A Disturbance in One Place

by Binnie Kirshenbaum

Brazen and given to transgressions, the narrator of this mordantly witty novel is an aloof, tough talking, married Manhattan woman who carries on three affairs simultaneously, blithely breaking seven of the Ten Commandments in her search for a safe place to land. Rootless, bouncing from bed to bed, she knows she is pure of heart. If only she could find where her heart got lost. Irreverent and achingly honest, she points to the small but infinitely deep cracks in our masks, drawing the reader into her world of misadventure -- erotic, comic, and deeply unsettling. Juggling four men -- her husband, "the hit man," "the multimedia artist," and "the love of her life" -- she can't decide whether she is out to prove or disprove the Talmudic wisdom: If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, American, Novels

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Binnie Kirshenbaum is the author of two short story collections, six novels, and numerous essays and reviews. Her work is noted for its humorous and ribald prose, which often disguises themes of human loneliness and the yearning for connection. Her heroines are usually urban, very smart, and chastened by lifetimes of unwelcome surprises. Kirshenbaum has been published in German, French, Hebrew, Turkish, and several other languages.

Kirshenbaum grew up in New York and attended Columbia University and Brooklyn College. She is the chair of the Writing Division of the Columbia University Graduate School of the Arts, where she has served as a professor of fiction for more than a decade.

Called, “a humorist, even a comedian, a sort of stand-up tragic,” by Richard Howard, Kirshenbaum has twice won Critics’ Choice Awards and was selected as one of the Best Young American Novelists by Granta Magazine. Kirshenbaum was also a nominee for The National Jewish Book Award for her novel Hester Among the Ruins. Her new novel, The Scenic Route, was published in May, 2009. Of the novel, Gary Steyngart says, “The Scenic Route is warm, wise, and very difficult to put down."

Binnie Kirshenbaum lives and works in New York City.

Binnie Kirshenbaum was born in Yonkers and grew up in Westchester County. After attending Columbia University as an undergraduate, Kirshenbaum earned her MFA at Brooklyn College. She taught at Wagner College before joining the faculty at the Writing Division of Columbia University's School of the Arts.

Reviews

[Karyl · Rating 1 out of 5]

The narrator of this book is left-handed, Jewish, and married -- though that last fact doesn't keep her from carrying on two sexual affairs and one emotional affair simultaneously. The back of my copy has a quote from the New York Newsday that reads: "Kirshenbaum has created a woman who is neither corrupted nor cynical, and we year, like the author, to set her free." Unfortunately, I could not agree. I found the narrator (no one in this book has a name, aside from her friends the Kessel sisters, but then only referred to as a group) to be rather jaded and cynical, satisfying only herself and almost taking pleasure in causing others pain.

Not only that, but while I am not a prude, I don't so much care for vulgar terms for sex and genitals to be flung about, willy-nilly. It gave the book an almost juvenile air, as if every time the author used one of these words, she sniggered behind her hand.

I am only glad that this was just one of the 28 books I'd picked up for $3 at a library book sale. It's going in the donate pile for the thrift store.

[helena · Rating 1 out of 5]

written by a professor of creative writing, this book reminds me why i loathe fiction writers who reside in academia.

i picked the book up in a clearance bin, and made the fatal error of bringing it home with me.

it's as though kirshenbaum dealt with simultaneous desires to be both an exalted academic and the next danielle steele, and the result is an unfortunate piece of smut.

that said, i got through it in just a few hours, and when it wasn't busy being overwhelmingly tragic, it almost made me laugh once or twice. but i'd not readily recommend it to anyone i liked.

[bellatrix begins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ortada bir tedirginlik yok. Kayda değer bir konu olduğu da söylenemez.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really know what to think about this book. I felt like I was in the middle of a French film with this one. This is a book about a powerful woman who, in all traditional manners, pretty much acts like what we stereotypically think of as a man. She is a confident man-izer, married with three lovers and not one ounce of guilt. I would applaud but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. The story stays on the surface, not giving away any reasons why she does these things - it touches on doubt, on annoyances, on grief, but it never truly lets the reader in. I suppose that is the point, once thought about. We never truly know what goes on in a marriage, let alone an affair. Which leads the reader to believe we never truly know what goes on in one's heart.

[Erin Hutson · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story with revealing insights about the fickleness of love, guilt, and intimacy. However, I wanted to like it more than I actually did. The resolution seemed forced and cliche. I bought a book of short stories by Kirshenbaum which, judging by the writing style, I will like more than this full length novel of hers.

[Nia Forrester · Rating 1 out of 5]

All I can say is that I am clearly not the audience for this book. Still, I don't know to whom I might recommend it with the expectation that they at least might gain something from the experience. Not bad writing at all, but for me it was largely inaccessible, and lacking in emotional resonance.

[Keri Ault · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book on hold at the library and still don’t remember where the recommendation came from. Written in 1994, it definitely feels dated, although i actually felt like i was watching a film from the 1970’s as an “independent woman juggles multiple lovers”.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lotta sex.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The honesty of her compartmentalized relationships with her lovers, and herself, should be a must-read for all young women...and, more importantly, all young men.

[Kandace Walczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy, fun and witty. A great read!

[Astralzeeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels like an black and white Eric Rohmer movie minus the philosophy....Excellent for a summer afternoon in the shades.

[ella :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

very pleasantly surprised by this book

[gwen g · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, raced through it. She writes the way I do... but only in my head.

It's the story of a woman with multiple lovers, a husband she's keeping them all from... very stream-of-consciousness.

"I stand up, a little wobbly, and go to the bathroom. I'd like to throw up, but I'm not sick to my stomach. It's that other sickness, the ache, the sharp hunger pang, having mushroomed, screames for me to fill the hollow. With one husband, a handful of paramours, three friends, I ought to be full. I don't know where there's an opening. So I sit on the edge of the tub and hug myself, hug myself tightly, squeeze real hard as if this feeling were a pocket of air I could force out, the way water is forced out of a drowning man's lungs." (158)

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book enthralled but confused me.

Who is the enigmatic “Love of her Life”? Her husband is equally enigmatic. And who are the Kessel Sisters, just facets of our heroine? Is it a book of addictions and addictive actions? Is it nothing more than fever dreams? And do we wake from our fevers?

It is a book of questions that I could not put down. The ending did not ring true for me, but I was constantly compelled towards it. I’m glad I read it, but wish that I understood more.

[Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

- "A New York woman - married, Jewish, left-handed - carries on three simultaneous affairs. Distant, aloof, tough-talking, she is concerned more with God than with religion, and blithely breaks seven of the Ten Commandments in her search for innocence and a safe place to land...a woman who seems unable to prove or disprove the Talmudic wisdom that if you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there."
- racy, but unsatifying...really doesn't 'go anywhere'

[Kelly K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fifth #BOOKTUBEATHON challenge completed! 2. Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name.

I wasn't expecting much out of this book, but I was expecting a little more than what was given. There really wasn't anything happening and writing wasn't anything special.

[Gato Negro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Per usual, Binnie Kirshenbaum has surpassed any and all expectations. I love the strong characters, esp. the lead female. I love that none of the characters have names. I love that it is sexual, and extremely so...an awesome read.

[Jeffrey McKinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't read fifty shades of grey but if you want to read a pointless story filled with sex, this is your book.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

pointless ramblings. no plot. no end.