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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This collection of short stories came to me via my erotic bookclub. While our previous texts have been more explicitly sexual, I think these raw stories written with such edge bring out the complications of love and intimacy. For example, the final story about a family living in New Jersey explores gender dynamics. Set against the backdrop of the mountains, it platforms nature as the erotic.
"Now I'm on the verge of becoming an old lady, I'm starting to respond to nature again, to be stirred by the great outdoors." (213)
A sad power stitches each of these stories together with a quiet melancholy that moves naturally into hope. They are like little love stories to New York and it is so pleasing to read the interactions between each character. What I liked most is how unresolved each story is, just like life. Gaitskill turns her characters inside out and shows us the complexities of love. Each story goes beyond the 'happily ever after' stereotype and picks out the cruelty within sex and dating.
'Daisy's Valentine' is the first in the collection and a fine example of how love can not save us. A love that is full of misogynist power dynamics will burst the romantic ideals one holds about 'love is all'. In these stories love is not all. It is much more complex than that, especially set against a patriarchal 1980's America full of money.
A wonderful collection to dip in and out of and Gaitskill's sparse storytelling is funny too.
"Now I'm on the verge of becoming an old lady, I'm starting to respond to nature again, to be stirred by the great outdoors." (213)
A sad power stitches each of these stories together with a quiet melancholy that moves naturally into hope. They are like little love stories to New York and it is so pleasing to read the interactions between each character. What I liked most is how unresolved each story is, just like life. Gaitskill turns her characters inside out and shows us the complexities of love. Each story goes beyond the 'happily ever after' stereotype and picks out the cruelty within sex and dating.
'Daisy's Valentine' is the first in the collection and a fine example of how love can not save us. A love that is full of misogynist power dynamics will burst the romantic ideals one holds about 'love is all'. In these stories love is not all. It is much more complex than that, especially set against a patriarchal 1980's America full of money.
A wonderful collection to dip in and out of and Gaitskill's sparse storytelling is funny too.
a lot of the early stories blended together for me: young woman meets man, he wants to treat her badly / beat her and she likes it / thinks she'll like it / doesn't like it / etc. but the later stories (particularly "heaven") are quite lovely, and overall gaitskill writes people very well! i likes this, didnt love it
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
It may be that subsequent boats have raised around it in the genre since the 80's. It's worth a read for completeness if you're into the period.
By far the best story is 'Secretary.' It's stripped down and quizzical. I actually re-read this.
By far the best story is 'Secretary.' It's stripped down and quizzical. I actually re-read this.
4.5 ⭐️
so fun to read
favorites: daisy’s valentine, connection, other factors
so fun to read
favorites: daisy’s valentine, connection, other factors
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
