Things That Pass for Love

by Allison Amend

An incisive, poignant, often hilarious look at contemporary relationships, Allison Amend's much-anticipated Things That Pass for Love eschews the familiar dating scene in favor of portrayals of fractured families, urban schools, small towns, book clubs, cults, academia, golf culture, and--yes--sex in modern life. A teacher struggles to bond with jaded students as bodies drop from the sky; a man meets his illegitimate son for an awkward pumpkin picking excursion; a professor develops a sexual obsession with the student destined to surpass him; and a female cyberotica writer looks for conventionality in the form of a suitor who may be in love with her dog. Whether writing about a small town murder, homeschooling, experiments on lab mice, or the disintegration of a long marriage over the course of a golf game, Amend's characters are more than whip-smart and laugh-out-loud funny, they are chillingly real, memorable people looking for love--or what passes for it.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Short Story Collection

223 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Allison Amend was born in Chicago on a day when the Cubs beat the Mets 2-0. She attended Stanford University and holds an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. Her work has received awards from and appeared in One Story, Black Warrior Review, StoryQuarterly, Bellevue Literary Review, the Atlantic Monthly, Prairie Schooner and Other Voices, among other publications. Her debut short story collection, Things That Pass for Love, was published in October 2008 by OV Books. Visit her on the web at www.allisonamend.com."

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid book of stories of quirky people.... If I spent nights (and I probably have) wishing that Lorrie Moore would write the kind of books she used to, this would be an answer to those wishes.

Really, I think these stories are a little more edgy (exhibit a would be the repeated references to gerbils in anal cavities), but the premise is similar-- mostly people in relationships with weird problems delivered in a tart and matter of fact voice. It doesn't break as much ground as I thought it would when I started reading it, and it sort of circles in on itself eventually, so that you find the territory she covers less broad than you thought, but it remains a really solid collection, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Nice design, too. Someday I'll be tired or paperbacks with flaps, but not today.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that talk about what it is like to be in love, or what we think is love, in the real world. There is no cinematic finishes or dramatic reveals, just people attempting to connect to one another, what it's like when it succeeds and what it's like when it fails. I, personally, am a huge fan of the happily ever after trope, but I really appreciate the wonderful writing and the craftsmanship of these short stories.

[Kenzi F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not my thing!! The characters might be relatable to some people but overall they were pretty unlikable and the stories seemed a little tone deaf.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging stories. Great stories and characters. Extremely specific details. The golfing story was a little over the top.

[Manushi Majumdar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an exhausting read. I liked some ideas, some subtle and witty lines but the overarching theme of most of the stories was dry.

[Catarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The great thing about short story collections is that you can read them in little chunks without the commitment of a novel. The bad thing is that, for that same reason, I often neglect them to read a novel (especially one that I have had on hold at the library). My reading of this collection was interrupted by two novels, in fact. So, it is a bit hard for me to remember the earlier stories. But, I definitely liked the last few stories better.

[Audra Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short stories. I hadn't read a collection by a single author in a while that I really liked, so I was hoping for the best. I'm glad I read this. It's a strong group--each story has interesting though not always likable characters. Amend does a nice job removing the fluff and leaving us with compact writing that is very punchy and effective.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can scarcely believe all of these stories were written by the same person. i enjoyed this collection very, very much and am kicking myself for missing this author at the wisconsin book fest last october.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had that feeling after reading each story, the apprehension that the next one wouldn't be as good as the one before, but the next one would suck me in just as hard. weird and makes your brain feel funny. i liked it very much

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading - however the very best story is her first one. This story from my point of view could easily become a novel.

[gwen g · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such creative work -- it's been a while since I loved a book of disconnected stories this much. Highly recommended.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of quirky, dysfunctional characters and circumstances. The title is remarkably fitting as it looks at all of the ways we think we love.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could rate books with half-stars, I'd have given this book two and a half. Oh well.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a writer of clear talent who has written a book that hides from its own material. It is flippant where it ought to be grave, and "funny" when it ought to be real. This writer could do better.

[Allison Parker]

I do not rate books for which I was involved in publication, however...
My own description coming soon...

[Julia Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of darkly funny, disturbing stories with a variety of unique voices. Some real gems in here.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing book with a beautiful cover. I wish I had spent my money more wisely.

[Shannon]

Cant do it. Add it to my hella long list of books I tried and failed. It's boring. To me.

[Dee]

Saw her speak @ Shaman Drum on Oct. 15. Seems intriguing.

[Celeste Ng]

Interview with Allison Amend forthcoming at http://www.fictionwritersreview.com!