A History of Heartache

by Patrick Strickland

From a celebrated journalist, and rooted in our rich tradition of regional short fiction reminiscent of Breece D'J Pancake and Flannery O'Connor, comes a searing story collection set in north Texas that's as vivid and character-driven as his reportage . . .

Loosely inspired by the 1996 heroin epidemic in the grittier suburbs of Dallas, this gripping collection of short stories — many published previously in leading literary journals — are intimate, honest, and character-driven, and don't shy away from difficult themes.

From protagonists struggling with the effects of alcoholism and unemployment, to neo-Nazi skinheads in Dallas, to conspiracy theories, these various colorful characters are depicted with clear-eyed compassion, as well as moments of resilience and even humor, as they work their way to a transcendence of their current, very American, very Texan, situation.

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Patrick Strickland is a fiction writer and journalist from Texas. He's the author of several nonfiction books about borders and the far right and the short story collection A History of Heartache. He was a 2024 de Groot Foundation Writer of Note.

Reviews

[Annaliese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories illustrates tough topics surrounding Texan small towns and down-and-out characters: drug abuse (especially heroin), homelessness, economic recession, crime, etc. Strickland does a good job of creating a central tension or plight that plucks the reader's heartstrings, no matter how terrible a person for whom the pity is felt. This gets to the core of Strickland's stories: harsh circumstances create harsh people, and many characters in these stories either harden over time or are raised to be that way. The author creates raw scenes and characterization very well.

One criticism I have of this collection is that some of the stories start to feel one-note: many of the plights of the characters have similar features, such as dead sibling/drug addiction/run-down home; then the stories all start to blur together a bit. However, I did enjoy the way many characters reappeared from story to story, especially Coach Tarp.

I wouldn't recommend this collection to people who shy away from stories of drug abuse, domestic/familial abuse, animal abuse... pretty much any 'abuse' in the book. I personally struggled most with the story "Dead Cats" for reasons that are evident from the title alone (should've skipped this one). In light of these negatives, there is still no doubt that these short stories are well-written, and I'm glad I requested the ARC at the last minute.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley and Melville House in exchange for an honest review.

[John Waites · Rating 5 out of 5]

A History of Heartache isn’t loud about what it’s doing—but it gets under your skin anyway.

We’re in small-town Texas, moving through lives that feel worn down before they even really start. A janitor haunted—literally—by his dead wife. Sons left behind by fathers who never planned to stay. Women caught in relationships that slowly close in on them. Everyone trying, in their own way, to outrun something that doesn’t let go.

None of it feels exaggerated. That’s what makes it hit harder. The stories are stripped back, almost quiet, but there’s this constant weight underneath them. Grief. Anger. Loneliness. It all just sits there, heavy.

What really stuck with me is how clearly these characters are drawn. You understand them—even when they’re making choices you wish they wouldn’t. It never feels forced. Just real people, shaped by where they’re from and what they’ve been through.

It’s bleak, yeah. But it’s also incredibly sharp. Every story lands exactly where it needs to.

haunting in the way real life can be, when no one’s coming to save you.

[Onceuponaplace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A History of Heartache left me sitting with a pretty heavy feeling overall, even if I didn’t always notice it building while reading.
It’s set in small-town Texas, and everything feels worn down in a way that comes across as completely unforced; what struck me most was how understated it all is. Nothing is pushed too hard; you’re just following ordinary lives that slowly reveal how much weight they’re carrying.
Some of the characters stayed with me more than I expected. Even when they made choices I didn’t fully understand or agree with, they still felt grounded and believable, like people shaped by circumstance rather than plot.
There’s also this interesting mix of bleakness and dark humour that occasionally breaks through, which I wasn’t always prepared for but appreciated.
It doesn’t try to soften anything too much or offer an easy resolution.
In the end, it’s a collection that feels very real, maybe even uncomfortably so, and it tends to stay in your mind longer than you expect.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut fiction collection from Patrick Strickland is remarkable. Set in the DFW Metroplex in the (mostly) early 21st century, these stories are short, but the characters are richly defined, and you care about them instantly. Often told in first person narratives, the characters in these tales are working class people who are (barely) navigating through a world saturated with hand-to-mouth poverty, addiction, troubled relationships, and unrealistic patriarchal tropes that stunt their options and abilities. That sounds grim, but Strickland masterfully weaves dry humor and hope into his plotlines, so by the end of the book, you feel redeemed, rather than resigned. That may sound strange, but the throughline of "A History of Heartache" is a series of protagonists (often the same one?) who have enough perspective and smarts to eventually move from surviving to thriving. I like to believe that, anyway. You have to read this collection. When you do, you'll understand that this is the first of what I hope will be many from an important new voice in literary fiction.

[NIKOLAOS PALAIOLOGOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories to keep you stuck on these pages. Each sentence paints a picture, a skill that Strickland has developed more than most through the years of his journalist writings, a gritty and yet nostalgic painting of 90s' Texas. Can't wait for the next one!

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastically vivid and well-plotted set of short stories that builds its characters quite effectively and dives deeply into what makes them who they are. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Renato Albieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. Captivating stories. Takes me back to my roots from last week. Highly recommend!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read. Gritty authentic and reflective on life experiences. If you’re looking for some short stories that dare you to think I’d recommend it.

[Adrianne Kalfopoulou]

This is an excellent, gritty fiction debut by a young, accomplished journalist. Strickland will do amazing work, I'm convinced. Stay tuned.

[Evgenia Chorou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark with juxtapositions that cause laughter, these stories will take you to the reality of the South, full of every-day heroes that try to make it through life. Author manages to bring to life the scenes and settings by not using too many words, just enough to make you feel what the atmosphere feels like.