What do you think?
Rate this book
Pills, Thrills, Chills, and Heartache: Adventures in the First Person
Thirty-seven writers. One rule. Each story must be told in the first person.
In this nice fat collection of original stories, some of the most daring writers on the American literary scene take up that slim little word 'I' and use it to poke around the darkest, funkiest corners of their very own minds. Here you'll find J.T. LeRoy, Alvin Orloff, Kevin Killian, Dennis Cooper, Inga Muscio, Eileen Myles, Jayson Elliott, Thea Hillman, and a couple of dozen of their fellow travelers sending dispatches from the fringe.
And, oh, the people they'll bring into your personal space: speed freaks, scat freaks, cybersexualists, sober virgins, beatnik groupies, punk-rock shoplifters, gender benders, Tourette's syndrome fetishists, gloomophiles, glamazons, and even a naked butoh dancer.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel soiled and disturbed. You may even be inspired to have a few perverted adventures of your own. Please do!
Clint Catalyst is the Southern-fried, sissified, Goth-damaged, punk-spirited, hyper-hyphenated, degenerate author of Cottonmouth Kisses.
Michelle Tea is the author of the memoir Chelsea Whistle, the Lambda Award-Winning dyke drama Valencia, and The Passionate Mistakes of One Girl in America.
In this nice fat collection of original stories, some of the most daring writers on the American literary scene take up that slim little word 'I' and use it to poke around the darkest, funkiest corners of their very own minds. Here you'll find J.T. LeRoy, Alvin Orloff, Kevin Killian, Dennis Cooper, Inga Muscio, Eileen Myles, Jayson Elliott, Thea Hillman, and a couple of dozen of their fellow travelers sending dispatches from the fringe.
And, oh, the people they'll bring into your personal space: speed freaks, scat freaks, cybersexualists, sober virgins, beatnik groupies, punk-rock shoplifters, gender benders, Tourette's syndrome fetishists, gloomophiles, glamazons, and even a naked butoh dancer.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel soiled and disturbed. You may even be inspired to have a few perverted adventures of your own. Please do!
Clint Catalyst is the Southern-fried, sissified, Goth-damaged, punk-spirited, hyper-hyphenated, degenerate author of Cottonmouth Kisses.
Michelle Tea is the author of the memoir Chelsea Whistle, the Lambda Award-Winning dyke drama Valencia, and The Passionate Mistakes of One Girl in America.
328 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 12, 2011
I love this book, and find it amusing that anyone would complain about the subject matter, considering the title as well as the list of authors. Kind of like reading The Joy of Gay Sex and complaining about there being "too much homosexuality."
Favorites that immediately come to mind are Cara Bruce's "Love Boat and Lingerie," Charlie Anders' "I Am So Smart," Jayson Elliot's "New," Eileen Myles' "Liquid Sky," Alvin Orloff's "Hell House," Dennis Cooper's "One Night...," Dodie Bellamy's "Phonezone," Sara Seinberg's "Twelve (Other) Easy Steps To God," Shawna Kenney's "Shiny Baubles," and yes, the contributions from editors Tea and Catalyst.
The subject matter is not for the conservative or easily-offended, and the colloquial manner in which (most) are written is not for staunch advocates of 'literature' as defined by the Western Canon. However, for readers who are interested in the first-person narrative--in particular, anecdotes exploring the topics of pills, thrills, chills, and/or heartache--this is an excellent introduction to the authors included therein.
As for the snide comment about "high school journals," so many of the people involved in this collection are well-established authors (within their respective mileus, very least), I can't help but wonder if the attack is personal--either to one of the editors, or perhaps a contributor? As stated earlier, this anthology isn't for everyone...but what is? It was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2004, so I guess I'm not alone in my assessment.
Favorites that immediately come to mind are Cara Bruce's "Love Boat and Lingerie," Charlie Anders' "I Am So Smart," Jayson Elliot's "New," Eileen Myles' "Liquid Sky," Alvin Orloff's "Hell House," Dennis Cooper's "One Night...," Dodie Bellamy's "Phonezone," Sara Seinberg's "Twelve (Other) Easy Steps To God," Shawna Kenney's "Shiny Baubles," and yes, the contributions from editors Tea and Catalyst.
The subject matter is not for the conservative or easily-offended, and the colloquial manner in which (most) are written is not for staunch advocates of 'literature' as defined by the Western Canon. However, for readers who are interested in the first-person narrative--in particular, anecdotes exploring the topics of pills, thrills, chills, and/or heartache--this is an excellent introduction to the authors included therein.
As for the snide comment about "high school journals," so many of the people involved in this collection are well-established authors (within their respective mileus, very least), I can't help but wonder if the attack is personal--either to one of the editors, or perhaps a contributor? As stated earlier, this anthology isn't for everyone...but what is? It was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2004, so I guess I'm not alone in my assessment.
June 20, 2015
I was pretty much predisposed to liking this since it has some of my favorite people in it. Then I ended up spending a ton of money because I kept buying the books of all the new authors whose stories I liked.
July 12, 2013
This excellent collection of personal stories read like ripping pages out of the diaries of some very cool people. Vicarious living at its best.
October 27, 2007
Full disclosure: I have a story in here. But honestly, just about all the stories in this anthology are swell. And there's an amazing variety.
August 15, 2007
Michelle Tea and Clint Catalyst live up to their reputations with the roles of editors of this work of fiction with the only rule being the writers had to write their stories in the first person. Dyke Drama, Scat Scenes, Meth Addicts, Anarchist Squatters, Goth Queens, and more by some of the hottest names in the queer lit scene abound
March 14, 2012
I must have read my copy of this book at least 5 times straight thru when I finally got it in the mail. Not every story will be for you, but if you don't love the majority of this book, check your pulse.
June 25, 2014
Great selection of outsider mini-memoirs. I was drawn in by Clint Catalyst and Michelle Tea, but wound up becoming a fan of several other writers by the time I was done reading. Spoiler: drugs and fucking.
November 13, 2007
i'm generally a fan of anything michelle tea touches, and this book has some great stuff in it, and pointed me to a lot of people i want to read more of.
September 15, 2019
Pills, Chills, Thrills, And Heartache is an anthology of original work devoted entirely to the most timeless and tiniest of personal pronouns, "I." You'll find nothing here that isn't told in frank first person. My applause to Clint Catalyst and Michelle Tea, who have done a fine job, in both editing and writing for this self-centered collection.
Pills isn't the kind of book that should be read in one sitting. Well, I suppose you could, but why? It's the Belgium chocolate of short stories, no, better even, it's the single glass of Chardonnay. Refreshing and satisfying, it's hard not to go back immediately for more. But these pills are even better tasted one at a time and savored. They aren't packed with carbs and they won't get you drunk, but oh the jig these tales dance in the lower regions. I am still not quite over Sara Seinberg's Twelve (Other) Easy Steps to God.
Pills owes its perverse beauty to the diversity of its stories as well as the diversity of its many authors. This book, forty stories strong, boasts the brain bits of, J.T. LeRoy, Jayson Elliott, Thea Hillman, Dennis Cooper and the list goes on and on and on. Still, the works are a treat, all in just a few pages each, making them easy to chew and digest on a lunch hour, or the bus, or just before bed.
For me, though, this book has become the palate cleansing reading for as long as the few stories remaining to be read, well, remain to be read. Its places—on my bed-side stand, in my every day bag, in the bathroom and under my pillow—have been well earned.
Pills isn't the kind of book that should be read in one sitting. Well, I suppose you could, but why? It's the Belgium chocolate of short stories, no, better even, it's the single glass of Chardonnay. Refreshing and satisfying, it's hard not to go back immediately for more. But these pills are even better tasted one at a time and savored. They aren't packed with carbs and they won't get you drunk, but oh the jig these tales dance in the lower regions. I am still not quite over Sara Seinberg's Twelve (Other) Easy Steps to God.
Pills owes its perverse beauty to the diversity of its stories as well as the diversity of its many authors. This book, forty stories strong, boasts the brain bits of, J.T. LeRoy, Jayson Elliott, Thea Hillman, Dennis Cooper and the list goes on and on and on. Still, the works are a treat, all in just a few pages each, making them easy to chew and digest on a lunch hour, or the bus, or just before bed.
For me, though, this book has become the palate cleansing reading for as long as the few stories remaining to be read, well, remain to be read. Its places—on my bed-side stand, in my every day bag, in the bathroom and under my pillow—have been well earned.
August 18, 2008
Like any anthology, this is a mixed bag, some stuff I really liked, some I didn't even bother to read more than the first page. The pieces by queer boys were the ones that interested me the most, I find it hard to find "underground" writting by fags. If anyone has suggestions I'd be happy to hear them.
December 2, 2007
I don't remember this book that well, but I do remember a section of "The IHOP Papers" that I read in it. After I read it, I waited for what felt like forever for Ali Liebowitz' novel to come out. Some very funny stories in here too. Definitely worth looking at.
August 26, 2014
Nitty gritty goodness from all the contributors!
August 6, 2025
I have a great fondness for gay/queer literary anthologies and I would have liked to sing the praises of this one and, maybe, if I had written a review in 2017 when I first read this one, I would have done so. But by the time I looked at it again 2020 (a COVID lock down reread) and even more when I read much of it again at the end of 2024 my enthusiasm was greatly diminished because I felt that, published in 2004, it was now showing its age and even worse, its parochialism. The anthology is redolent of the 1990s and of the West Coast of the USA. Perhaps the anthology is simply trapped in that no man's land of ceasing to be au courant but not yet free of the specifics of a particular era.
Unfortunately I also think that many of the pieces aren't very good but even more problematic I am out of sympathy with the anthologies intentions. I looked upon it as a collection of 'literature' but it was intended to be read as a collection of 'solicited...first-person narratives...celebrat(ing) the avant-garde' (from the Wikipedia entries on Clint Catalyst & Michelle Tea). The avant garde dates even faster than fashion and is not a basis for quality. One of the editors most glaring absurd judgments was to place J T LeRoy one of the two most prominently featured authors on the anthology's cover (the other was Dennis Cooper). Aside from LeRoy's subsequent exposure as a fantasist and liar her contribution is so mediocre, at barely two pages, as to appear almost as an insult to so many other fine contributors. Did the editors really rank LeRoy as more important than Kevin Killian?
The anthology is not without interest, but it hasn't led me to any new or interesting writers, the main purpose of any anthology. As a parish pump magazine of 1990s 'avant garde celebrities' accounts of their lives I can understand why it was number 10 on the Los Angeles Times non fiction list in 2004, but again the LA Times listing only reinforces my perception of this a 'regional' anthology, though not advertising itself as such.
I will keep the anthology on my shelf but I doubt I will reread anytime soon.
Unfortunately I also think that many of the pieces aren't very good but even more problematic I am out of sympathy with the anthologies intentions. I looked upon it as a collection of 'literature' but it was intended to be read as a collection of 'solicited...first-person narratives...celebrat(ing) the avant-garde' (from the Wikipedia entries on Clint Catalyst & Michelle Tea). The avant garde dates even faster than fashion and is not a basis for quality. One of the editors most glaring absurd judgments was to place J T LeRoy one of the two most prominently featured authors on the anthology's cover (the other was Dennis Cooper). Aside from LeRoy's subsequent exposure as a fantasist and liar her contribution is so mediocre, at barely two pages, as to appear almost as an insult to so many other fine contributors. Did the editors really rank LeRoy as more important than Kevin Killian?
The anthology is not without interest, but it hasn't led me to any new or interesting writers, the main purpose of any anthology. As a parish pump magazine of 1990s 'avant garde celebrities' accounts of their lives I can understand why it was number 10 on the Los Angeles Times non fiction list in 2004, but again the LA Times listing only reinforces my perception of this a 'regional' anthology, though not advertising itself as such.
I will keep the anthology on my shelf but I doubt I will reread anytime soon.
July 26, 2008
Some of this was interesting--like, maybe a few moments here and there. But when I realized that every story was about fucking and getting high or maybe getting high and then fucking, I lost interest. Maybe in my early 20s, when I was likewise obsessed with these two activities, I would have enjoyed this book more. But, I don't know, I guess I like things a little more complex and complicated in my ooooold age aka late 20s.
October 20, 2008
i got a tip to read this from one of the authors. I never knew poorly written teenage goth poetry and diaries can actually get published. So capital L-A-M-E
April 28, 2008
I really wish Michelle Tea could spearhead a project that isn't soaked with skin-crawl-inducing drug and sex themes. Shudder.
February 14, 2011
A few gems, but mostly full of poor writing that would have been better left in the teenage journals from which they were likely culled.
July 29, 2016
Most stories are poorly written, the rest don't seem to have a point beyond being drug or sex fueled escapades.
July 18, 2018
Like any collection of short stories, there were some pieces I really liked and others I had to struggle through. However, my main problem with this collection was its repetitive nature. The topics and themes (which do hold the collection together) were a bit too repetitive for me (we get it youth! hedonism! drugs!). The collection felt special in that it gave insights into communities and moments people rarely want to discuss (stories of prostitutes, junkies, LBGTQ people, abuse survivors, people living with AIDS in the 1980s, etc.).
Despite the nature of this collection feeling repetitive, I am happy this collection gave a spotlight to these authors and I will be looking into additional work by some of the authors. Some, though, I think I have read quite enough of. This is certainly not for people easily offended or grossed out (yah don't read over dinner-the authors get graphic) which I thankfully am not. Read if you never want to get into heroin.
Despite the nature of this collection feeling repetitive, I am happy this collection gave a spotlight to these authors and I will be looking into additional work by some of the authors. Some, though, I think I have read quite enough of. This is certainly not for people easily offended or grossed out (yah don't read over dinner-the authors get graphic) which I thankfully am not. Read if you never want to get into heroin.
July 23, 2019
The cover art is shockingly awful so I wasn't expecting much from this. However a couple of stories in and I was surprised to find I was having a lot of fun. This is a quite a strong anthology heavily weighted towards queer themes and contemporary San Franscico.
Probably my favourite is Clint Catalyst's "Friend or Faux". I was chuckling out loud at some of the sharehouse misadventures here (there's quite a few sharehouse stories and I enjoyed all of them). I also recommend "Pride" by Don Baird. A good first person story should feel true and uncensored, and this one certainly did. I also really liked "Karaoke King" by Jackie Strano, which is short fast and elegant.
I was curious to note that in the story "On My Planet", female characters were apparently performing fellatio on each other. I couldn't tell if this was written purposely or by accident or maybe I'm just behind the times. Also in this story the women consume "synthetic heroin that was supposed to be ecstasy", which also stood out to me as somewhat odd.
This is a good collection and it deserves a better presentation! Probably half of all fiction is written in the first person so it strikes me as a silly way to try and tie the stories together. Also I'm not sure about the title either - Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
Ignore the ugly coffin-shapes on the cover and give this a go.
(more reviews at http://bench-press.blogspot.com/ )
Probably my favourite is Clint Catalyst's "Friend or Faux". I was chuckling out loud at some of the sharehouse misadventures here (there's quite a few sharehouse stories and I enjoyed all of them). I also recommend "Pride" by Don Baird. A good first person story should feel true and uncensored, and this one certainly did. I also really liked "Karaoke King" by Jackie Strano, which is short fast and elegant.
I was curious to note that in the story "On My Planet", female characters were apparently performing fellatio on each other. I couldn't tell if this was written purposely or by accident or maybe I'm just behind the times. Also in this story the women consume "synthetic heroin that was supposed to be ecstasy", which also stood out to me as somewhat odd.
This is a good collection and it deserves a better presentation! Probably half of all fiction is written in the first person so it strikes me as a silly way to try and tie the stories together. Also I'm not sure about the title either - Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
Ignore the ugly coffin-shapes on the cover and give this a go.
(more reviews at http://bench-press.blogspot.com/ )
Want to read
June 21, 2022charlie jane anders again
June 5, 2025
As with any anthology- some stories were hits, some were abject misses. The person who owned the book before me had highlighted their favourite stories in the index and I had fun cross-comparing my own favourites with theirs. Some of the stories were borderline unreadable & some I enjoyed so much I found myself searching for more of the author’s work afterwards.
July 26, 2011
I was surprised to find this in a bookshop and bought it out of curiosity. I thought, since it had made it onto the shelves of a mainstream bookshop, it must have some merit. I am also interested in exploring the extremes of sexual experiences. I want to read about what people think of as edgy, dangerous and cool. I want to encounter people with imagination who can go beyond convention and routine.
My expectations of this book were not high but it was still a huge disappointment. It was a struggle to find a single story in here that held my interest let alone one that I could recommend. Some are better than others. Some should never, ever have been published.
This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
My expectations of this book were not high but it was still a huge disappointment. It was a struggle to find a single story in here that held my interest let alone one that I could recommend. Some are better than others. Some should never, ever have been published.
This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews