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Secretary
A writer engulfed by a new obsession, an occasional sex-worker, a runaway, a teenager entering the workplace: these four tales of desire and dislocation explore the rough edges of relationships and the inner lives of women negotiating their precarious place in the world. In these coolly compelling and quietly devastating stories, Gaitskill evokes with razor-sharp precision the pleasure, pain, fear and longing that haunt modern life.
- GenresFictionShort Stories
144 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2025
About the author
Mary Gaitskill
75 books1,605 followersMary Gaitskill is an American author of essays, short stories and novels. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, Esquire, The Best American Short Stories (1993 and 2006), and The O. Henry Prize Stories (1998). She married writer Peter Trachtenberg in 2001. As of 2005, she lived in New York City; Gaitskill has previously lived in Toronto, San Francisco, and Marin County, CA, as well as attending the University of Michigan where she earned her B.A. and won a Hopwood Award. Gaitskill has recounted (in her essay "Revelation") becoming a born-again Christian at age 21 but lapsing after six months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 30, 2025
There are big differences between the short story “secretary” and the 2002 movie in the way they interpreted each other’s and their own actions and intentions. The pinky scene is of great importance in the movie and the last phone call is important for the book. Overall, I loved this collection. In each short story you could detect a different object of desire.
August 4, 2025
A collection of bold, funky stories about unconventional city life in the '80s and '90s—like a darker version of Sex and the City. I really enjoyed the writing style and the pacing of the stories, though the endings sometimes felt a bit abrupt; just when I wanted to know more, they were over. But I guess that’s kind of the point of short stories, right? Anyway, I’d been meaning to read this collection because I love the movie Secretary, which is based on the short story of the same name… and I can’t lie, I liked the movie better (which feels like a deadly sin for someone who studied literature lol).
April 29, 2025
3.75 stars
Secretary was a captivating and thought-provoking collection of short stories that tackled the more taboo themes present in society. This short story collection is the perfect read if you are looking for something quick but reflective.
⭐⭐⭐.75
Trying to Be was an engaging and reflective story. This story was a good start to this collection, and the perspective was intriguing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Dentist, okay, Jill's obsession with George was a tad creepy. However, it was fascinating to read the perspective of a woman perpetrator who displays this type of obsessive behaviour.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Secretary, the titular story, was my favourite in this collection. This story was engaging and thought-provoking. It did include strong themes of sexual assault, but it was interesting to see how Mary Gaitskill handled this theme in her writing with an honest reflection of how society deals with this type of abuse.
⭐⭐⭐
Because They Wanted To wasn't the best in this collection, but it wasn't terrible either. The story had felt a little unfinished, but it was interesting to see how Gairskill handled the themes of abuse, family dynamics and voyeurism. However, it is hard not to compare this story to the first three, and when comparing it, it felt like it lacked something.
Secretary was a captivating and thought-provoking collection of short stories that tackled the more taboo themes present in society. This short story collection is the perfect read if you are looking for something quick but reflective.
⭐⭐⭐.75
Trying to Be was an engaging and reflective story. This story was a good start to this collection, and the perspective was intriguing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Dentist, okay, Jill's obsession with George was a tad creepy. However, it was fascinating to read the perspective of a woman perpetrator who displays this type of obsessive behaviour.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Secretary, the titular story, was my favourite in this collection. This story was engaging and thought-provoking. It did include strong themes of sexual assault, but it was interesting to see how Mary Gaitskill handled this theme in her writing with an honest reflection of how society deals with this type of abuse.
⭐⭐⭐
Because They Wanted To wasn't the best in this collection, but it wasn't terrible either. The story had felt a little unfinished, but it was interesting to see how Gairskill handled the themes of abuse, family dynamics and voyeurism. However, it is hard not to compare this story to the first three, and when comparing it, it felt like it lacked something.
September 5, 2025
i have to read more gaitskill
January 5, 2026
someone here has described this as a darker version of Sex and the City and I couldn’t agree more
July 14, 2025
Striking short stories that seems to revolve around similar questions about women's relationship to men. Gaitskill looks at the vulnerability of young women, and the dichotomy between their perception of themselves, and others perceptions of them. It's an interesting introduction to her work, particularly as all of these stories include very violent or dangerous sex, and Gaitskill's women characters all struggle to have any sense of self worth, or to know if they can have boundaries. Her insights are often apt, but across the four stories I began to lose heart, as they are so grim.
July 14, 2025
I thought this was a thought provoking short story, that is quite restrained in its descriptive details leaving a lot of blanks and questions. I don’t think this is to the detriment of the text, it allows diverse interpretations of all the characters.
I LOVE the movie, which I think is an excellent adaptation of this text. It does not follow the story exactly but I think builds upon it to explore one of the diverse interpretations.
Apparently there is a sequel or some sort which I’m interested to check out.
(Using this to log Secretary story only)
I LOVE the movie, which I think is an excellent adaptation of this text. It does not follow the story exactly but I think builds upon it to explore one of the diverse interpretations.
Apparently there is a sequel or some sort which I’m interested to check out.
(Using this to log Secretary story only)
June 2, 2026
Really enjoyed this, I think all these short stories go pretty well together. Themes of desire, sex work, masochism, women navigating their place in the world. Really sharp and observational.
My favourite story was The Dentist because it’s about that part in a new relationship where the fantasy hasn’t quite caught up to the reality yet and there’s lots of obsessive wondering about how the other person feels or what ‘it’ is.
Surprised how different ‘Secretary’ is compared to the film adaptation. Think I prefer the film as it gives her more agency.
My favourite story was The Dentist because it’s about that part in a new relationship where the fantasy hasn’t quite caught up to the reality yet and there’s lots of obsessive wondering about how the other person feels or what ‘it’ is.
Surprised how different ‘Secretary’ is compared to the film adaptation. Think I prefer the film as it gives her more agency.
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October 9, 2025I don't give short stories enough credit. This was really engaging. Gaitskill draws such a vivid picture of everyday life with striking similes and that really stood out to me!!
"as if they (stories) were exquisite silk prints that she fluttered before Jill's eyes "
"For days she cherished this fantasy, even as it faded like a favourite rough spot on the inside of her mouth"
"as if they (stories) were exquisite silk prints that she fluttered before Jill's eyes "
"For days she cherished this fantasy, even as it faded like a favourite rough spot on the inside of her mouth"
November 21, 2025
A good collection of short stories, my favourite being the first “trying to be” my least favourite being the last “because they wanted too” purely because I want to know what happened to the mother and why she was late or if she ever turned up at home at all. If you’re trying to get back into reading these penguin archive books are the best way to go about it.
July 31, 2026
All stories in this collection were beautifully composed. I was surprised and slightly disillusioned by the sheer difference between the movie Secretary and the short story but Mary Gaitskill is amazing either way and it’s what I deserve for watching the film first
May 9, 2025
the movie is WAYYYYY better, but I loved the dentist story, and secretary wasn’t bad at all
September 19, 2026
a solid 3.5 i love mary gaitskill’s writing, because it makes me feel like she along with all her characters could be diagnosed with OCD.
November 30, 2025
The collection could almost be an intellectual beach read, clear writing and salacious. But I’m not motivated to keep reading sad stories about various kinds of suburban/middle class-adjacent abused women. Maybe this was more culturally important in the 80s
September 21, 2025
not bad, i guess? need to read more mary gaitskill now.
July 16, 2026
I enjoyed this and thought it was an interesting collection of shorts exploring different themes of intimacy. I really enjoyed the first two stories particularly and the fourth was probably my least favorite.
Trying to Be I found to be such an interesting exploration of power dynamics and projection within casual relationships. The manic pixie dreamgirlification of the narrator by her client almost started as this voluntary power exchange in her own quest to be “different”. But as the dynamic unfurled I think that the connection only revealed itself more and more to be this transactional illusion rather than some “bohemian fantasy”. I thought the description of their final interactions to be quite a beautiful recollection of knowing when something is ending but not quite acknowledging it mutually, very bittersweet.
The Dentist was probably my favorite of the collection. I feel like limerance is such an underrepresented trope or at least it usually isn’t done very well. But I think this really hit the nail on the head of showing the perspective of becoming completely enthralled with your own creation of who someone is. This made me reflect a lot on attachment on how the brain can get addicted to the idea of something so much so that it becomes detached from reality. The completely delusional drawing of conclusions on these motivations behind the dentists actions were so interesting to unpack and I feel like the journey of discovering what was or wasn’t true from the unreliable narration was so good. Even the battle between her friends advice versus her therapist really solidifies that therapy really is only as useful as you are self aware… The phone call where the narrator trauma dumps on the dentist to create some sense of false security I thought was such a powerful way to depict how far the brain will go to validate or force some kind of perceived connection. I would love an adaptation of this through the perspective of the dentist.
The Secretary was much shorter than I was expecting. I have not seen the movie (yet) so I am looking forward to comparing it to the source material. On its surface, I think this was quite well done but I do think I would have enjoyed it to be a bit longer. The exploration of power dynamics and shame started to really touch on something that most “freaky” media doesn’t execute well at all. The idea of her both being disgusted, scared, and insanely turned on by this random lawyer was so tangible and honestly relatable. The only thing that confused me was why she didn’t go back for more tbh and I wish the plot had some more time to develop/push further
Because They Wanted To was a bit of a drag for me. I think following the more subversive plot lines with essentially a babysitter’s day in the life just was never going to draw me in. There were some good moments and the storyline about running away from home and this sense of desperation was interesting- but there was just too much fluff of her taking care of those kids.
Overall a good read!
Trying to Be I found to be such an interesting exploration of power dynamics and projection within casual relationships. The manic pixie dreamgirlification of the narrator by her client almost started as this voluntary power exchange in her own quest to be “different”. But as the dynamic unfurled I think that the connection only revealed itself more and more to be this transactional illusion rather than some “bohemian fantasy”. I thought the description of their final interactions to be quite a beautiful recollection of knowing when something is ending but not quite acknowledging it mutually, very bittersweet.
The Dentist was probably my favorite of the collection. I feel like limerance is such an underrepresented trope or at least it usually isn’t done very well. But I think this really hit the nail on the head of showing the perspective of becoming completely enthralled with your own creation of who someone is. This made me reflect a lot on attachment on how the brain can get addicted to the idea of something so much so that it becomes detached from reality. The completely delusional drawing of conclusions on these motivations behind the dentists actions were so interesting to unpack and I feel like the journey of discovering what was or wasn’t true from the unreliable narration was so good. Even the battle between her friends advice versus her therapist really solidifies that therapy really is only as useful as you are self aware… The phone call where the narrator trauma dumps on the dentist to create some sense of false security I thought was such a powerful way to depict how far the brain will go to validate or force some kind of perceived connection. I would love an adaptation of this through the perspective of the dentist.
The Secretary was much shorter than I was expecting. I have not seen the movie (yet) so I am looking forward to comparing it to the source material. On its surface, I think this was quite well done but I do think I would have enjoyed it to be a bit longer. The exploration of power dynamics and shame started to really touch on something that most “freaky” media doesn’t execute well at all. The idea of her both being disgusted, scared, and insanely turned on by this random lawyer was so tangible and honestly relatable. The only thing that confused me was why she didn’t go back for more tbh and I wish the plot had some more time to develop/push further
Because They Wanted To was a bit of a drag for me. I think following the more subversive plot lines with essentially a babysitter’s day in the life just was never going to draw me in. There were some good moments and the storyline about running away from home and this sense of desperation was interesting- but there was just too much fluff of her taking care of those kids.
Overall a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2026
A little disappointed, mainly because I watched the movie first. Which, I think most reviews here also did. The movie (my favorite) is a far more, fully fleshed out idea than this short story was. Given, yes, it's exactly that, a short story, but it kind of brushes over fine details, descriptions and insight, especially from the Debbie's boss.
I think this is the very rare occasion where the movie is better than it's source material, even though the movie would not exist without it's source material. I also like and prefer the descriptions of the characters in the movie than over the book as well.
There's a few lines from the book that are verbatim in the movie which was nice.
There's a particular part in the short story that was changed for the movie, which I also prefer. In the film, the line is, "You're not worried that I'm going to fuck you, are you?" In the book, a different word is used... which was kind of polarizing.
In the film of course, Debbie/Lee and her boss are a little more familiarized, and have more routine, a little more connection, so the way it's worded in the book, wouldn't apply and the movie version fits better.
Trying to keep this review more about the book than the film but, if you're like me and watched the film first and then you're coming to read this, it will be a little lackluster. The movie goes further into the dynamics, psychology and romance between the two. The story kind of mainly and only focuses on Lee/Debbie and goes through the motions of what happens.
I think this is the very rare occasion where the movie is better than it's source material, even though the movie would not exist without it's source material. I also like and prefer the descriptions of the characters in the movie than over the book as well.
There's a few lines from the book that are verbatim in the movie which was nice.
There's a particular part in the short story that was changed for the movie, which I also prefer. In the film, the line is, "You're not worried that I'm going to fuck you, are you?" In the book, a different word is used... which was kind of polarizing.
In the film of course, Debbie/Lee and her boss are a little more familiarized, and have more routine, a little more connection, so the way it's worded in the book, wouldn't apply and the movie version fits better.
Trying to keep this review more about the book than the film but, if you're like me and watched the film first and then you're coming to read this, it will be a little lackluster. The movie goes further into the dynamics, psychology and romance between the two. The story kind of mainly and only focuses on Lee/Debbie and goes through the motions of what happens.
September 30, 2026
Really fantastic little collection of short stories.
Written kind of erotica-style (and all sexual in some way) but not truly erotic works.
Depressing themes, and amazingly written, so I feel like they should feel more demoralising — but kind of just leave you thinking: ‘Yes, that’s life! Isn’t it a pity.’
The first story (‘Trying to be’) felt uncomfortably close to home… I feel a little too understood by the character. I feel like that one and ‘Secretary’ were the best written, and felt like they were the most authentic and closest to the authors own experience, but that may just be me projecting…
***
“She wanted her thoughts to be tender and kind, like they had been the first time she thought of him. But they weren’t.”
***
Meanwhile, someone made the argument that it would be awful if the “mainstream“ ever came to truly accept whatever anybody might want to do sexually, because then sex wouldn’t be shocking anymore.
“That won’t ever happen,“ said Jill. “Sex is too complicated, it means too many things to people. It connects them to the dirt within, and there’s just too much dirt.“
“You’re wrong,“ said the television producer. “It’s already happened, in San Francisco anyway.”
Written kind of erotica-style (and all sexual in some way) but not truly erotic works.
Depressing themes, and amazingly written, so I feel like they should feel more demoralising — but kind of just leave you thinking: ‘Yes, that’s life! Isn’t it a pity.’
The first story (‘Trying to be’) felt uncomfortably close to home… I feel a little too understood by the character. I feel like that one and ‘Secretary’ were the best written, and felt like they were the most authentic and closest to the authors own experience, but that may just be me projecting…
***
“She wanted her thoughts to be tender and kind, like they had been the first time she thought of him. But they weren’t.”
***
Meanwhile, someone made the argument that it would be awful if the “mainstream“ ever came to truly accept whatever anybody might want to do sexually, because then sex wouldn’t be shocking anymore.
“That won’t ever happen,“ said Jill. “Sex is too complicated, it means too many things to people. It connects them to the dirt within, and there’s just too much dirt.“
“You’re wrong,“ said the television producer. “It’s already happened, in San Francisco anyway.”
May 30, 2025
3.75 ⭐ I really enjoyed the first three short stories. They portraied sex and humans in such a realistic matter-of-fact way that paired with Gaitskills writing made them really enjoyable. Especially her writing style is just fantastic.
I have to say though, I expected a bit more of "Secretary" as I know the film and therefore expected it to be a bit longer and more intense plot-wise. The film seems to differ quite a lot from the inspiration, still I enjoyed it.
I didn't really like the last short story, I couldn't really get a feel for the main character. To me it felt like she was lacking charcter depth, that was evident in the first three main characters.
Still, it was a very nice collection of short stories that harmonized well with each other. I can only recommend ;)
I have to say though, I expected a bit more of "Secretary" as I know the film and therefore expected it to be a bit longer and more intense plot-wise. The film seems to differ quite a lot from the inspiration, still I enjoyed it.
I didn't really like the last short story, I couldn't really get a feel for the main character. To me it felt like she was lacking charcter depth, that was evident in the first three main characters.
Still, it was a very nice collection of short stories that harmonized well with each other. I can only recommend ;)
January 6, 2026
I initially was interested in picking this up for the titular short story because the film adaptation of Secretary is one of my favourites. But surprisingly, it ended up being my least favourite story of the four in this collection. Mary Gaitskill does such a great job of pulling you straight into each story. I felt connected to these characters within the first page, which is almost all I can ask for in a short story. Wonderful! I’m looking forward to reading more from Gaitskill, I definitely recommend this!
December 30, 2025
‘I felt a numbness; I felt that I could never have a normal conversation with anyone again.’
This collection felt like the kiss of life to me, each story was so refreshing and interesting and I am totally enamoured with how Mary Gaitskill writes her protagonists and the little worlds they inhabit. It also shocked me how different the titular story is to its movie adaptation, not at all in a bad way though! Would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a quick yet complex read.
This collection felt like the kiss of life to me, each story was so refreshing and interesting and I am totally enamoured with how Mary Gaitskill writes her protagonists and the little worlds they inhabit. It also shocked me how different the titular story is to its movie adaptation, not at all in a bad way though! Would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a quick yet complex read.
July 23, 2025
This felt like someone was whispering secrets I didn't want to know, directly into my ear. I will now be taking a cold shower and retreating back into my Anthony Bourdain biography.
Also thanks to the film, every character in every story had the face of either Maggie Gyllenhaal or James Spader. I’m not proud of this. But it happened.
Also thanks to the film, every character in every story had the face of either Maggie Gyllenhaal or James Spader. I’m not proud of this. But it happened.
February 23, 2026
these were great short stories. this was my first time reading gaitskill and i feel immensely inspired by her writing style — sharp, a little threadbare — which is what i always love. i liked how modern these stories felt despite being written in the 80s. the titular story, ‘secretary’, was unfortunately the shortest of the bunch. my favourite was ‘because they wanted to’.
August 12, 2026
I have not read all the short stories yet but I just wanted to share that if you decide too read this because you're a fan of the 2002 film Secretary I wouldn't advise it. While I enjoyed both, the tones are completely different and although I'm a fan i believe the films interpretation is a far cry from Gaitskill's original work.
June 12, 2025
present from anna. she read it after finishing her finals and said it’s all about “single women working jobs”. perfect. watched the piano teacher recently though and combined with this, i feel like the world has been very perverse lately. need a new summer vibe 😭
July 17, 2025
Ironically picked this up to read The Secretary and ended up enjoying it the least…. Note it is not quite like the movie!
Great collection though & explores desire brilliantly… The Dentist and Trying to Be were my favs
Great collection though & explores desire brilliantly… The Dentist and Trying to Be were my favs
January 20, 2026
A compilation of four short stories that give an insight as to how four women got into bad situations later in life. I felt for each of them, in so few pages the author quickly provided a backstory as well as their current mental state that informs their decisions. Interesting read.
February 5, 2026
4.5 stars.
Quietly beautiful slice-of-life stories about connection, loneliness, and ephemeral moments of touching another person's life. My personal favorite was Because They Wanted To, followed closely by The Dentist.
Quietly beautiful slice-of-life stories about connection, loneliness, and ephemeral moments of touching another person's life. My personal favorite was Because They Wanted To, followed closely by The Dentist.
May 18, 2025
3,5/5
Really liked the first 3 stories, 4th one was rather disappointing.
Really liked the first 3 stories, 4th one was rather disappointing.
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June 23, 2025mary gaitskill i lov u
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews