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Days: Stories
"Robison is both wise and entertaining, a technician with a sense of humor, a minimalist with a good eye for what can be salvaged from lives of quiet desperation." ― The New York Times Book Review
The population of Mary Robison's fiction is the stunned citizenry of a world vaporized beneath them, people who say "all right" and "okay" often, not because they consent, but because nothing counts. Still, there are chronicles of small victories here, small only because, as Robison so precisely documents, larger victories are impossible.
"There is an almost incredible purity of line and texture in these stories. Every phrase is lucid, every character comes alive, and every sentence suggested a calm, wise, heartbroken version of the world. Robison writes like an avenging angel, and I think she may be a genius." ―Richard Yates, author of Cold Spring Harbor
The population of Mary Robison's fiction is the stunned citizenry of a world vaporized beneath them, people who say "all right" and "okay" often, not because they consent, but because nothing counts. Still, there are chronicles of small victories here, small only because, as Robison so precisely documents, larger victories are impossible.
"There is an almost incredible purity of line and texture in these stories. Every phrase is lucid, every character comes alive, and every sentence suggested a calm, wise, heartbroken version of the world. Robison writes like an avenging angel, and I think she may be a genius." ―Richard Yates, author of Cold Spring Harbor
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
5 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Mary Robison
26 books115 followersMary Robison is an American short story writer and novelist. She has published four collections of stories, and four novels, including her 2001 novel Why Did I Ever, winner of the 2001 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for fiction. Her most recent novel, released in 2009, is One D.O.A., One on the Way. She has been categorized as a founding "minimalist" writer along with authors such as Amy Hempel, Frederick Barthelme, and Raymond Carver. In 2009, she won the Rea Award for the Short Story.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 24, 2023
Days by Mary Robison: A Captivating Dive into Minimalism Brilliance
Introduction:
"Days" by Mary Robison, my first foray into her literary world, proved to be an enthralling collection of 20 short stories that immediately seized my attention. Unfamiliar with the nuances of minimalism at the time, I found myself drawn into Robison's narrative prowess, drawing comparisons with the works of Raymond Carver, yet ultimately favoring Robison's unique storytelling. This collection, a tapestry of lives explored in fragments, is a testament to her mastery of dialogue and a distinct brand of hyperrealism.
Discovering Minimalism:
In my initial encounter with "Days," I stumbled upon the world of minimalism without even realizing it. The subtle parallels between Robison and Carver became apparent, with Robison's storytelling resonating more profoundly with me. Her stories unfold without the need for grand narratives, emphasizing the power of the mundane and the beauty in simplicity.
Masterful Dialogue:
What sets Robison apart is her unparalleled ability to craft dialogue that breathes life, honesty, and authenticity into her characters. The stories are driven by conversations that reveal the inner workings of individuals grappling with desperation. Robison's dialogue writing is not merely a vehicle for communication; it's an art form that encapsulates the essence of the human experience.
Hyperrealism and Desperation:
Robison's exploration of hyperrealism is evident in her portrayal of desperate lives. Her characters, burdened by past sufferings, navigate existence with a remarkable lack of complaint. Instead of focusing on grand events, she provides snapshots of lives, capturing the broken, soulless aftermath of the storm.
Absence of Traditional Story Structure:
In defiance of traditional storytelling norms, "Days" lacks a clear beginning, middle, or end. Robison weaves narratives that resemble fragments from a larger canvas, showcasing the profound significance found in seemingly inconsequential moments. This departure from the conventional narrative arc adds a layer of complexity and depth to her storytelling.
Quiet Struggles and Existentialism:
Unlike many other writers who narrate the storm, Robison opts to explore life in its quieter, more contemplative moments. Her characters, devoid of typical tensions or conflicts, pass by each other with a weariness that mirrors real-life struggles. The absence of overt drama allows readers to witness the characters' quiet attempts to salvage what remains of their lives.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Days" by Mary Robison is a remarkable exploration of minimalism, masterful dialogue, and hyperrealism. Robison's stories defy conventions, offering readers a mosaic of lives that are at once desperate and quietly resilient. For those who appreciate unconventional narratives and character-driven stories, "Days" is a must-read—an invitation to delve into the beauty of life's fragments and the subtle power of human connection.
Highlights:
Kite and Paint
Doctor's Sons
Camilla
Pretty Ice
Daughters
May Queen
Bud Parrot
Stay with Me
PS. It's really hard to pick :)
Each story is a gem, showcasing Robison's narrative finesse and her ability to infuse profundity into seemingly ordinary moments.
Introduction:
"Days" by Mary Robison, my first foray into her literary world, proved to be an enthralling collection of 20 short stories that immediately seized my attention. Unfamiliar with the nuances of minimalism at the time, I found myself drawn into Robison's narrative prowess, drawing comparisons with the works of Raymond Carver, yet ultimately favoring Robison's unique storytelling. This collection, a tapestry of lives explored in fragments, is a testament to her mastery of dialogue and a distinct brand of hyperrealism.
Discovering Minimalism:
In my initial encounter with "Days," I stumbled upon the world of minimalism without even realizing it. The subtle parallels between Robison and Carver became apparent, with Robison's storytelling resonating more profoundly with me. Her stories unfold without the need for grand narratives, emphasizing the power of the mundane and the beauty in simplicity.
Masterful Dialogue:
What sets Robison apart is her unparalleled ability to craft dialogue that breathes life, honesty, and authenticity into her characters. The stories are driven by conversations that reveal the inner workings of individuals grappling with desperation. Robison's dialogue writing is not merely a vehicle for communication; it's an art form that encapsulates the essence of the human experience.
Hyperrealism and Desperation:
Robison's exploration of hyperrealism is evident in her portrayal of desperate lives. Her characters, burdened by past sufferings, navigate existence with a remarkable lack of complaint. Instead of focusing on grand events, she provides snapshots of lives, capturing the broken, soulless aftermath of the storm.
Absence of Traditional Story Structure:
In defiance of traditional storytelling norms, "Days" lacks a clear beginning, middle, or end. Robison weaves narratives that resemble fragments from a larger canvas, showcasing the profound significance found in seemingly inconsequential moments. This departure from the conventional narrative arc adds a layer of complexity and depth to her storytelling.
Quiet Struggles and Existentialism:
Unlike many other writers who narrate the storm, Robison opts to explore life in its quieter, more contemplative moments. Her characters, devoid of typical tensions or conflicts, pass by each other with a weariness that mirrors real-life struggles. The absence of overt drama allows readers to witness the characters' quiet attempts to salvage what remains of their lives.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Days" by Mary Robison is a remarkable exploration of minimalism, masterful dialogue, and hyperrealism. Robison's stories defy conventions, offering readers a mosaic of lives that are at once desperate and quietly resilient. For those who appreciate unconventional narratives and character-driven stories, "Days" is a must-read—an invitation to delve into the beauty of life's fragments and the subtle power of human connection.
Highlights:
Kite and Paint
Doctor's Sons
Camilla
Pretty Ice
Daughters
May Queen
Bud Parrot
Stay with Me
PS. It's really hard to pick :)
Each story is a gem, showcasing Robison's narrative finesse and her ability to infuse profundity into seemingly ordinary moments.
March 7, 2019
She's one of my very favorite writers, and I think one of a handful of still-living geniuses of fiction. This collection, her first, came out in '79, and contains many stories that would eventually be reprinted and repackaged in TELL ME, though perhaps my three favorite stories in the collection—"Bud Parrot," "Widower," and "Felt Pieces"—are not among them. But all of the stories are terrific, even if a few feel more like scenes than they do fully-textured stories. It's fascinating how different her early work is from, say, her more recent novels like Why Did I Ever and One D.O.A., One On the Way. She's always great with dialogue, but tonally these stories feel so far removed from the biting, caustic, morbid/black comedy that characterizes those novels. Impressive range.
I really adore the blurb from Richard Yates on the back cover, in which he says, "Robison writes like an avenging angel, and I think she may be a genius."
I really adore the blurb from Richard Yates on the back cover, in which he says, "Robison writes like an avenging angel, and I think she may be a genius."
Read
April 26, 2025eerie. not that this is horror but an eavesdroppy quality permeates (apropos the post-nixon pub date) that almost stands up the lil hairs on your neck. my theory is that it stems from m-rob carefully stripping out interiority, such that you generally gotta judge chars strictly based on word & deed. still trying to analyze how that works, & how she captures the sometimes adultishness of children & childishness of adults so well. will have to work thru more of her biblio; not a bad problem to have!
January 4, 2008
i'll never forget the lonely New England fall i read this collection cover to cover.
August 27, 2024
Mary Robison drops the reader into each story with little or no setup, exposition—you're just THERE. I love that. Every detail is so accurate and authentic to the late 1970s in this collection. The turd-brown, nicotine-stained kitchens, the polluted lives—both rich and poor. The shabby, Catholic disillusionment of it all.
This is my first foray into her work. I stupidly confused her with Marilyn Robinson, who I know is worshiped by her famous students but really doesn't inspire me. It's embarrassing to admit. Not until I read Robison's Paris Review Interview did I realize my idiotic mistake. I plan to read every story she ever wrote because it's already changing how I approach the writing of our sacred short story craft.
Finally, a word about her dialogue, which is exquisite. The profound reflective moments are camouflaged so effectively between the lines, one must read with care lest they slip past. Though totally different from Joy Williams, my delight in discovering Mary Robison has that feeling.
Lumped into the unfortunate, wildly inaccurate category of "minimalism," Mary's lean, to-the-point short stories aren't "minimalist"—she's a Precisionist.
This is my first foray into her work. I stupidly confused her with Marilyn Robinson, who I know is worshiped by her famous students but really doesn't inspire me. It's embarrassing to admit. Not until I read Robison's Paris Review Interview did I realize my idiotic mistake. I plan to read every story she ever wrote because it's already changing how I approach the writing of our sacred short story craft.
Finally, a word about her dialogue, which is exquisite. The profound reflective moments are camouflaged so effectively between the lines, one must read with care lest they slip past. Though totally different from Joy Williams, my delight in discovering Mary Robison has that feeling.
Lumped into the unfortunate, wildly inaccurate category of "minimalism," Mary's lean, to-the-point short stories aren't "minimalist"—she's a Precisionist.
February 8, 2019
brilliant stories
May 29, 2025
Mary Robison probably deserves to be considered in the same breath as such searing truth-tellers as Leonard Michaels and Raymond Carver. For like those two giants, she is a master of the liminal moment. The strange dialogue that bristles right before a hurricane or the numerous well-observed moments in "Camilla," where we see the titular character feast on ground sausage and eggs when she isn't living in anticipation of something. Anticipation. Yes, that's Robison's flex. It's easy to write off anticipation, but we're all waiting around for something, aren't we? And Robison's characters do say quite unusual things while they're waiting around. "I've got to go home for a while and clean up that tax jazz or I'll never rest." "I dreamed of a truck that could go into the sea and bring out fish." These stories don't always land, but they are never less than interesting because Robison's literary voice is brilliantly attuned to the liminal moments lost on lesser writers.
July 7, 2007
These are well-written short stories about the mundane tragedies and triumphs of people who aren't quite sure why their lives have turned out the way they have.
August 22, 2022
These short stories come close to flash fiction length. Robison gives the reader just enough info to feel like they understand the characters, show a brief scene of everyday life, and then abruptly end the story. I often found myself saying, “Ok, just one more story.”
March 27, 2020
Snappy, largely forgettable once finished. Possibly the point though.
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September 22, 2024It had taken me a while to locate a copy of anything by Mary Robison, so I was excited to find this at a local bookstore. It isn’t too surprising that Days is eerily reminiscent of Raymond Carver, Amy Hempel, et al, knowing that Gordon Lish’s edits are all over this collection. Robison’s stories tend to be somewhat funnier than Carver’s, but they lack the occasional gut-punch moments. Apparently Robison grew up in my hometown, and it was fun to see references to familiar locations in a few of the stories.
Like a lot of minimalist authors, the stories run together when read too quickly, but “May Queen”, “Pretty Ice” and “Widower” were highlights. Some of these stories were republished in their original form in another book, “Tell Me”, which I hope to track down eventually.
Like a lot of minimalist authors, the stories run together when read too quickly, but “May Queen”, “Pretty Ice” and “Widower” were highlights. Some of these stories were republished in their original form in another book, “Tell Me”, which I hope to track down eventually.
December 12, 2010
Some great stories, and a few very strange ones, but the good far outweighs the bad. Well crafted, well thought out prose.
February 22, 2012
i think i read the whole thing. i skipped around a lot cause i didn't have a bookmark in the bathtub and i am trying not to dog-ear so many library books.
Read
January 24, 2013i liked it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews