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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
The prose is sharply funny, though the many of the leads in these stories seem to be somewhat resigned that things will not improve. The author seemed to want to ensure that we got that message throughout. The thoughts and dialogues was so clever, across so many characters in stories, and a little too consistent for me. Most stories flow well and have a subtle mixture of inner thoughts, action and memory. In summary, the funny prose and the keen observations of relationships are worth it.
This collection was, frankly, a bit disappointing. Of the eight stories included here, only two seemed like well-developed actual short stories (i.e., more than 12 pages), while the other six, all fewer than 12 tiny pages all felt incomplete — like first drafts of longer projects. The two longer stories, however, were both very good. Lorrie Moore is one of those writers for whom the curtains are never just blue — everything means something else. The first story, titled "Debarked" is about a divorced guy named Ira who begins dating a crazy woman with a teenaged son, and a very uncomfortable-making relationship with him. Poor Ira just can't seem to get it together. The other long story - my favorite in the collection - is titled "Wings." It's about a failed musician couple who live in a rental house in the suburbs. The woman befriends a dying old man in the neighborhood, which creates more problems than she could've thought. Fascinating story, in which Moore's trick here is making the easy way out not seem like the easy way out. You'll have to read it for that to make more sense. This collection is worth picking up just for this story.
Of the eight stories, one I really liked and thought well developed, two were pretty good and the rest were forgettable. I think. I don't really remember though I only finished this today. Some very nice lines, and a uniform and depressing view of the world. Divorces and musicians and rats (and some musical rats, or rather rattish musicians).
It is a VERY slight 'novel' though, running less than 200 pages long. I would not pay full price for it. (My copy was free.)
"The sky was the deep belligerent blue of a hyacinth."
Dang, girl.
Dang, girl.
Lorrie Moore has a very interesting way of comparison. She describes ordinary life and people in an ingenious manner. She makes very different observations of life.
I seem to be missing whatever it is that makes the critics rave about Lorrie Moore. Of the 8 stories only 2-3 were stories I liked and many of the rest I wanted to fast forward or skip past in the audio. Disappointing for how critically acclaimed it was.
This collection of short stories started strong, and just fizzled out for me. Uninteresting characters and droll stories.
gonna be honest. Wings is the only story i really latched onto, here. also, i took “candles were made for the sad, sexually shy, out of shape” real fucking personal.
not every collection can be Self Help, i get it.
not every collection can be Self Help, i get it.