Today Is Not Your Day by Marian Thurm

by Marian Thurm

With her fourth collection, acclaimed short story writer Marian Thurm brings her darkly comic sense of humor to a memorable set of new characters—every one of whom is brought to vivid life under her sharply observant but always compassionate gaze. A divorcée is hit on by her philandering ex whose new wife is stricken with cancer. An untimely shattered knee complicates a man’s decision to dump his fiancée. A grieving widow is burdened by her daughter’s relationship troubles. A teenaged cancer survivor convinces her friends to go on a quest in search of her older crush. A Jewish man is shocked by his Catholic girlfriend’s reaction to visiting Auschwitz. Today is Not Your Day is Thurm at her best, capturing those breathtaking moments where life upends but also becomes painfully clear.

Genres: Short Stories, Contemporary

Paperback

First published October 1, 2015

Reviews

[Alice Shechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tales in this wonderful book by Marian Thurm represent everything you look for in short stories. Light but not slight, the characters haunt you the way those slightly oddball people you meet at parties do. You might not invite them home for dinner, but you can't forget them either. They gently illuminate the foolish, self deceiving, ever optimistic aspects of the human heart, not just the characters but your own. Ms. Thurm must be a great observer, and I don't know if she keeps notes on overheard conversations and scenes on the subway, but she hits the bulls eye in capturing exactly the right phrase or gesture that brings a character to life, living and breathing on the page. Great reading, but not heavy lifting. A thoughtful joy. I highly recommend!

[Daisy Alpert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous collection of stories, at times laugh out loud funny. Every character is beautifully drawn and realized, flawed and imperfect and absolutely lovable. I devoured these stories and was sorry to say goodbye to the world they described.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow and brooding these short stories get to the heart of what disappointments and glossed over issues can do over time to a relationship.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I've read other books by her and not liked them. This one was no different. If you're not a fan, it's not going to win you over.

[Jannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the stories themselves were written well and easy to read, I did not like how they were unfinished and left you not knowing how it all would end.

[Climbing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically don't like negative vibes. I love this book though. I like how all the sadness are poetic and so hidden in small things in daily life. I especially like the ending of the last story. All the stories are beautifully written and I will come back to read them again.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling collection of short stories written with humor, wit and a sharp eye, even if they do leave me wondering what happened next.

[ands · Rating 3 out of 5]

only things i understood are that she’s jewish, has a lot of respect for social workers and had someone fall out of love with her at some point

[Lynne Reeves Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore these emotionally-charged and memorable stories. Marion Thurm writes with a deft touch and has a great deal of insight into relationships--what makes us love and what makes us yearn for more connection. I highly recommend this beautiful collection of stories.

[Margerywieder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always liked her writing--nothing elegant or finely crafted, but she creates characters who seem real, foibles and all. Although few of the stories had neatly resolved endings, they all felt complete and satisfying to me.

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really shouldn't have read these all at once.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories always with a little twist a little detail to set them apart. Some seem awkward but it's because they are so true.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the writing but I'm just having to realize I prefer novels to books of short stories.