Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Ship Fever
Short Stories· United States

Ship Fever

by Andrea Barrett
Aggregate Editorial Score57/100
★National Book Award
Published 1997English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of short stories have earned the sustained critical attention that Ship Fever (1997) by Andrea Barrett continues to receive. Barrett's National Book Award–winning collection of stories connects science and history through figures such as Linnaeus and Mendel, and culminates in the title novella about a doctor at a quarantine station for Irish famine refugees. The stories illuminate the beauty and tragedy of the pursuit of knowledge. Themes of science, history, disease run through the work. The book has received recognition from National Book Award 1997.

Book Details

AuthorAndrea Barrett
Published1997
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Category📄 Short Stories
ISBN9780393038231
Editorial Score57/100
About the Category

📄 Short Stories

Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

Explore all Short Stories books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Andrea Barrett published Ship Fever in 1997, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of short stories from United States. The book's treatment of science, history, disease, discovery accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: National Book Award 1997. With an editorial score of 57/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Ship Fever lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of science, history, disease, discovery is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United States's literary landscape, Andrea Barrett occupies a significant position. Ship Fever is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

National Book Award
winner · national
199757
✍️
About the Author
Andrea Barrett
United States
View Author →

Andrea Barrett is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of short stories.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Olive Kitteridge
literary-fiction

Olive Kitteridge

Elizabeth Strout· 2009
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score74/100
Cover of Ficciones
short-stories

Ficciones

Jorge Luis Borges· 1944
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score71/100
Cover of A Visit from the Goon Squad
literary-fiction

A Visit from the Goon Squad

Jennifer Egan· 2011
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score68/100
Cover of The Stories of John Cheever
short-stories

The Stories of John Cheever

John Cheever· 1979
★National Book Award
Editorial Score61/100
Cover of The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake
short-stories

The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake

Breece D'J Pancake· 1983
★PEN/Faulkner Award
Editorial Score61/100
Cover of The Mirror of Lida Sal
short-stories

The Mirror of Lida Sal

Miguel Ángel Asturias· 1967
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score60/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ship Fever about?

Barrett's National Book Award–winning collection of stories connects science and history through figures such as Linnaeus and Mendel, and culminates in the title novella about a doctor at a quarantine station for Irish famine refugees. The stories illuminate the beauty and tragedy of the pursuit of knowledge.

Who wrote Ship Fever?

Ship Fever was written by Andrea Barrett, from United States. First published in 1997.

What awards has Ship Fever won?

Ship Fever has received the following awards and honours: National Book Award 1997.

Is Ship Fever worth reading?

Ship Fever is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 57/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in science, history, disease.

Where can I buy Ship Fever?

You can buy Ship Fever on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Ship Fever?

Ship Fever is classified as Short Stories. Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

What country is Ship Fever from?

Ship Fever originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📄More Short StoriesBrowse all Short Stories books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅1990s BooksPublished in the 1990s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time