The Murder of the Frogs and Other Stories

by Don Carpenter

"No pretty little thoughts, no fake faith-restoratives — just hard solid craftsmanship and style." — The New York Times (An Outstanding Book of the Year)

From the author of Hard Rain Falling and Blade of Light come these two novellas and eight shorter pieces that explore racial conflict and the agonies of loneliness and heartbreak: "The Crossroader," in which a Black drifter outfoxes an all-white crew of small-town hustlers; "Blue Eyes," the story of an aging half-Indian prostitute and her increasingly respectable white lover; "One of Those Big-City Girls," concerning a woman in her forties drawn to younger men; and more, including the title tale, a moving narrative of a boy's first love.

"Carpenter shows his versatility and ability to handle strong themes with cool precision...a consistently interesting craftsman." — Kirkus Reviews

"Don Carpenter is a particular favorite of mine." — Jonathan Lethem

"Don Carpenter could be hilarious, and he could break your heart, and he could write about ego and frailty as well as anyone on earth. I loved him like crazy." — Anne Lamott

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Don Carpenter was an American writer, best known as the author of Hard Rain Falling. He wrote numerous novels, novellas, short stories and screenplays over the course of a 22-year career that took him from a childhood in Berkeley and the Pacific Northwest to the corridors of power and ego in Hollywood. A close observer of human frailty, his writing depicted marginal characters like pool sharks, prisoners and drug dealers, as well as movie moguls and struggling actors. Although lauded by critics and fellow writers alike, Carpenter's novels and stories never reached a mass audience and he supported himself with extensive work for Hollywood. Facing a mounting series of debilitating illnesses, Don Carpenter committed suicide in 1995.

Reviews

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Nathaniel West's cynical and bitter observances on Hollywood life and making it big; and reminiscent of Richard Yates' brutal domestic dramas, these stories are haunting and spare- clear and razor sharp yearnings of missed connections, settling down, and the attempt to overcome loneliness.

The best stories are the novellas- The Murder of the Frogs, is a story of first love and sexual awakening of Walter, a shy young man who falls for Marilyn, a nymphlike young girl whose coquettish charms lead him to self destruct emotionally.

One of Those Big City Girls is the story of Natalie, in her mid 40s, lonely and yearning, independent and resigned who finds herself in love with Jerry, a boy in his 20s and constantly broke and struggling to keep bartending jobs; and Bill, who is her age, studious, and serious. It's an exploration of a polyamorous relationship between three unlikely people who are connected fueled by the primal need for sex, love and companionship. "Sure life sucks, but I still have you" is the takeaway of this story, but reading it shows a broken heart attempting to recover its pieces, of loneliness and how happiness constantly slips away.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I much appreciated this book of short stories which, while not as strong as "Hard Rain Falling", still confirmed to me the national literary felony being commited by leaving Carpenter out of our common canon!

[MalNich · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

[Tom Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a newly discovered writer! Just when I think its never going to happen again, there it is! Found out about him from an article in The Nation. He's a writers writer, reminding me much of Richard Yates with a little Nathanael West thrown in. Going to read "Hard Rain Falling" next. Try him. You won't be disappointed!

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to give anything Don Carpenter wrote less than 5 stars. Fantastic.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Carpenter. I just read everything I could find. Thank god for interlibrary loans!

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.

Literary toast.

[Justin Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

flawed but memorable stories from a less self-conscious literary age

[Josette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first few stories, especially the titular one about a young boy at his summer cabin. Sort of lost my attention around the Hollywood Trio in the second half.

[Nick LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Carpenter is an underrated master. His writing is beautiful, clear and propulsive without being showy or belabored. Grotesque humanity cooks just underneath each one of these stories, occasionally bubbling to the surface. IMO, the Hollywood stories are stinkers. NY to LA and the Crossroader are dated and forgettable. But the rest are worth your time. I think he may be a better novelist than short story writer.

Ranked:

Silver Lame
Road Show
The Murder of the Frogs
Limbo
One of those Big City Girls
Blue Eyes
New York to Los Angeles
The Crossroader
Hollywood Whore
Hollywood Heart

[Paa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories and novella. Interesting reads.