Books: The Syntax of Surprise

THE LITTLE DISTURBANCES OF MAN by Grace Paley. 189 pages. Viking. $4.50.

In this fast and fickle culture, British Critic Cyril Connolly once declared, it is ambition enough for any author to set out to write a book that will last ten years. "And of how many books," he asked, "is that true today?" One notable example is this artful, bracing group of stories, Grace Paley's first and, so far, only book. Little noticed when it was published in 1959, it has since won enough readers and impressed enough critics to justify a new edition...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!