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MY DATE WITH SATAN: Stories
In this collection of short stories the voices are various, from how a schoolgirl copes with having her face slashed open with a razor by her best friend, to the teacher who is scoring drugs from her pupils and finding the whole thing is getting dangerously out of hand.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 30, 2008
The cover may raise some eyebrows as well as other parts of the body on some, but this collection of short stories is hipster chick lit. Sometimes funny, usually dark, and always written in first person, it feels like it was written by the witty smart person in my circle or dare I say "generation". The author is a local Tucsonan who just put out another collection of ss called Twin Study: Stories that I will definitely read. The last story of My Date with Satan, Prodigy of Longing, was probably my favorite. It had to do with a genius boy who had a crazy step mom who believed in aliens (Scientologist?) and his crush on the pot smoking motorcycle dude who lived next door. I may not understand why her quirky characters make the choices they make, but I still related to them even if their circumstances are quite absurd.
June 9, 2007
The most unfortunate thing about this book is that the chick who wrote it is amazing at first lines. The first lines of her stories are ALL killer. And as a writer, I know how hard it is to get that perfect first sentence.
The rest of the stories drag on for what seems like years. You're reading and thinking to yourself, "I thought this was a collection of SHORT STORIES and you realize that, yeah, you've only read eight pages... but it felt like twenty and you haven't really gone anywhere. I'm probably being too harsh because she definitely has her moments, but I would be a liar if I said I didn't put it down and not finish it in a fit of rage.
And you know who can't get a book deal? Yours truly! So upsetting. Hey, I bought her book; guess the joke's on me.
The rest of the stories drag on for what seems like years. You're reading and thinking to yourself, "I thought this was a collection of SHORT STORIES and you realize that, yeah, you've only read eight pages... but it felt like twenty and you haven't really gone anywhere. I'm probably being too harsh because she definitely has her moments, but I would be a liar if I said I didn't put it down and not finish it in a fit of rage.
And you know who can't get a book deal? Yours truly! So upsetting. Hey, I bought her book; guess the joke's on me.
October 13, 2018
Fantastic blend of humor and sincerity. Favorites include 'An Island of Boyfriends', 'Sally's Story', 'Rules For Being Human', and 'A Prodigy of Longing'.
January 30, 2018
bizarre but so boring that i decided to not read the last 3 or so stories
highlights include: “the beauty treatment” “my date with satan” “the first men” and “rats eat cats”
highlights include: “the beauty treatment” “my date with satan” “the first men” and “rats eat cats”
June 4, 2007
Really, really cool short stories. Richter does an amazing job capturing the POVs of her bizarre, fucked up characters; their voices are remarkably distinct and the prose is lively. Richter reminds me somewhat of Aimee Bender or Kelly Link, although I think I may have actually enjoyed these stories more; they had a tighter narrative structure than either Bender's or Link's work, whose stories (the latter's in particular) sometimes leave me going, "What was that actually ABOUT?" Which is not to say Richter's dumbing it down—there is simply a clarity to her presentation and purpose. I loved both the tragic, heart-wrenching stories, like "The Beauty Treatment," and the ebullient, ridiculous ones—"Goal 666" and "Rats Eat Cats" are two of my favorites in the collection.
March 26, 2011
So not every story blew my socks off, but it's still a really interesting book. Richter takes on some very odd situations, and the psychology of her characters is fascinating. Almost every sentence is meaningful or has an interesting turn of phrase. There may be a few flabby bits here and there, but overall the stories are strangely compelling.
I picked this book up after reading her story with the cavemen in The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror anthology (1999 or 2000 edition). That's a really good story, but it's not in this book. Too bad her second book isn't available at my library. You gotta wonder why she isn't more popular, since she's won the Pushcart something like 4 times. Strange.
The stories I liked the best were probably "Goal 666" and "A Prodigy of Longing". Also "Rats Eat Cats" and "Rules for Being Human" were pretty cool.
This book is good read for anybody who's looking to mix things up a little. Lots of sex and drugs, so not for the faint of heart.
I picked this book up after reading her story with the cavemen in The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror anthology (1999 or 2000 edition). That's a really good story, but it's not in this book. Too bad her second book isn't available at my library. You gotta wonder why she isn't more popular, since she's won the Pushcart something like 4 times. Strange.
The stories I liked the best were probably "Goal 666" and "A Prodigy of Longing". Also "Rats Eat Cats" and "Rules for Being Human" were pretty cool.
This book is good read for anybody who's looking to mix things up a little. Lots of sex and drugs, so not for the faint of heart.
March 31, 2008
Funny, wacky series of stories about all the characters you see walking down the street or on TV but never get to know. It almost feels like watching a series of reality TV shows: "I Want To Be A Death Metal Rocker;" "I Was A Private School Princess:" "I Was A Child Star."
Some of the stories are hilarious, some have unexpectedly poignant endings. But it can be hit-or-miss. I hated "Rules for Being Human." Not because it is gruesome but because the writing falls slack. Richter wants to embrace those on the edges of human society, but when she starts to show the innate humanity of disembodied limbs and innards...sorry. You lost me.
Some of the stories are hilarious, some have unexpectedly poignant endings. But it can be hit-or-miss. I hated "Rules for Being Human." Not because it is gruesome but because the writing falls slack. Richter wants to embrace those on the edges of human society, but when she starts to show the innate humanity of disembodied limbs and innards...sorry. You lost me.
July 1, 2009
I am NOT a fan of the short story genre, but I LOVED Stacey Richter's collection. WOW. Some of the stand-out stories include: The Beauty Treatment, about a teenage girl who slashes her best friend across the face with a razor. An Island of Boyfriends is about a girl who is stranded on an island with a primitive all-male clan. Rats Eat Cats details the love story of Rat Boy and Cat Lady. A Prodigy of Longing tells the story of a 11-year old boy with a special gift. Each story in this collection is fabulous, introspective, and human. Read it!
August 2, 2011
I really, really liked this. It's strange, yes, but not TOO strange for me at all (of course, I read some seriously bizarre stuff). I either didn't realize or had forgotten it was a collection of short stories so that was a bit of a surprise, though a pleasant one. I've read a few anthologies lately and this was easily my favourite. Some stories made me laugh out loud, some made me melancholy, some did both. Definitely a great look into the darker side of society -- some of which, I must admit, I have a passing familiarity with. I'll be on the lookout for more by her.
May 4, 2007
Always good, especially when you're a pop culture junkie. READ! The romance between a "cat lady" and a "rat boy"! READ! "The Island of Boyfriends!" READ! "My date with Satan", fresh out of the chatroom! READ! A wash-up teen idol and what the hell he is doing in at a flea market!
No seriously, this author is quite creative. I picked this up randomly some years ago and have had it lodged in my mind since.
No seriously, this author is quite creative. I picked this up randomly some years ago and have had it lodged in my mind since.
March 7, 2008
I absolutely loved this collection of cheeky, smart, wise-cracking and snotty little stories. I don't know what happened to Stacy Richter but I wish she'd come back. I've searched for more of her work, but I haven't found anything. She's very contemporary and quirky...there are lots of losers and people who are trying to be cool, but can't quite make connections, and then become bitter or angry or frustrated as a result.
September 26, 2011
Best collection of short stories that I have read in a hot damn minute. This book makes me wish I was teaching a freshman level 101/301 Intro to Creative Writing course so I could assign "Rats eat Cats" or "The Beauty Treatment" and blow a bunch of little freshman minds with how amazing fucking words are.
June 26, 2007
Stacey Richter's short story collection is a must read, especially her brilliant, Cavemen in the Hedges. Don't be surprised if you recognize yourself in her twisted, damaged, and ultimately sympathetic characters.
July 26, 2007
i cannot stress enough how good every sentence in this collection is. richter believes in sentence-level rhetoric, and so do i. and of course they're all really amusing, insightful parables of our silly, empty world.
December 13, 2007
Oh my God! So many amazing short stories! What a talent! I practically read this book in one sitting. There's so many good things to say about these stories I'm overwhelmed by where to start. Guess I'll just leave it with the glowing review suggested by my humble words.
March 9, 2008
A really fine piece of american fiction. Richter captures pieces of an american life shared by people my age - late thirties to early 40s, trying to cope with the emerging issues of maturity, fidelity, parenthood, armed only with lessons learned from Loverboy and Journey.
July 18, 2010
A few wonderful stories ("The Beauty Treatment," "The First Men," "Prodigy of Longing") in with some good ones ("Goodnight," "Goal 666") and some mediocre ones ("Sally's Story"). Overall, a good read.
August 21, 2007
I love Stacey Richter. And this is why. Unusual and sometimes fantastical stories: best read as a collection.
February 5, 2008
one of my favorite books of short stories ever!
April 11, 2008
some of these stories are incredible. some of them are skip-worthy.
April 18, 2008
hysterical
April 22, 2008
The title says it all. Also enjoyed the story of Rats eat Cats. . . its been awhile since I read this one. I should read it again.
May 4, 2008
A+ Wonderful!
July 4, 2010
Richter writes with the cool elegance and fearless wit many young writers envy.
These stories are original, varied, sexy and gut-busting.
These stories are original, varied, sexy and gut-busting.
December 24, 2011
Awe.Some. A collection of short stories that have some features of magical realism. Strikingly modern, especially when describing a certain kind of alienation from one's own feelings.
March 29, 2013
Love Richter's work! Witty and dark, it was hard to pace myself and keep from tearing through one story after the next.
October 7, 2015
Totally weird yet completely engrossing short stories. Beyond worth reading, particularly if you're interested in the human experience.
May 25, 2013
A fun series of portraits. Sassy. Laughs. Dig.
October 5, 2014
This was a strange collection of stories about people living at the fringes of society. It is fairly gritty and depressing but I enjoyed it anyways. Maybe just because it DID move me emotionally.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews