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Mr. Wrong: Real-Life Stories About the Men We Used to Love
“Don’t date this guy, he’s crazeeeee.”
–Diana Abu-Jabar, “Of Romance And Revolution”
Mr. Wrong is the tug behind your navel, the guy who lights you up like a Roman candle, the danger you can’t resist. And just about every woman, at some point in her life, has encountered one–or many.
Women everywhere will see themselves in these witty, wise, and entertaining personal essays by some of the literary world’s most accomplished and bestselling authors, including Jane Smiley, Audrey Niffennegger, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ntozake Shange, Roxana Robinson, Marge Piercy, and Ann Hood. Readers will delight in the array of Mr. Wrongs encountered in these pages–from harmless and charming to revolting and offensive–and ultimately relish the notion that even if we succumb to the temptation of an utterly reckless romance, we can emerge with our hearts intact.
By turns wry and heartfelt, lighthearted and redemptive, these insightful, uplifting real-life stories run the emotional gamut, from Whitney Otto’s satisfying tale of a Mr. Wrong who receives his comeuppance in an unexpected way, to Robin Westen’s steamy account of lust with a zen master, to Monika Ekk’s rueful “I Married a Wanker!” Some are hilarious, like Marion Winik’s “The Ten Most Wanted,” while others, like Catherine Texier’s “Russian Lessons,” take us to the dark side of love and longing.
For every prince charming there are a million frogs. If you’ve ever trusted a man you couldn’t trust, Mr. Wrong will make you laugh, cry, and shake your head in recognition at yourself and your friends.
–Diana Abu-Jabar, “Of Romance And Revolution”
Mr. Wrong is the tug behind your navel, the guy who lights you up like a Roman candle, the danger you can’t resist. And just about every woman, at some point in her life, has encountered one–or many.
Women everywhere will see themselves in these witty, wise, and entertaining personal essays by some of the literary world’s most accomplished and bestselling authors, including Jane Smiley, Audrey Niffennegger, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ntozake Shange, Roxana Robinson, Marge Piercy, and Ann Hood. Readers will delight in the array of Mr. Wrongs encountered in these pages–from harmless and charming to revolting and offensive–and ultimately relish the notion that even if we succumb to the temptation of an utterly reckless romance, we can emerge with our hearts intact.
By turns wry and heartfelt, lighthearted and redemptive, these insightful, uplifting real-life stories run the emotional gamut, from Whitney Otto’s satisfying tale of a Mr. Wrong who receives his comeuppance in an unexpected way, to Robin Westen’s steamy account of lust with a zen master, to Monika Ekk’s rueful “I Married a Wanker!” Some are hilarious, like Marion Winik’s “The Ten Most Wanted,” while others, like Catherine Texier’s “Russian Lessons,” take us to the dark side of love and longing.
For every prince charming there are a million frogs. If you’ve ever trusted a man you couldn’t trust, Mr. Wrong will make you laugh, cry, and shake your head in recognition at yourself and your friends.
- GenresShort StoriesNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2007
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 31, 2009
There was a great deal of variety in the stories about Mr. Wrong. I expected fluff and I got it, I expected something great from the writers' names I recognized when I picked this book up and I was disappointed. And then there were the few writers willing to dig into the places where love pools and leaves unsightly stains. There were only a few stories that said something interesting about love, insecurity, judgment and how an intelligent woman can get involved with the wrong man. Wrong not because he's impotent or a janitor or too cute - those are here too - but because making the choice to love another person at some point makes the author feel wrong, betrayed by herself and her judgement. My favorites were Joyce Maynard's Your Friend Always, Whitney Otto's Mr. Wrong Meets Mr. Wrong, Catherine Texier's Russian Lessons, Robin Weston's The Guru and Caroline Leavitt's My First Husband's Girlfriend and Me.
January 21, 2008
Quite humorous at times...it's like sampling different authors. I enjoyed the different stories..being disgusted, shaking my head in disbelief and yet totally believing it, and being reminded of my own and my friends' Mr. Wrongs.
