The Peaceable Kingdom

by Francine Prose

A collection of stories by the author of Primitive People and Household Saints features the tale of a young woman's epiphany during her Italian honeymoon and one child's illuminating field trip.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Francine Prose is the author of twenty works of fiction. Her novel A Changed Man won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and Blue Angel was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent works of nonfiction include the highly acclaimed Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, and the New York Times bestseller Reading Like a Writer. The recipient of numerous grants and honors, including a Guggenheim and a Fulbright, a Director's Fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library, Prose is a former president of PEN American Center, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her most recent book is Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[cheeseblab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prose defines perfect short-story writing for me: little glimpses of a life from which the whole can be pretty fairly guessed, leaving the voyeur feeling a lot more uncomfortable than satisfied.

[Shaindel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read two Francine Prose short story collections back-to-back when I lived in Florida, so I don't remember exactly which stories were in which, but I remember being entranced and wishing I could write like that. Wow!

[Zakiyyah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francine Prose does a beautiful job of taking the rose-colored glasses off of life and provokes readers to pause, think, and wonder what the full picture of every character’s story is no matter how small a role they play. I greatly appreciate the nuance and subtleties that go into showing “happy endings” are relative and people are not always what they portray themselves to be which is neither good or bad, simply human. One thing is for certain, I loved and was intrigued by every character and only wished that they would find true happiness, joy, and love outside of the sneak peek we got in each of the short stories. In every instance I hoped for more honest, open, and understanding communication between all parties involved in conflict. Key takeaway: humans are humans and it takes one to know one to keep the peace with oneself and others. But that is just my opinion. Take a look for yourself and holistically reflect on your ethos, pathos, and logos. Similar to The Alchemist, this book will leave you with an interpretation and impact that is souly unique to each reader. I wish you peace and freedom from any and all negativity. Thanks for reading my review. Thank you, Francine Prose for sharing your talent.

[j e s s a · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nothing else seemed appealing and for a while, I felt lost."
- Francine Prose, The Peaceable Kingdom

I managed to finally finish reading this book! I'm such a bummer for not being into it the first time I picked it up because, my ghad I had an overwhelming experience while reading this. Francine Prose's collection of stories is an awe-inspiring read filled with literary bravado that is both revealing and relatable. Some stories will brake your head to nuts while some will give you raw, emotional feels.
Guys, I really need someone to talk to about this book. Anyone? Ghad! I need a therapist!!!!!
P.S Will probably write a full and decent review after a reread.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing isn't bad per se, but the entire collection feels monotonous. Most of the stories are about hetero suburban couples who suck at relationships. Yeah, the characters have one or two quirks, but ultimately nothing of interest happens in any of the stories. Every once in a while there's an absolute gem of a sentence that says something profound about human nature, but overall this book was a waste of my time.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is solely in reference to the story, "Talking Dog". It was very oddball and gaunt, if that makes any sense. There was a sort of "Atonement"-esque sisterly competition and it reminded me a lot of the film "Evening". The theme of loving someone enough to let them go is well anthropomorphized here, but tragically. It was a different speed and I enjoyed it, in a sad way.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeesh. A collection of short stories a bought ages ago and finally read. Not worth the time. And seriously, does EVERY story have to have some form of adultery in it?? Anyway, off to the giveaway pile…

[Vivian Zenari · Rating 2 out of 5]

The motif of married people and disaffection didn’t grab me. I did like the cat story though

[Susan Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collections. Interesting characters and situations. Lots of introspection.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange and hopeful. I felt mildly bored the whole time. It was poetically written with small stories and moments of irrevocable change.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

How I felt about these 11 stories fluctuated strongly with my mood. Mostly, the book annoyed me, with its plotless anhedonia. When I was feeling tired or moody, however, I let down my cynical guard enough to be moved by some of the stories.

The weaknesses include: Nothing much happens. None of the characters have any empathy, motivation or self-awareness.
The scenes are set in a vaguely-sketched Northeast that lacks an adequate sense of place, and seems to be built upon assumption rather than description. Each story is structurally the same, ending with a boring epiphany - usually having to do with a bad romantic match.

The actual prose itself has its moments, appropriately enough given the author's name. But I don't think these stories hold together, individually or as a collection.

[Lisa Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prose has assembled here a collection of her stories which dissect at seemingly functional lives, for what an outsider would take as such. In the tradition of Cheever, she allows us to see into the nagging conscious of a character to see what is probably true of all our lives, nothing is certain, nothing is easy and no heart is wholly at peace. Well written, momentarily evocative but, sadly, not lasting. I am still trying to figure out exactly why Hawthorne's minister is wearing a black veil and what the wife in a Peter Taylor story is going to do about her cheating husband. I still won't buy yellow roses thanks to Faulkner's murderess Emily. I read those stories at least thirty years ago. However, these stories were gone within a day for me. Or, maybe they will boomerang back into my brain at some point. We'll see.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever a fan of Francine Prose and ever a short fiction lover, I suspected that this collection would win me over. And it did.
Quirky, unexpected, nuanced, and always 'whole', these stories provide more than simple diversion; they summon insight.
And Prose crafts them in clear, perfectly cadenced, and often slyly witty language.
If you too favor the genre of short fiction, I suggest you try this collection. You'll likely like it.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reminded me of a college english text wherein you read a story and write an analysis on it. I kept waiting, or wanting each story to relate to the next, but unfortunately they don't. Beautiful art on the cover, but that's about the most positive thing I can say. Well written? sure. But lacking in depth? definitely. One star because I have to give it something. Don't waste your time unless its required college reading.

[Jude Malta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel so-so about these short stories. I will admit they are better than most that I have read lately. Francine Prose does tend to base most of her stories on interpersonal relationships with ex's. Prose's characters' sentiments are pleasingly written so that the reader can fully comprehend their emotions; but, they aren't so strong that I will break down and cry with her characters.

[jillian (jill) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I told myself at the beginning of every story, "THIS is going to be the one that I LOVE!" I didn't love any of them. I didn't even kind of LIKE any of them. The writing was very good though- reminded me of O'Connor's style a little bit.

[Ellen]

Recommended by Riese.

[Emily Crouch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked it up on the street because the title reminded me of Hauerwas. The writing is tight. The stories are bizarre, really bizarre.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, all of the stories were interesting, but at the same time they almost seemed too random and I had a hard time with that.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't like short stories.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

reads like a beginners guide to short stories. I felt like it closed everything up to neatly without letting me figure things out for myself.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say I want more bonbons like this--but they're lighter than that. And they're equally heavy. Nice to know Albanians feature in CosiFanTutti

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One or two stories are really outstanding, the others are fine pieces of work.