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Decadence
A collection of essays, ranging from the personal to the humorously mundane, Decadence spans a decade in the life of writer Richard Kelly Kemick.
The subjects of these essays are far-ranging, including Christmas villages, volleyball, municipal landfills, high-school plays, and dog fur. They feature the same rotating cast of friends, family, Litia—Kemick’s partner of ten years—and their newborn son.
Throughout the course of Decadence, a narrative is gradually revealed. The collection begins with the early days of Kemick’s relationship with his long-time partner; the collection closes with the surprising, unconventional end to their romance. In the pages between, Kemick creates a repository of humour and epiphany that make up the odds and ends of living.
These essays are for fans of David Sedaris and David Rakoff. However, unlike the books published by these authors, Decadence puts on display the writer’s evolution. The contents, in chronological order, span the ten years it took Kemick to write this collection, revealing a gradual shift in his voice and priorities.
The subjects of these essays are far-ranging, including Christmas villages, volleyball, municipal landfills, high-school plays, and dog fur. They feature the same rotating cast of friends, family, Litia—Kemick’s partner of ten years—and their newborn son.
Throughout the course of Decadence, a narrative is gradually revealed. The collection begins with the early days of Kemick’s relationship with his long-time partner; the collection closes with the surprising, unconventional end to their romance. In the pages between, Kemick creates a repository of humour and epiphany that make up the odds and ends of living.
These essays are for fans of David Sedaris and David Rakoff. However, unlike the books published by these authors, Decadence puts on display the writer’s evolution. The contents, in chronological order, span the ten years it took Kemick to write this collection, revealing a gradual shift in his voice and priorities.
264 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Richard Kelly Kemick
7 books16 followersRichard Kelly Kemick’s poetry, prose, and criticism have been published in magazines and journals across Canada and the United States, including the Fiddlehead, the New Quarterly, and Tin House (Open Bar).
He has won the poetry prizes of both Grain magazine and Echolocation. He lives in Calgary.
He has won the poetry prizes of both Grain magazine and Echolocation. He lives in Calgary.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 24, 2026
A random find in a bookstore in St. Louis. Turns out, it was pre-release copy for a relatively small author. Who knew!
All in all, I quite enjoyed this essay collection. Kemick’s voice is strong and smart and he has a really good idea of what he wants to say. It was a breeze to read, and really provided some interesting insights.
The strongest essays were the very first one (great place to begin) and the ones post-2019. I feel like Kemick’s writing became more defined, and the personage sketched seemed a bit more mature and likable. There were moments in those middle stories where he came across a bit frustrating. But that’s just aging up, isn’t it.
Some of those middle essays struggled, in my view, in their ability to hook a reader and their overall cohesion. They just felt a bit more incomplete and unpolished. But when they felt complete and polished like the ones i’ve pointed out, they were really good.
I’m glad to have read and I did really enjoy. Something fun to distract from the other, less fun things I might be reading at a time. Thanks Leviathan in St. Louis 🙂
All in all, I quite enjoyed this essay collection. Kemick’s voice is strong and smart and he has a really good idea of what he wants to say. It was a breeze to read, and really provided some interesting insights.
The strongest essays were the very first one (great place to begin) and the ones post-2019. I feel like Kemick’s writing became more defined, and the personage sketched seemed a bit more mature and likable. There were moments in those middle stories where he came across a bit frustrating. But that’s just aging up, isn’t it.
Some of those middle essays struggled, in my view, in their ability to hook a reader and their overall cohesion. They just felt a bit more incomplete and unpolished. But when they felt complete and polished like the ones i’ve pointed out, they were really good.
I’m glad to have read and I did really enjoy. Something fun to distract from the other, less fun things I might be reading at a time. Thanks Leviathan in St. Louis 🙂
Review of advance copy
I got a finished copy of this book a little ahead of the publication date. Thank you to those friendly Canadians for getting it across the border.
This is a book of essays/short stories/memoir, or put more simply, the quirky life and observances of the author. It begins with Playing God, my favorite Christmas story ever that had me laughing so hard that I was either headed for a hernia or wearing a diaper.
There is a chronology here. Sometimes age leads to maturity, or possibly a new way to defy it. The gut busting humor can turn to new revelations that lead to personal reflection, or simple disbelief that someone could survive the journey. A partner. A dog. A baby.
And you, dear reader, may also conclude that you feel especially lucky not to have lived the same experiences. A toast for this gift of international kindness!
This is a book of essays/short stories/memoir, or put more simply, the quirky life and observances of the author. It begins with Playing God, my favorite Christmas story ever that had me laughing so hard that I was either headed for a hernia or wearing a diaper.
There is a chronology here. Sometimes age leads to maturity, or possibly a new way to defy it. The gut busting humor can turn to new revelations that lead to personal reflection, or simple disbelief that someone could survive the journey. A partner. A dog. A baby.
And you, dear reader, may also conclude that you feel especially lucky not to have lived the same experiences. A toast for this gift of international kindness!
Review of advance copy
Witty & insightful this memoir has a different feel to it than most. It’s a celebration of the quirky nature of life. Through a series of vignettes , Richard shares his observations on an array of topics and reminds the reader that the true nature of life is found in the unexpected.
My favorite quote:
“After all, what is family for other than to constantly disappoint you with their flawed attempts at taking an interest?”
-Richard Kelly Kemick
My favorite quote:
“After all, what is family for other than to constantly disappoint you with their flawed attempts at taking an interest?”
-Richard Kelly Kemick
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews