The World's Shortest Stories of Love and Death

If you're drawn to the title of this volume--filled with stories only 55 words long, about half the length of this review--you won't be disappointed. Although there are a few clinkers, most of the concise fiction is surprisingly effective, if heavy on twists reminiscent of O. Henry. One story even spoofs "The Gift of the Magi." Sprinkled throughout are stories by Charles Schulz, Norman Lear and other notables, but don't try fast-forwarding for them or you'll miss a lot. Shifting between three narrators helps create breaks between the fast tales, and each does well in establishing characters quickly. Advice on writing "55-fiction" is included at the end. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine