Let’s Do

Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction

by Rebecca Meacham

Let's Do is a deeply unsettling -- yet always engrossing -- first collection of stories. With stunning translucence, Meacham dissects emotional terrain that is intimate and familiar in characters marked more by loss than good fortune. Estelle, in the title story, used to be "the kind of girl who looked forward to things." Years later, jettisoned by her husband after the death of their infant son, she wonders how she arrived at a point in her life where there are no longer beginnings, just endings.

While the women in Let's Do are hard on themselves, they're also without self-pity. They weather life's quotidian tragedies with grit and determination. But it's not just Meacham's women who are wounded. Bill, in "Good Fences," newly retired and vaguely unhappy, ponders where a line has been crossed after meeting his new neighbor, a young single mother. For other men, like Carter in "The Assignment," such reflection turns malevolent when his girlfriend, frightened by a near-assault, demands that he attack her so that next time she'll be better prepared.

Genres: Short Stories

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2004

About the author

Rebecca Meacham’s debut story collection, LET'S DO, won the Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Fiction from UNT Press and was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection. Rebecca’s flash fiction chapbook, MORBID CURIOSITIES, won the 2013-14 New Delta Review Chapbook Contest. Her flash fiction, short stories, and nonfiction have appeared in various journals. She also blogs about writing for the journal Ploughshares.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book twice now. First read was when it first came out. It's a really nice collection of 9 short stories. The author was a professor of mine, before I had to withdraw. So, I was interested to see what someone somewhat local could come up with. The stories are based with Midwestern characters, that could have spun off into separate novels if given the chance. The last two short stories were not my favorites, but the others were page turning joy. My favorite story in this collection was, "Worship For Shut-ins." I also enjoyed and laughed aloud to the first story, "Trim and Notions." Highly recommend, especially if you also enjoy the short story.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of stories. While linked through themes, each story stands on its own. The themes are not so similar that every story feels the same. In fact, the stories are told from a variety of perspectives, which makes the collection varied and interesting. Many of the stories have a dark aspect to them, which I appreciate.
Meacham has a gift for dialogue and for comedic situations that are funny and poignant. There were many characters to identify with. Many of the stories, such as the first one "Trim and Notions," made me wish they were novels. I wanted to spend a lot more time with those characters and see what happened.
I hope she publishes another book soon!

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise. The stories were short, well written pieces with humor laced with a little vinegar. Not all of the people are heroes......most of them are struggling to find order in their lives along with a little love.

[Jenny Draxler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Dr. Meacham is a professor of mine, I am grateful to have read her short stories. Many of the short stories in this book are hilarious and connects with readers in a way that they can relate to the character's lives. I hope to read more of Dr. Meacham's work in the near future.