SOURCE: "Caldwell's Stories: common Reader Response, Analysis and Appreciation at Home and Abroad," in Pembroke Magazine, No. 11, 1979, pp. 51-8.

Comsa is a Romanian writer, educator, and critic specializing in American literature. In the essay below, Comsa surveys the critical response to Caldwell's stories, declaring: "With few exceptions, judgements passed on Caldwell [have been onesided, sectarian, subservient to fashion as well as blind to his art, his range and significance. " The critic then calls for a reappraisal of all Caldwell's work, particularly his short stones.]

Erskine Caldwell has over one hundred and fifty short stories to his credit. More than any of the great American prose writers of his generation. That in this field his production outnumbers that of his colleagues is not surprising, for in Caldwell's rating the short story was always uncommonly high, and his faith in its function and virtues was infinitely stronger than theirs.

"I...