actions are all so persuasive, and complement each other so well. Finally, the stories are MOVING--not just witty or clever or inventive. Bass' stories have it all!

In praise of The Watch

The first story I ever read by Mr. Bass was "Fires", published in "The Quarterly", a now-defunct publication. Since then I've bought every published work he has put out. "The Watch" is a superb example of Mr. Bass' haunting and near-mythical prose about the lives of everyday people. His characters are larger than life and imbued with a strength of personality. "In Ruth's Country" is a beautiful, poignant story of modern-day star-crossed lovers. "Choteau" is a fine example of Bass' ability to create heroic figures out of ordinary people. "Mexico" grips one with such a strong sense of place that you can imagine yourself in any of the character's shoes. "Juggernaut" allowed me to return home to a simpler place and time that I'd almost forgotten over the years. Every story in this collection is as fine as any writer today is producing. Each character is true, and the prose is full of desperation and longing. If you liked this book, you will probably appreciate short story collections by Richard Ford ("Rock Springs" and "Wildlife") and "Borrowed Hearts" by Rick DeMarinis.

Re: the watch

i came to rick bass through the many stories he's had anthologized in the best american series, and each of those are more than memorable. the watch, his first collection, is simply amazing. lots of emotion and depth, and a structure that is often seeming-to-be loose, until it reaches a point where everything comes together. highly recommended.

One of the best books I've read in a very long time.

There is something very unusual and interesting going on in these short stories. On the surface the stories are accessible, entertaining, amusing, and even (forgive me for using the word) poignant. Underneath something is going on that I've never encountered before, that I can't quite get my arms around, and that reminds me of Faulkner. I've read some of these stories five or six times and I've bought the book for numerous friends. "In Ruth's Country" is particularly good.