The Pushcart Prize XXXVII: Best of the Small Presses

This latest edition of the annual compilation of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction from small and independent presses contains 65 pieces, plus a fine introduction by Pushcart Press's founder and editor, Henderson. As always, the pieces selected are of uniform high quality, while appealing to a variety of different tastes. For example, this reviewer especially liked those that dealt with religious themes: Erin McGraw's "Punchline" is a story about a dedicated priest whose life and career become derailed after a series of unfortunate incidents; Anthony Wallace's "The Old Priest" details the complex relationship between the title character and a would-be writer. In nonfiction, Ann Patchett's beautiful and moving "The Mercies" is a tribute to a nun, her teacher and friend Sister Nena; while Shozan Jack Haubner's memoir, "A Zen Zealot Comes Home," provides a family portrait of a Zen Buddhist monk and his conflicts with his parents.