Confessions of a Falling Woman

by Debra Dean

A collection of short stories from the acclaimed author of The Madonnas of LeningradThis collection of short stories by Debra Dean, author of critically acclaimed novel 'The Madonnas of Leningrad', explores turning points in lives on the brink of change.Each of the characters she brings to vivid life in these pages is either facing up to, or coming to terms with, a significant moment in their lives – from the prodigal daughter returning home for an intervention with her domineering alcoholic mother, to a woman unexpectedly rediscovering love with her ex-husband. In writing that is by turns sharply observed and delicately nuanced, Dean brings into focus shifting spectrum of human emotions. Yet there is nothing sensational about these stories – rather they centre on the quiet moments when reflection gives way to moments of like the narrator in 'Confessions of a Falling Woman', writing to her ex-husband years after their separation in order to lay to rest the tragic death of their daughter and set the record straight as she faces up to an illness of her own; or the best man at a wedding letting go of the lingering feelings he harboured for a previous life. Among these poignant vignettes, there are also flashes of humour. 'What the Left Hand Is Saying' is a caustic tale of a group of housemates who are brought together – and ultimately betrayed – by a visitor who enchants them with a Pied Piper-like charm, while 'The Afterlife of Lyle Stone' is a darkly comic tale of one man's nervous breakdown.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literary Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Debra Dean is the bestselling author of four critically acclaimed books that have been published in twenty-two languages. Her debut novel, THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD, was a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a #1 Booksense Pick, a Booklist Top Ten Novel, and an American Library Association Notable Book of the Year. Her newest book is HIDDEN TAPESTRY: JAN YOORS, HIS TWO WIVES, AND THE WAR THAT MADE THEM ONE.

A native of Seattle, Debra lives in Miami and teaches at Florida International University. She loves to talk with book groups. You can find her at https://www.debradean.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/debradeanauthor.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new book of short stories that I chose solely based on the title, which sounded interesting. There were two stories in particular that really stood out for me, the one about the puppeteer and the one about the actor auditioning for a commercial in which he needs to wear a rat costume. I liked the quirkiness in many of the stories, and found all the stories easily readable. (I think my lower rating of this book is due only to my low enthusiasm for short stories right now.) I liked her writing quite a bit, and I am now planning to read her novel, Madonnas of Leningrad.

[Gail Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

After having read "The Madonnas of Leningrad" and loving it, I had high hopes of loving this book also. I'm not usually a huge fan of short stories and that may have colored my opinion. I found that I really enjoyed most of the characters in each of the stories but in every story I was left hanging. There wasn't a conclusion to the stories that left me feeling cheated. I would just get to know the character and then it was over leaving me to come to my own conclusion. I understand this as a writing style but my pleasure from reading comes from learning a whole story and hopefully learning something from human nature.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing particularly special here, but definitely a quick, enjoyable read. Maybe meant more for the middle aged set potentially dealing with failure or sense of failure and depression (but definitely not at all upsetting eventhough it deals with those topics -- I guess it's a little pedestrian in the way it looks at them). Overall fun.

[Cristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very surprised the the author was married - though I am still guessing that she has been hurt/abandoned earlier in life, or possibly witnessed her parents' marriage fail. I am not at all surprised that she was an actor (specifically, a "failed" actor).

[Katherine LeBlanc- Paquette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was easy reading. Not a cant put down until I am done book but good for when you only have a few minutes to read.

[Ketevan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposed to be edgy but just a giant collection of white women whining about their lives.

The last story was for some reason about a man, it dragged on for 100 pages. Almost dnf but slogged through.

After a complaint about how gentrification wasn’t actually that good at keeping poor people out, it culminated in a deluded wealthy white man beating the crap out of an innocent black teenager and this functions as a stop along the path to some meaningless realization about his sad life.

[Indy Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean is an accomplished author as anyone who can hold the reader’s interest in a short story has my vote. One is limited in a short story and yet Dean manages to engage the reader skilfully from start to finish.

[Carly Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crushed this in a day. Incredible.

[Maria Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Anyway, here’s to family, wherever we may find them.”

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I ever had this on my shelf to read.

[Crystal (Goddess in the Stacks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the title intrigued me. I was expecting a book of short stories on a theme, being Falling Women, and instead I got a book of short stories by an author, one of them being from a divorced, adulterous ex-wife. For all that it wasn't what I was expecting, and was not my usual fare, I was impressed by the quality of the writing and the emotions behind the stories. Most of the stories are tiny vignettes - glimpses into other people's lives. The last story is a much longer story about a washed-up actor. The book is short, but still manages to cram in nine stories in 135 pages, with the tenth consuming 90 pages on its own.

