The Bread Loaf Anthology of Contemporary American Short Stories

The 22 stories in this collection were selected, say the editors, to ""reflect the variety and scope of fiction in this country in the 1980s.'' As a result, some will please, others may not, but there certainly is something for everyone. The minimalists are represented by Ann Beattie, whose story ``Gypsy Moths'' offers a sliver of life among young New Yorkers with uncertain marriages. Mark Helprin contributes ``The Pacific,'' a wonderfully lyrical piece about a woman who works in a factory while her husband is off fighting in World War II. Richard Ford's ``Fireworks'' is typical of the tough-guy narrative, and, in ``Trying to Save Piggy Sneed,'' John Irving presents a somewhatbut only somewhatfacetious discussion of why he became a writer. Most of the authors here are well knownGail Godwin, Joyce Carol Oates, Cynthia Ozick, John Updikewhich indicates a certain lack of adventurousness. At the same time, it would have been helpful if the editors had provided biographical information about each writer. (June)