Can you recommend some best Lorrie Moore stories for a beginner to start with?

Sure. 'Agnes of Iowa' is a great story. It presents a vivid picture of a young woman's life in Iowa with all its mundanity and small - town feel, while also exploring deeper themes of identity. 'Debarking' is also quite good. It tells the story of a middle - aged man and his experiences with love and disappointment, showing Moore's versatility in writing from different perspectives.

I would recommend 'You're Ugly, Too'. It's a story full of her signature humor and incisive observations about human nature. Also, 'Debarking' is a great piece that delves into the life of a middle - aged man and his various relationships. And 'The Nun of That' is also among her best, with its exploration of identity and self - discovery within the context of a somewhat unusual setting.

In my opinion, 'Real Estate' is among her best. This story looks at the idea of home, aging, and family relationships. Moore's writing in this story is sharp and observant, as she weaves together different plotlines and emotions to create a story that is both relatable and thought - provoking.

A great beginner - friendly short story by Lorrie Moore is 'You're Ugly, Too'. It has a clear narrative arc and the themes are easy to grasp, such as the idea of self - image and how we interact with others. The story is engaging from start to finish and doesn't require a lot of prior knowledge of Moore's work.

Some of her well - regarded short stories include 'How to Become a Writer'. It humorously and poignantly delves into the struggles and self - delusions of a would - be writer. Another great one is 'People Like That Are the Only People Here', which tackles the harrowing experience of having a sick child in a very unique and engaging narrative style.

One of the highly regarded Lorrie Moore stories is 'How to Become a Writer'. It's a great example of her work as it showcases her unique narrative voice, wry humor, and incisive observations about the writing life and the human condition in general.

I would say 'Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?' is a top pick. The reason is that it has this really beautiful, almost dreamy quality to it. It makes you remember your own past and the relationships you had. The way Moore describes the setting and the feelings of the characters is so vivid that it draws you right into the story and makes you care about what happens to them.

One of Lorrie Moore's highly regarded novels is 'A Gate at the Stairs'. It delves deep into themes like race, family, and the coming - of - age of a young woman. The story is told through the eyes of Tassie, a college student who takes a job as a nanny for a couple with a complex situation. Moore's writing in this novel is both poignant and thought - provoking.

Well, one of the characteristics is her use of language. Lorrie Moore has a very distinct writing style. In her best short stories, she plays with words and phrases, creating a rhythm that draws the reader in. The themes are usually contemporary and deal with everyday life situations but with a twist. For example, relationships are often examined from different angles, showing the messiness and beauty of human connections. Also, her stories sometimes have an element of the unexpected, which keeps the reader on their toes.

One of her well - known short stories is 'How to Become a Writer'. It's a somewhat satirical look at the process of becoming a writer, filled with self - deprecating humor and relatable experiences for those in the writing world.