The book begins with "What the Left Hand Is Saying," about the people living in an apartment building coming together to form a community. "The Queen Mother" descibes a Southern Matriarch getting an intervention for her alcoholism. "The Afterlife of Lyle Stone" is a bizarre little story that I'm still not entirely sure what to make of. "A Brief History of Us" reads like a woman talking to her shrink about her family's history. "Another Little Piece," "Romance Manual," "The Best Man," "The Bodhisattva," and "Confessions of a Falling Woman" all deal with varying aspects of love and romance. The crowning story of the collection is "Dan in the Gray Flannel Rat Suit" about a washed-up actor realizing he's washed-up.

This was a decent collection. It's not my normal cup of tea, though her novel looks vaguely interesting (The Madonnas of Leningrad). I'll probably only pick up Madonnas if I happen to see it on the library shelf when picking up other things. If you're into contemporary fiction, though, this might be worth a shot.

You can find all my reviews at Goddess in the Stacks.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read The Madonna's of Leningrad, then you are aware that Dean is a masterful writer. Her images carry a soft a ha and a tug at the heart that leaves you knowing that you can relate to her characters.

This is a series of short stories, each one independent of one another, yet connected by the thread of likeable, sometimes foolish folks simply trying to get by the best they can.

I know I'm reading a good book when I stop to think of similar situations/circumstances I've experienced and my mind weaves back along the path of a lost love, a troubled relationship long overdue the breakup deadline, a problematic, self absorbed parent or friend who drove me crazy, yet in the end required a modicum of dignity and respect, and situations when I stubbornly felt beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was absolutely right, yet needed to shift a paradigm when confronted with additional insight.

This is a gem of a book wherein you savor the exceptional writing and long for it not to end.

Highly recommended!!

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best line:
That's the wonderful thing about writing, I suppose. There's no one there to talk back to you.

I don't believe in luck; I believe that people get what they deserve.

You must be wondering why I am trying to contact you now, after all this time. Perhaps it will strike you as a thoughtless invasion of your privacy, or worse, a deliberate unkindness, an attempt to open up old wounds.

Here it is: I want you to hear me out. An apology is a limp thing, I know that, and its late by about eleven years, but here it is.

I suppose the odds are against me, but then I don't believe in odds anymore. I believe it could just as easily go my way as not.

I would never have been able to explain the fact of you in my life. Just pure dumb luck. You needn't write back. If you hear me, that's more than enough.

The thing I want to say -- the world would be empty without you-- i can't seem to say, even though its true.

[Jyoti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked the writer's attention to her characters. Each story connected me with its characters much like Jhumpa Lahiri's stories have done in the past. Some stories ended abruptly but while the read was on, they were all involving. Some stories were about actors and their lives, going over their insecurities, poor income, ill treatment by selectors, their odd roles and yet they read so real that I didn't feel a disconnect. Dean herself was an actor so understandably knew her characters' fears or triumphs well. Those that weren't about actors were also sensitive portrayals...between spouses or parents and children so I could picture it all. I'll be looking for more by the author.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this collection of short stories, Dean tells the unremarkable stories of completely unremarkable people, but in a way that totally draws you into their stories. Somehow, in the span of about 10 pages, you completely know these characters, understand their struggles (or lack of), and still feel their stories are complete in the end. I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for Dean's new novel to be available. She is definitely one of my favorite authors now!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising little batch of stories. These are easy and quick to read, yet each gives us a good solid sketch of the main character. They are written with humor and sympathy. There are heart-stopping moments as well.

I like that these stories are written with a wry humor but it isn't the sort of "women's humor" I have suffered through with some other writers. It's universal. I might even go out and pick up her novel.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a relaxing read. I enjoy short stories--I can cram in a few minutes of reading here and there and actually feel like I accomplished something. I particularly enjoyed the depth of the characters and the emotion the writer conveys. The final story is a little slow, but the others are really quite good.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend is reading another book by this author "The Madonnas of Leningrad" and I was going to get it but it was not in at the library. So I got this other book by her instead. It is a collection of 10 short stories, a couple were ok, but the rest.......well, not very interesting.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wished some of these stories were longer or entire novels. some were way to short. very enjoyable

[Sandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most short story collections, some good, some so-so. A good dramatic mix of subject matter: a daughter's view of her mom's intervention, a lawyer questioning his reality.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small book of short stories - good, quick read. Style like I could have written them, however. Not a finely honed craft yet.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy short stories. Some of these are good. "Dan in the grey flannel rat suit" was better than the title story.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book! I will read it again and again!

[Becky Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not as amazing as her other book, The Madonnas of Leningrad, but it was still worth reading. Poignant, character-driven stories.

[Dgoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories are not something I read often, so I must say that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed these.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short stories. Not great though

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Debra Dean's "The Madonnas of Leningrad". Although her writing in this book is also very enjoyable, I think perhaps I am not such a fan of short stories with ambiguous endings.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent all 10 stories are well done

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. Easy to read and funny in bits.