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NEW VOLUME OF IDAHO REVIEW FEATURES WORKS BY ACCLAIMED WRITERS The Idaho Review, an annual collection of fiction, poetry, interviews and essays published by the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing at Boise State University, has just published its 2001 issue. Volume III of The Idaho Review offers new work from some of our country’s most acclaimed writers, including a story from Bret Lott, author of “Jewel,” a bestselling novel recently discussed on Oprah’s Book Club. The anthology features an excerpt from Madison Smartt Bell’s just-published novel, “Master of the Crossroads,” the sequel to his 1996 National Book Award finalist, “All Soul's Rising” and a short story from Douglas Unger, whose first novel was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. In an interview in the new volume, award-winning writer Charles Baxter discusses the writing of “The Feast of Love,” a finalist for this year’s National Book Award. Also included is new fiction from Stuart Dybek, Chris Offutt and David Huddle, whose recent novel was a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year and an Esquire Distinguished First Novel of the Year. According to Mitch Wieland, a Boise State English professor and founding editor of the Idaho Review, the short stories in this year’s anthology cover the gamut of human experience — all in the span of 114 pages. “From a hauntingly touching story of the enduring power of brotherly love, to a story of loss and redemption that covers the entire span of a sculptor’s wild career, to a bitingly funny look at a woman’s satisfying payback to her womanizing ex-husband, these are stories that will stay with readers long after the book is put down, stories that will make readers laugh and cry and think,” Wieland said. The volume offers a new story from Percival Everett, a writer currently featured in this year’s edition of The Best American Short Stories, and a story from newcomer Jennifer Haigh, a writer Wieland predicts readers will be hearing a lot about in the near future. A long poem by Lynne Sharon Schwartz, “Fluid Dynamics,” explores chaos theory and late-night cappuccinos, among other things. The Idaho Review has received considerable national attention since its inception in 1999, Wieland noted. Three stories from the first issue — Ann Beattie’s “In Irons,” Richard Bausch’s “The Voices from the Other Room,” and Boise State Director of Creative Writing Robert Olmstead's “The Air Above the Ground “ — were listed in 100 Other Distinguished Short Stories in The Best American Short Stories 1999, edited by Amy Tan. Alan Cheuse, the book commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and Rust Hills, long-time editor of Esquire magazine, have both praised The Idaho Review. Most of the stories and poems from the first two issues have gone on to appear in novels and collections by major New York publishers. “Our hope is to publish work right here in Boise that becomes the literature of our time,” Wieland said. “We feel we’re well on our way.” The Idaho Review is bound in a large 6- by 9-inch trade paperback format, and is printed on high-quality, acid-free paper. The cover art is a photograph taken by local photographer Steve Bly. The Idaho Review is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, The BSU Bookstore, or by calling 1-800-992-8398, Ext.1362. List price is $9.95. Contact:
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