Seduction Theory: Stories

by Thomas Beller

Seduction Theory is a sparkling debut collection of stories that capture the painfully funny intersection of sex and the (tentative) onset of maturity.
Thomas Beller's poised, alert, disarming, and ultra-contemporary tales of young life and young love in the city are piercing comedies of romantic misadventure. In a manner that is completely fresh and yet timeless they evoke the awkwardness and vulnerability of life in your twenties, when you feel you should know who you are - and you don't. Readers of all ages will ache with recognition at the stumbling mating dances that Beller's characters engage in. Feigned sophistication is interrupted by attacks of delayed adolescence, real lust by spasms of equally real ambivalence. His young characters are so gauche yet appealing that you laugh and wince at the same time.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

205 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Thomas Beller is an American author and editor.

Reviews

[Dennis Bolen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is East Coast author Thomas Beller’s first major publication. It is a collection of short stories, a number of which have appeared in small magazines, and one of which got published in The New Yorker. The pieces are usually linked by theme and milieu; this is definitely a big-cityscape rendering and therein is the strength. Reading of the bistros, the clubs and street theatre I was regretful of time not spent in The Big Apple. But as for the characters, there seemed to be an excessive Bright Lights, Big City flavour to the bored and ultra-cool proceedings. Men and women repeatedly try to connect despite their cumbersome poises which isolate them to the point of emotional ex-communication. We’ve seen it all before.

The interesting thing about Seduction Theory is the fact that the book was mainly marketed using the author’s dandy good looks. There is a massive photo of his Melrose Place-esque visage on the back of the dust jacket. Much is made of his youth. Fine. One of these days he might write a good book, too, but this lightweight effort won’t send me running out to find his next.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written. I felt like I was growing up in New York alongside Beller's characters. I felt like I was at the Hannakuh party near the end. However, some of these short stories made me incredibly uncomfortable as a woman. Most (if not all) (actually, quite possibly all, including Alex's own mother near the end!) are objectified and do nothing but give the reader insight into the protagonist(s) perverse imagination. Are we meant to believe all men think this way? Because there was not one male character in these stories that didn't. Mark's insane thought process particularly disturbed/grossed/shocked (all the adjectives) me. Anyways, there were some short stories I enjoyed more than others. Admittedly, the ones where the protagonists were younger likely because they were not as... gross as the adults. As I said, though, the writing is incredible. Reminiscent of J.D Salinger, Beller is able to situate the reader within the story and make us feel a part of it; even though I often did not want to be. Maybe that's the vibe he was going for. I probably wouldn't recommend it.

[Peter Zuppardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So little happens in these stories and still they work so well. Michael Silverblatt said of Ann Beattie that she wrote a new kind of story, one that was made up of collected rapture. This is how I feel about Thomas Beller's early stories. He collects the rapture of childhood, of living with your mother, of failing with women who are smarter than you are, and presents it in stunning language. I will reread this for a long, long time.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun compilation of short stories that take place in New York City and capture the male perspective of relationships. I particularly liked the progression of "Alex" from awkward adolescent to doom-awaiting adult.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing stories about New York City and growing up there. Recounting life as a young man and all the anxieties about the boy/girl dating thing. Stories about Alex alternate through unrelated stories. Really enjoyed.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Later day Salinger or more down to earth J.S. Foer? Or something entirely its own? Not sure yet, but it's good.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this collection when it was new--in the nineties--and it remains an impressive collection.

[Gretchen Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Really good collection of stories.

[Stevie Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little short stories, romantically written but not necessarily about romance, weaving in and out of the streets of New York City.