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Here Lies: The Collected Stories of Dorothy Parker
Twenty-four stories by Dorothy Parker
362 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1939
116 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Parker
327 books2,047 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.
Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 8, 2017
“Alcuni uomini ti spezzano il cuore, altri blandiscono e lusingano, alcuni uomini neppure ti guardano; e questo esaurisce la questione."
Il mio primo incontro con Dorothy Parker risale ad una ventina d’anni fa, quando l’aforisma sopra citato attirò la mia attenzione dalla prima di copertina di una rivista di letteratura. Avevo ventitrè anni, ed il cuore spezzato. Da un uomo, ça va sans dire. In quegli anni, delle persone infelici per amore si diceva: “è un danneggiato” (dal libro Il danno, della Hart, libro che credo anche di aver letto). Ecco io ero danneggiata in modo grave.
Da parecchi mesi vivevo in uno stato mestamente sonnambolico e, alternando periodi di euforia ad altri di totale abbattimento, mi trascinavo stentatamente all’università, cercando con vari artifizi di sopravvivere all’evento di portata archetipica, l’Abbandono, e perseguitando gli sventurati amici, cui raccontavo e raccontavo e riraccontavo il mio amore infelice.
Ecco, quelle poche frasi della Parker ebbero un effetto catalizzatore, magico: mi fecero prendere consapevolezza della mia situazione con grande lucidità, e capii che le cose erano molto semplici, ero stata lasciata, soffrivo ma sarei guarita, non rientrando io nella categoria delle persone che si suicidano per amore. Ricordo come fosse oggi il momento in cui lessi (ero alla stazione), e compresi, come in una illuminazione, che un giorno quel dolore sarebbe passato, e che stava a me cercare di affrettare l’arrivo di quel giorno. La questione era esaurita, appunto.
Dorothy Parker, ormai polvere lei stessa, dalla distanza spaziale e temporale da cui mi scriveva quelle poche frasi, aveva avviato il mio processo di guarigione. La letteratura e l’arte lo avevano fatto (come molte altre volte in seguito) per tramite suo.
Poi della Parker non lessi più niente, sino a qualche mese fa, quando grazie ad un’amica anobiana entrai in possesso di questi racconti. Alcuni sono molto belli, altri meno. La raccolta è troppo appiattita, a mio avviso, su pochi temi e, alla fine, risulta un po’ ripetitiva, per cui le ho dato tre stelle, forse in modo un po’ troppo sbrigativo, o forse sono cambiata e certi temi mi interessano meno, o forse ero di cattivo umore quando ho letto i racconti, e sono stata troppo severa.
Ma sentivo di dover dire ancora qualcosa di questa autrice che, come spesso gli scrittori sanno fare, ha avuto una piccola parte nella mia vita. Con questo breve commento le aggiungo simbolicamente una stellina, e rendo noto il favore che mi fece tanti anni fa.
Il mio primo incontro con Dorothy Parker risale ad una ventina d’anni fa, quando l’aforisma sopra citato attirò la mia attenzione dalla prima di copertina di una rivista di letteratura. Avevo ventitrè anni, ed il cuore spezzato. Da un uomo, ça va sans dire. In quegli anni, delle persone infelici per amore si diceva: “è un danneggiato” (dal libro Il danno, della Hart, libro che credo anche di aver letto). Ecco io ero danneggiata in modo grave.
Da parecchi mesi vivevo in uno stato mestamente sonnambolico e, alternando periodi di euforia ad altri di totale abbattimento, mi trascinavo stentatamente all’università, cercando con vari artifizi di sopravvivere all’evento di portata archetipica, l’Abbandono, e perseguitando gli sventurati amici, cui raccontavo e raccontavo e riraccontavo il mio amore infelice.
Ecco, quelle poche frasi della Parker ebbero un effetto catalizzatore, magico: mi fecero prendere consapevolezza della mia situazione con grande lucidità, e capii che le cose erano molto semplici, ero stata lasciata, soffrivo ma sarei guarita, non rientrando io nella categoria delle persone che si suicidano per amore. Ricordo come fosse oggi il momento in cui lessi (ero alla stazione), e compresi, come in una illuminazione, che un giorno quel dolore sarebbe passato, e che stava a me cercare di affrettare l’arrivo di quel giorno. La questione era esaurita, appunto.
Dorothy Parker, ormai polvere lei stessa, dalla distanza spaziale e temporale da cui mi scriveva quelle poche frasi, aveva avviato il mio processo di guarigione. La letteratura e l’arte lo avevano fatto (come molte altre volte in seguito) per tramite suo.
