Hi Ben. Start with the Maths Tutor in the aforementioned New Yorker issue. I am just starting her latest collection of short stories called After the Funeral. It is stunningly good. I have a hunch you’ll “get” her immediately.
I’ve invited The Guest into my library. She got there thanks to you. If we could bottle your wisdom and enthusiasm, there’d be no more energy crisis !
Do you know Tessa Hadley (page 54, July 24 issue of the NY’er). She merits being “Dolnicked”. I love reading your posts. Keep them coming and thank you!
I debated for months about reading this repellent and alluring book about a summer in The Hamptons. I could not put it down. The writing is as you say -- mean -- and right on. Lots of real characters are incredibly like the ones Cline paints: spoiled, bored, insecure and completely lost. It’s a perfectly beautiful, singularly f’ed up place all glossed up by the gorgeous beaches, private homes, and amazing food enjoyed only by people seeking their best life -- if only the ticks would stop making everyone afraid to take a walk. One can imagine Cline’s main character desperately trying to squeeze her way in.
That is so strange. Be prepared to meet your literary soul mate. Read “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain.” It’s a short story masterclass that is based on Russian writers. It is amazing!!! I am not a huge fan of Saunders’ fiction but A Swim .... changed my life and turbo-charged my writing. Happy weekend!
In case my previous comment got muddled: I definitely know (and love) Saunders! I didn't know Constantine. But in any event, yes, A Swim... was great. I often liked his commentary much better than I liked the stories he was writing about. It's been interesting, seeing how his particular revision-focused method of composition does and doesn't work for me. I think I am for better or worse sloppier in my method of composition than that.
Yes! I've been a giant Saunders devotee since coming across "The Barber's Unhappiness" in the New Yorker when I was in high school -- I convinced my English teacher to assign it to the entire class, to about half of the kids' bewilderment.
Here’s another “rec” for you. “In Another Country” a collection of short stories by David Constantine. The title story is exquisitely well written. Tiny, almost invisible brush strokes paint a portrait of a childless couple late in life. It was made into a film in 2015 with Charlotte Rampling. The celluloid version is called “45 Years”. Both iterations are howl-provoking-ly sublime --- subtle and sensitive.
The touchingly persistent narcoleptic. Ha! What an image.
Hi Ben. Start with the Maths Tutor in the aforementioned New Yorker issue. I am just starting her latest collection of short stories called After the Funeral. It is stunningly good. I have a hunch you’ll “get” her immediately.
Happy discovery!
thank you so much for recommending hadley! she really is amazing, and could hardly be more up my alley. don't be shy if you have any other recs!
I’ve invited The Guest into my library. She got there thanks to you. If we could bottle your wisdom and enthusiasm, there’d be no more energy crisis !
Do you know Tessa Hadley (page 54, July 24 issue of the NY’er). She merits being “Dolnicked”. I love reading your posts. Keep them coming and thank you!
Thanks so much Jane! I know Tessa Hadley's name but I've never read anything by her. Fun! Where do you recommend I start?
I debated for months about reading this repellent and alluring book about a summer in The Hamptons. I could not put it down. The writing is as you say -- mean -- and right on. Lots of real characters are incredibly like the ones Cline paints: spoiled, bored, insecure and completely lost. It’s a perfectly beautiful, singularly f’ed up place all glossed up by the gorgeous beaches, private homes, and amazing food enjoyed only by people seeking their best life -- if only the ticks would stop making everyone afraid to take a walk. One can imagine Cline’s main character desperately trying to squeeze her way in.
Ouf. That’s reassuring!
Clearly ahead of your time!
That is so strange. Be prepared to meet your literary soul mate. Read “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain.” It’s a short story masterclass that is based on Russian writers. It is amazing!!! I am not a huge fan of Saunders’ fiction but A Swim .... changed my life and turbo-charged my writing. Happy weekend!
In case my previous comment got muddled: I definitely know (and love) Saunders! I didn't know Constantine. But in any event, yes, A Swim... was great. I often liked his commentary much better than I liked the stories he was writing about. It's been interesting, seeing how his particular revision-focused method of composition does and doesn't work for me. I think I am for better or worse sloppier in my method of composition than that.
PS and you know George Saunders, right?
Yes! I've been a giant Saunders devotee since coming across "The Barber's Unhappiness" in the New Yorker when I was in high school -- I convinced my English teacher to assign it to the entire class, to about half of the kids' bewilderment.
Here’s another “rec” for you. “In Another Country” a collection of short stories by David Constantine. The title story is exquisitely well written. Tiny, almost invisible brush strokes paint a portrait of a childless couple late in life. It was made into a film in 2015 with Charlotte Rampling. The celluloid version is called “45 Years”. Both iterations are howl-provoking-ly sublime --- subtle and sensitive.
I don't know him at all! Putting it on hold at the library now. Thank you thank you