The Pushcart Prize XXIII: Best of the Small Presses, 1999 Edition
by Bill Henderson (Introduction)

Amazon.com
The Pushcart Prize looms large in the world of small press. For 23 years, this prize anthology has honored the best fiction, essays, and poetry found outside the commercial mainstream--which is to say, some of the most intriguing and adventurous work published today. "In the small press universe you can actually attempt to tell the truth in an essay, or dream a dream in a poem or story," Bill Henderson writes in his introduction. Why? "No money here at all. And that's freedom." Money or no, the 1998 winners don't disappoint. The 68 selections reprinted here run the gamut from the lush surfaces of Pattiann Rogers's nature poetry to Stephen Dixon's jittery stream-of-consciousness prose. A moving essay by Andre Dubus considers the Hemingway story "In Another Country" and how his reading of it has changed over the years, while Joyce Carol Oates weighs in with "Faithless," a family fiction haunted by past crimes and present lies. The anthology is dedicated to the late poet William Matthews, whose "Grandmother, Dead at 99 Years and 10 Months" seems to allude eerily to his own death: "I raised a glass / to her truant kidney / and to oblivion." Poets like Matthews thrive most in the world of small press, where a small but dedicated readership gives them the space to be their own cantankerous and unexpected selves. Let us raise a glass to William Matthews, and then to the editors of the Pushcart Prize as well, for allowing us to be, occasionally, breathtakingly, surprised.

Dr. Holleman Booksellers

contact

Amazon.com Hot 100
The 100 titles Amazon.com customers couldn't live without in the last 24 hours. Updated hourly.

Amazon.com Hot 100
Save up to 30% on the 100 bestselling music CD's at Amazon.com. Updated hourly.

Music Essentials

Our recommendations for the best CD's from the best artists.
Whether you're thinking of exploring an unfamiliar style or already building a focused collection, our Essentials pages can streamline your musical search. From alternative music to zydeco, bebop to hip-hop, the Essentials will lead you to the hundreds of artists and thousands of recordings that matter.

Amazon.com is pleased to have Dr. Holleman Booksellers in the family of Amazon.com associates. We've agreed to ship products and provide customer service for orders we receive through special links on Dr. Holleman Booksellers. Amazon.com associates list selected books and music in an editorial context that helps you make the right choice. We encourage you to shop at Dr. Holleman Booksellers often to see what new items they've selected for you. Thank you for shopping with an amazon.com associate. Sincerely, Jeff Bezos, President Amazon.com