Poi della Parker non lessi più niente, sino a qualche mese fa, quando grazie ad un’amica anobiana entrai in possesso di questi racconti. Alcuni sono molto belli, altri meno. La raccolta è troppo appiattita, a mio avviso, su pochi temi e, alla fine, risulta un po’ ripetitiva, per cui le ho dato tre stelle, forse in modo un po’ troppo sbrigativo, o forse sono cambiata e certi temi mi interessano meno, o forse ero di cattivo umore quando ho letto i racconti, e sono stata troppo severa.
Ma sentivo di dover dire ancora qualcosa di questa autrice che, come spesso gli scrittori sanno fare, ha avuto una piccola parte nella mia vita. Con questo breve commento le aggiungo simbolicamente una stellina, e rendo noto il favore che mi fece tanti anni fa.
April 9, 2019
For those who know her longest & most for snarky observations of folks with too much time on their hands & not enough in their hearts, Parker's stories should be a revelation. Her observations of class and race are fearless, compassionate markers of the uneasiness and ignorance of her day. And of course no woman who has limped away from an insensitive dance partner should have to live without her very own copy of "The Waltz."
March 11, 2021
A collection of realistic and humorous situations written with the wry wit and keen observation of the legendary Dorothy Parker.
April 14, 2019
My brother bought this book for me a few years ago - beautiful hardbound, gold-leafed edges. And, along with it came a “Notes from the Editors” with interesting background information of Dorothy Parker of whom I had not heard of before reading this book.
I enjoyed all the stories, but my favorites are:
A Telephone Call - an emotionally wrenching story about a woman waiting for a man to call. Sounds simple, but Ms. Parker’s writing keeps you holding your breath, feeling every emotion this woman goes through waiting for the call. On borderline of insanity.
Little Curtis - a story of a wealthy wife and husband adopting a boy, Curtis. They wanted a son that would behave perfectly, but the little boy behaved like a normal child. The dynamics of the conversations with friends who visited, exposed the unfit parents.
Clothe the Naked: this was quite different from the rest of the stories. Very thought provoking. Gives you a picture of beautiful innocence and then reality. Heartbreaking.
I have to say, I could only read a story a day (or one every other day). These stories are emotionally draining. And, I do not mean it in a negative way. Dorothy Parker works your brain.
There were several that made me laugh too - the absurdity of situations. And, that is what Dorothy Parker is famous for - her snarky prose.
Five star! Ms. Parker’s writing style is excellent!
I enjoyed all the stories, but my favorites are:
A Telephone Call - an emotionally wrenching story about a woman waiting for a man to call. Sounds simple, but Ms. Parker’s writing keeps you holding your breath, feeling every emotion this woman goes through waiting for the call. On borderline of insanity.
Little Curtis - a story of a wealthy wife and husband adopting a boy, Curtis. They wanted a son that would behave perfectly, but the little boy behaved like a normal child. The dynamics of the conversations with friends who visited, exposed the unfit parents.
Clothe the Naked: this was quite different from the rest of the stories. Very thought provoking. Gives you a picture of beautiful innocence and then reality. Heartbreaking.
I have to say, I could only read a story a day (or one every other day). These stories are emotionally draining. And, I do not mean it in a negative way. Dorothy Parker works your brain.
There were several that made me laugh too - the absurdity of situations. And, that is what Dorothy Parker is famous for - her snarky prose.
Five star! Ms. Parker’s writing style is excellent!
October 30, 2021
Si vous avez des contacts fréquents avec des américains, ca vaut la peine de lire ce petit recueil des contes de Dorothy Parker qui est une légende et héroïne aux yeux de ces compatriotes qui aiment la littérature. Parker était une scénariste, poète, critique et conteuse de grand talent. Elle militait pendant presque cinquante années pour toutes les causes chères à la gauche américaine: les droits civiles des noirs, la liberté d'expression et la lutte contre le fascisme. À cause des sympathies communistes, on la mis sur la "liste noire" d'Hollywood; c'est-à-dire, la liste des artistes auxquels les grands studios ne donnaient pas de travail durant les années 1950. Parker était aussi alcoolique et menait une vie romantique orageuse.
Parker avait la réputation d'être une des écrivaines qui mettait son génie plus dans sa vie que dans ses écrits. Alors la qualité des contes dans ce recueil a été pour moi une très belle surprise. Parker s'est révélée comme une satiriste extraordinaire. Aussi elle avait l'audace d'aborder des sujets tels que le suicide et l'avortement. Il faut reconnaitre qu'il y a des contes qui sont banales à pleurer dans ce volume, mais pour la plupart elles sont excellentes. Ce livre vous offre une très belle introduction à une des auteures américaines le plus flamboyantes du XXe siècle.
Parker avait la réputation d'être une des écrivaines qui mettait son génie plus dans sa vie que dans ses écrits. Alors la qualité des contes dans ce recueil a été pour moi une très belle surprise. Parker s'est révélée comme une satiriste extraordinaire. Aussi elle avait l'audace d'aborder des sujets tels que le suicide et l'avortement. Il faut reconnaitre qu'il y a des contes qui sont banales à pleurer dans ce volume, mais pour la plupart elles sont excellentes. Ce livre vous offre une très belle introduction à une des auteures américaines le plus flamboyantes du XXe siècle.
May 21, 2023
A good collection of Dorothy Parker's short stories; however, I was reminded of her focus on love gone wrong. She does it well, mind you... but it can get a little tedious after a while. I think I like her "monologues" the best - "The Waltz" still makes me giggle a bit.
September 18, 2008
If you can't appreciate Dorothy Parker, you may in fact be dead inside.
April 24, 2017
I'm very late discovering that I love Dorothy Parker! I picked up this volume by chance, thinking it was a mystery book - (bought it at a flea market for $3) I'm so glad I did. There were several times I actually laughed out loud at this book - -and it's not easy to make me laugh. Her sense of humour and her grasp of the difference between sexes was spot on . I want more Dorothy Parker! Highly recommend this book of short stories...quick and interesting reads - LOVED this book.
September 16, 2010
Dorothy Parker's incredible wit doesn't quite shine through in this book, whose stories focus on emotional, dramatic, insecure, ridiculous high society. Perhaps radical for its time, but now, just kind of whiny and unsympathetic. Kind of like Sex and the City without any of the charisma (or sex).
December 17, 2014
Spietato.
Una scrittura meravigliosa.
Racconti crudi e violenti nella loro leggerezza.
Meraviglioso.
Una scrittura meravigliosa.
Racconti crudi e violenti nella loro leggerezza.
Meraviglioso.
January 18, 2018
E pensare che è passata alla storia come scrittrice divertente, brillante, svaporata.
September 25, 2021
My main response to many of these stories was: OOF. Having read a huge collection of Parker’s poetry, I am fully aware that she has a eye for the meanness and littleness of humanity, while retaining her sense of humour about it. And BOY, does she have experience of fuckboys. ‘The Telephone Call’ had me rolling around in agony. Characters such as Horsie and Little Curtis were wrenching. The only reason I didn’t give this collection five stars is that there’s no redemption here. Everyone’s a shithead, or at the mercy of a user with no hint of escape. And for five stars, I need redemption.
Favourites: A Telephone Call; Horsie; Clothe the Naked; Little Curtis; Dusk Before Fireworks; New York to Detroit; Glory in the Daytime.
She’s fantastic at description, of course.
The Wonderful Old Gentleman:
“The centre-table was upheld by the perpetually strained arms of three carved figures, insistently female to the waist, then trailing discreetly off into a confusion of scrolls and scales.”
The Custard Heart:
“Mrs Lanier wore yellow of evenings. She had gowns of velvet like poured country cream and satin with the lacquer of buttercups and chiffon that spiralled about her like golden smoke. She wore them, and listened in shy surprise to the resulting comparisons to daffodils, and butterflies in the sunshine, and such; but she knew.”
She’s also funny, as expected.
The Wonderful Old Gentleman:
“[...] God, Who had always supplied her with the best of service. She could have given him an excellent reference at any time.”
Mr Durant:
“It looked, on the whole, like a composite photograph of Popular Dogs. But you could tell at a glance that it had a way with it. Sceptres have been tossed aside for that.”
And then there’s the parts where she casually breaks your heart. Thanks, Dorothy! I hate it.
A Telephone Call:
“They hate you whenever you say anything you really think. You always have to keep playing little games. Oh, I thought we didn’t have to; I thought this was so big I could say whatever I meant. I guess you can’t, ever. I guess there isn’t ever anything big enough for that.”
“Oh, God, please don’t let me telephone him. […] Please make me know that, God. I don’t ask You to make it easy for me – You can’t do that, for all that you could make a world.”
Horsie:
“A man had given them to her. She had been given flowers. They might not fade maybe for days. And she could keep the box.”
OH GOOOODDDDDDD.
Favourites: A Telephone Call; Horsie; Clothe the Naked; Little Curtis; Dusk Before Fireworks; New York to Detroit; Glory in the Daytime.
She’s fantastic at description, of course.
The Wonderful Old Gentleman:
“The centre-table was upheld by the perpetually strained arms of three carved figures, insistently female to the waist, then trailing discreetly off into a confusion of scrolls and scales.”
The Custard Heart:
“Mrs Lanier wore yellow of evenings. She had gowns of velvet like poured country cream and satin with the lacquer of buttercups and chiffon that spiralled about her like golden smoke. She wore them, and listened in shy surprise to the resulting comparisons to daffodils, and butterflies in the sunshine, and such; but she knew.”
She’s also funny, as expected.
The Wonderful Old Gentleman:
“[...] God, Who had always supplied her with the best of service. She could have given him an excellent reference at any time.”
Mr Durant:
“It looked, on the whole, like a composite photograph of Popular Dogs. But you could tell at a glance that it had a way with it. Sceptres have been tossed aside for that.”
And then there’s the parts where she casually breaks your heart. Thanks, Dorothy! I hate it.
A Telephone Call:
“They hate you whenever you say anything you really think. You always have to keep playing little games. Oh, I thought we didn’t have to; I thought this was so big I could say whatever I meant. I guess you can’t, ever. I guess there isn’t ever anything big enough for that.”
“Oh, God, please don’t let me telephone him. […] Please make me know that, God. I don’t ask You to make it easy for me – You can’t do that, for all that you could make a world.”
Horsie:
“A man had given them to her. She had been given flowers. They might not fade maybe for days. And she could keep the box.”
OH GOOOODDDDDDD.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
How it all started: my husband heard a snarky quote by Dorothy Parker & asked if I had any of her books. I didn't. I had heard of her, but she was otherwise new to me. I requested one of her books from paperbackswapdotcom. The sender was like, "I know you asked for one, but here's 5. Enjoy!" Some (including this one) are extremely old and in that lovely "weathered-but-well-loved" condition that I adore. So I chose this book to be my introduction and indoctrination to her style. I wanted to love it. So bad. But in every short story, the main characters are all variations of the same 2 people: a passive-aggresive, lovesick, doormat of a woman, and a misogynistic, philandering, scumbag of a man. That got tiresome real quick. Also, I totally understand that these are old stories, written very long ago; yes, I get it... buuuut, dialogue (internal and conversation) tends to make up the bulk of her stories, and the old-fashioned vernacular was distracting.
I didn't NOT enjoy the book. I can tell from her writing that she's got potential. I love snark and wit and clever digs at stupid people. Maybe it's the state of mind I've been in lately; I just wasn't that interested in reading about a series of mildly despicable people acting shitty toward one another.
All that to say my experience with Dorothy Parker is off to a rocky start. I will press on, in the hopes that we hit it off!
I didn't NOT enjoy the book. I can tell from her writing that she's got potential. I love snark and wit and clever digs at stupid people. Maybe it's the state of mind I've been in lately; I just wasn't that interested in reading about a series of mildly despicable people acting shitty toward one another.
All that to say my experience with Dorothy Parker is off to a rocky start. I will press on, in the hopes that we hit it off!
January 11, 2018
Lettura che segue La Bellezza del Mondo (cfr Osa Johnson) per vedere da vicino ciò che Bris narra 70 anni dopo.
Erano amiche, Osa e Dorothy, e frequentavano in parte la stessa cool NY, solo che Osa aveva degli obiettivi concreti (organizzare le trasferte in Africa) mentre Dottie seguiva solo il bello e fulmineo scrivere. E quindi le ragazze di Dorothy sono tutte egualmente disperate perché un Lui non ha telefonato, un Lui si interessa ad un’altra Lei, un Lui è sparito senza lasciare traccia di sé. Solo ogni tanto emerge un Lui disperato, ma si vede che è per non fare sembrare tutte le donne dei racconti troppo solitarie nella loro disperazione.
Parker ha una capacità folgorante di riprodurre rapporti interpersonali attraverso dialoghi fulminanti e – a dire il vero - del tutto deprimenti, perché tutti incentrati sull’amore perduto, illuso, vano, vagheggiato, e tutto sotto al segno che in amore vince chi fugge.
Erano amiche, Osa e Dorothy, e frequentavano in parte la stessa cool NY, solo che Osa aveva degli obiettivi concreti (organizzare le trasferte in Africa) mentre Dottie seguiva solo il bello e fulmineo scrivere. E quindi le ragazze di Dorothy sono tutte egualmente disperate perché un Lui non ha telefonato, un Lui si interessa ad un’altra Lei, un Lui è sparito senza lasciare traccia di sé. Solo ogni tanto emerge un Lui disperato, ma si vede che è per non fare sembrare tutte le donne dei racconti troppo solitarie nella loro disperazione.
Parker ha una capacità folgorante di riprodurre rapporti interpersonali attraverso dialoghi fulminanti e – a dire il vero - del tutto deprimenti, perché tutti incentrati sull’amore perduto, illuso, vano, vagheggiato, e tutto sotto al segno che in amore vince chi fugge.
April 21, 2025
I want to be Dorothy Parker when I grow up
Read
May 13, 2007If you love wit, if you appreciate a well turned phrase, and can enjoy the writing of a women who was so obviously before her time, then this is for you. Who can't love verse such as "Guns aren't lawful/Nooses give/Gas smells awful/You might as well live"! My sentiments exactly! Read and enjoy!
June 26, 2013
It's taken me way too long to get into Parker, but I'm glad I have. While some of the stories do tend to be of their own time, a bunch of them are still incredibly relevant. Too relevant. It shows that, as a country, we really haven't advanced too much. That's kinda depressing. Ugh.
November 16, 2007
I read the portuguese translation of this book, but loved it anyway.
I had only read "the phonecall" which I enjoyed even more now.
Delightful, "too bad" is one of my favorite stories.
I had only read "the phonecall" which I enjoyed even more now.
Delightful, "too bad" is one of my favorite stories.
January 28, 2009
Dorothy Parker's wit is timeless and without compare. I actually laughed out loud at many of the stories as I read, which for me is a rare reading event.
August 2, 2023
I found this book on a dusty shelf of childhood favorites-totally misplaced there! I assume it was my mom’s and found its way to me. I decided I had best read it! I really enjoyed Parker’s style and found it very modern. I bet she was considered quite outrageous at her time. Her sly cutting observations of the elite of NYC are hysterical and sad. Trigger warnings for those with an aversion to the N word. It is used several times and reveals much about attitudes and characters of the time period about which she writes.
October 21, 2025
If like me you know Parker mostly for her reputation as a snarky wit, this collection comes as something of a surprise. While there is dark and subtle humour here, there's also a lot of compassion and wistfulness. But under the surface there's also a lot of anger and frustration at the hypocrisy, misogyny, and cruelty of the society she's observing.
All that's missing is a story about horticulture.
All that's missing is a story about horticulture.
June 6, 2020
To experience the wry observation of New Yorkers lives from Parker’s perspective creates a different kind of short story, one long on internal musing yet engaging. Relationships are the subtle conflicts, nothing explosive yet decisive nonetheless if and when they deteriorate. The reader is left to think about what they just went through and what it could mean.
January 9, 2022
In the biography I recently read, the impression I received is that this collection is the weakest of Dorothy Parker short story compilations... But it's still pretty fucking good. All of the stories display a bit of sense of humor combined with a discerning, depressed and skewering look at life. A solid collection.
March 10, 2022
Le eroine di questi brevi quadri raccontano storie di incomprensioni, asimmetrie sentimentali, battibecchi, alcolismo. Qualcuna è grottesca, qualcuna deprimente, tutte presentano amare rappresentazioni della condizione femminile, molto partecipate e un po' ripetitive.
October 27, 2022
A window into the soul
Skillfully told tales of the character of humans. Dorothy sees all and understands it, then while giving us sometimes only half the story, enables us to know exactly what is going on.
Clever clever Dorothy Parker
Skillfully told tales of the character of humans. Dorothy sees all and understands it, then while giving us sometimes only half the story, enables us to know exactly what is going on.
Clever clever Dorothy Parker
June 14, 2019
3.5 stars
February 6, 2025
Perfect mid-century melodrama, but with wit and social commentary.
November 9, 2022
Some good, some bad, a few boring, a few depressing. All Parker with her unique and sardonic outlook.
July 1, 2025
The rich are sad.
Actually, according to Parker, everyone is sad.
This was a weird read. Parker is a very talented writer, but all her stories are built around that one theme: Nobody is really happy. They are all lonely, sad and slightly desperate.
You get the point pretty quickly, so while her use of language and creating settings and characters is impressive, the book is depressing slog after awhile.
It's an anthology, so I could take the book in bite sized chunks, but even after a break, I faced the book with the feeling of something I should finish reading, rather than something I wanted to.
Parker is a good writer, she just doesn't write anything that's much fun to read.
Actually, according to Parker, everyone is sad.
This was a weird read. Parker is a very talented writer, but all her stories are built around that one theme: Nobody is really happy. They are all lonely, sad and slightly desperate.
You get the point pretty quickly, so while her use of language and creating settings and characters is impressive, the book is depressing slog after awhile.
It's an anthology, so I could take the book in bite sized chunks, but even after a break, I faced the book with the feeling of something I should finish reading, rather than something I wanted to.
Parker is a good writer, she just doesn't write anything that's much fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews