Among the Missing Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I cannot explain how much I love this book. The stories in here make me feel less afraid to be alive. Andrew Porter's "The Theory of Light and Matter" is the only other collection that makes me feel this way. These books are connected for me. They are books that I read and feel such an awful and terrific sadness. Maybe it is just me remembering childhood, its weird complexities and layers of illusion. Yo La Tengo does it to me, too. Andrew Porter, Dan Chaon, Yo La Tengo, and that good kind of sadness. "

" this book is heartbreakingly amazing. "

" Well-written series of short stories, but difficult to embrace. Filled with sadness, lives and families falling or fallen apart. "

" lots of well written dysfunction "

" This is a very strong collection of short stories. I've never read Chaon before, but intend to go back and read all of his short story collections. I would put him on par with Lorrie Moore as one of my favorite short story writers. "

" This author is one of, if not my favorite author. I love the way he spins a mystery, and even though it could be stated that his topics are somewhat depressing, I believe it takes great talent to create such a mood. I heartily recommend any Dan Chaon novel or book of short stories for a different view of life. "

" I read this since Chaon is an instructor at my alma mater and you couldn't go anywhere without hearing mention of this book or of Chaon at the time. Anyway, I remember it being a good collection of stories with one particular image about lightning that has stuck with me to this day. "

" Incredibly funny. There was an English teacher at my school who hat a sort of nasal, high-pitched voice, and he read excerpts of this book in a quick, deadpan stacatto. We were laughing so hard. "

" These stories are excellent--well written and strange--in a good way. "

" I am not not not a short story lover, but these are incredible! "

" The single most underrated author of our generation. Dan Chaon's writing is hauntingly beautiful. His stories have a staying power in the memory; bittersweet and wonderful reading. "

" Marvelously written, some of the most amazing short stories I've ever read, but I don't truly "recommend" it, because I'm in a mood right now of thinking all short stories are too sad/depressing/weird. "

" These stories are really, really good. Chaon's voice is casual and funny, but his subject matter is deeply strange, and a little disturbing. The stories stick with you for a long time after you read them, get in your head like weird little songs. "

" 4.5 stars. These stories really resonated with me, emotionally. "

" Great collection of very American stories. Highly recommend. "

" Beautiful, straightforward writing...but so sad. So very sad!!! "

" I love this book. I love all the gimmicks. Especially Safety Man. What a story. I also love the story about the man in the house. These stories are his best stories. Only The Bees competes with them. I give this book as gifts at Christmas and birthdays. "

" Excellent. Something of an heir to Raymond Carver. The lonely, yearning lives of middle Americans. "

" Stories: not easy to do well, but Chaon succeeds. "

" Chaon is a champion writer of short stories. I love the way he blends domestic existentialism with moments of the sublime. "

" I am just not a short story person. "

" I just reread Among the Missing while on vacation. There are some authors/books that deserve to be read more than once. Dan Chaon is definitley one of my favorite storytellers. "

" it was ok... a little creepy "

" Interesting little short stories. "

" Dan Chaon is a great writer, but too many of the stories revolved around the same basic themes: alcoholism, growing-up, failed marriages, coming to terms with your parents as an adult. To me, it became repetitive. "

" First time reading a short story collection and loved it! Not one bad egg in the bunch....am really loving this author. "

" "Safety Man" is one of the best stories in this collection -- it has a fascinating structure and weird character psychology. "

" This five star rating refers to the story Big Me. His other stories are pretty good, but Big Me is by for the most fabulous! "

" Did not like it, I quit reading after two chapters. "

" Ever unscrutable, Chaon's short stories are beautifully written but full of surprises. "

" I loved this book. The stories were very interesting. "

" Brillian collection of dark, painful stories for the most part. Great writer. "

" Chaon has become one of my favorite new writers. "

" A book like this reinforces a love of short stories and you wish others would include short fiction along with their list of novels to read "