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A Parallel Life and Other Stories
A penetrating and satisfying collection of sly but wise stories about passionate people, mostly women, who do not seem satisfied with the limits society places on them. A brilliant debut by a writer who knows her people and her territory, from rural Louisiana to the coast of California.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 8, 2021
Dang, these stories are beautifully written in a spare style that avoids distraction while bringing each character to life in context. Each piece is like a perfect pearl. Almost all of them speak through a woman’s voice—or a girl’s.
The stories drill into raw feelings without making a big deal about the adept hand unfolding them.
When someone asks you why reading fiction is of any use, hand ten this collection. Fiction, in the right hands, can be truth.
Highly recommended!
The stories drill into raw feelings without making a big deal about the adept hand unfolding them.
When someone asks you why reading fiction is of any use, hand ten this collection. Fiction, in the right hands, can be truth.
Highly recommended!
February 13, 2017
favorite quotes
"'I don't understand how a person could forget how to swim,' she said. 'No, me neither. When my mama heard about my daddy, she ran off the pier in front of the house and jumped in the water, but she bobbed to the top like a cork. Maybe she wanted to forget, but she couldn't.'"
"'You're a good person. You're going to make nice bones too someday.'"
"The partially open door was to let us know that they lay in their bed on call. Whatever else they did in that bed they did in such cautious silence that I had grown to suspect that my brother and I were adopted."
"The sun just cooked them in that car as if they'd been in a pot in the oven. They were birthday naked and their clothes were in a heap on the front seat."
"'They died for love,' Lorraine said. 'They died because of love,' I said. 'It's different.'"
"'I don't understand how a person could forget how to swim,' she said. 'No, me neither. When my mama heard about my daddy, she ran off the pier in front of the house and jumped in the water, but she bobbed to the top like a cork. Maybe she wanted to forget, but she couldn't.'"
"'You're a good person. You're going to make nice bones too someday.'"
"The partially open door was to let us know that they lay in their bed on call. Whatever else they did in that bed they did in such cautious silence that I had grown to suspect that my brother and I were adopted."
"The sun just cooked them in that car as if they'd been in a pot in the oven. They were birthday naked and their clothes were in a heap on the front seat."
"'They died for love,' Lorraine said. 'They died because of love,' I said. 'It's different.'"
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews