From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres—a luminous novella and short stories that explore the vicissitudes of love, friendship, and marriage. • “A glorious achievement….. Infinitely satisfying….. A triumph.” —The New York Times Book Review
In “The Pleasure of Her Company,” a lonely, single woman befriends the married couple next door, hoping to learn the secret of their happiness. In “Long Distance,” a man finds himself relieved of the obligation to continue an affair that is no longer compelling to him, only to be waylaid by the guilt he feels at his easy escape. And in the incandescently wise and moving title novella, a dentist, aware that his wife has fallen in love with someone else, must comfort her when she is spurned, while maintaining the secret of his own complicated sorrow. Beautifully written, with a wry intelligence and a lively comic touch, The Age of Grief captures moments of great intimacy with grace, clarity, and indelible emotional power.
8 comments:
I thought you were implying she had died...glad you learn that's not the case...but has she essentially stopped publishing short fiction? That would be too bad, as well...I've met her once, at George Mason U.
Recent interview podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrNmNgIUS2Q
In sleepy-head English, that translates to "Glad to learn"...
I recently read her non-fiction book about books and reading, which I really enjoyed.
Currently reading the collection of Bruno, Chief of Police stories by Martin Walker, nice, easygoing stories that are not mysteries for the most part, but plenty about cooking, wine, etc.
I read a lot of Jane Smiley 30 years ago. She was equally adept at writing novels and wonderful short stories!
This does sound excellent, Patti. It's interesting how we conceive of, and process, grief in different ways, and it sounds as though this set of stories captures that effectively.
Here's mine: Great English Short Stories (ed) Lewis Melville and Reginald Hargreaves - Part IV. https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/ssw-great-english-stories-ed-lewis-melville-and-reginald-hargreaves-1930-part-iv/
These stories do sound good. Unfortunately both of her short story collections are expensive (more than I want to pay) even as kindle editions, so we will look for those and Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel and some novels at the book sale first.
We had a copy Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel but it had tiny print and highlighting so we will be looking for another copy.
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