Interestingly, there's a lot of mention of being in or from the Boston area (maybe because the dating scene here is so BLEAK!). I also found that a lot of the women were going thru rough or desperate or low-self-esteem moments, and it was just too easy to want 1 thing in their life to work out. But that doesn't excuse any of those guys from being all kinds of wrong in general.
It's a fun book to pick up in between more heavy reading.
Interestingly, there's a lot of mention of being in or from the Boston area (maybe because the dating scene here is so BLEAK!). I also found that a lot of the women were going thru rough or desperate or low-self-esteem moments, and it was just too easy to want 1 thing in their life to work out. But that doesn't excuse any of those guys from being all kinds of wrong in general.
It's a fun book to pick up in between more heavy reading.
February 20, 2014
I picked this up a few years ago at a garage sale or something, seeing it contained an essay by Audrey Niffenegger (author of my favorite -- The Time Traveler's Wife).
I finally read the two dozen or so short essays this week, as I thought it would be fun reading for Valentine's Day week. Pure froth -- but funny, disturbing, and entertaining froth (my favorite essay was by Joyce Maynard about her relationship via letters to an imprisoned convict). You have to wonder what were these intelligent, accomplished women thinking with dating some of these men? But I suppose it's true what they say, love is blind.
A good entertaining read, but certainly nothing lifechanging.
I finally read the two dozen or so short essays this week, as I thought it would be fun reading for Valentine's Day week. Pure froth -- but funny, disturbing, and entertaining froth (my favorite essay was by Joyce Maynard about her relationship via letters to an imprisoned convict). You have to wonder what were these intelligent, accomplished women thinking with dating some of these men? But I suppose it's true what they say, love is blind.
A good entertaining read, but certainly nothing lifechanging.
July 5, 2009
I had to change my rating for this book after admitting that what I was really put off by was how WRONG the Mr. wrong's in some of these stories were, not necessarily the book itself. I was disappointed when I brought the book with me on a flight to Oslo, forgetting that I had already started to read it and was disgusted by the first tale. But I figured I'd read on and skip the unbearable stuff. Do we really go SO low ladies? My sympathy for the ridiculousness we put ourselves through, and a good reminder of why one should be selective.
April 14, 2010
What I liked: That it made me feel a little less pathetic about my own dating history.
What I didn't like: Most of the stories were dull.
Final Thoughts: There were only two stories/essays that I actually enjoyed. I really can't recommend this collection.
What I didn't like: Most of the stories were dull.
Final Thoughts: There were only two stories/essays that I actually enjoyed. I really can't recommend this collection.
December 23, 2009
Reassuring is the key word here. If these 24 smart, accomplished women can go so far astray in search of love, then no wonder I've stumbled. I only wish I couldn't have written 24 Mr. Wrong essays all by myself.
May 11, 2007
Lots of different perspectives and tones expressed in this book - about a subject I think most of us gals are interested in! The authors are funny, sad, matter-of-fact etc. And it's a quick read.
August 19, 2007
I found it very entertaining, a lot of humor & a lot of insight from a variety of authors.
November 13, 2007
Spotty, with a few gems from talented writers, including Diana Abu-Jaber & Jane Smiley. No matter how bad you have it, it could be so much worse, as many of these stories show.
January 13, 2009
Fun to read. It made me feel better about the Mr. Wrongs I've had. Now I'd like to see Ms. Wrong.
May 13, 2009
Some great reflections on failed relationships, and the lessons the women learned from the men who did them wrong! Great, light reading when you just want to relax.
July 16, 2009
If you picked this book up than--> HE'S WRONG FOR YOU! Or he was wrong for you. Never look back, move forward, you deserve better! TRUST THAT!
Peace!
Peace!
April 30, 2017
Anyone who has been with a jerk needs to read this! It's humorous, honest, educational, and makes you feel like you are not the only one to be going through the same problematic people.
January 18, 2009
I"m the editor of this anthology, and a contributor to it as well.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews