Failure Pie in a Sadness Face: New and Selected Stories

by Brian Alan Ellis

This expanded edition of Failure Pie in a Sadness Face, a finalist in the fall 2016 Civil Coping Mechanisms Mainline manuscript contest, features 24 previously uncollected Brian Alan Ellis stories, as well as 5 hand-picked favorites, with special bonus material!

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2017

About the author

BRIAN ALAN ELLIS runs House of Vlad Press, and is the author of several books, including Sad Laughter (Civil Coping Mechanisms, 2018). His writing has appeared at Juked, Hobart, Monkeybicycle, Fanzine, Electric Literature, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Funhouse, Heavy Feather Review, and Queen Mob’s Tea House, among other places. He lives in Florida, and tweets sad and clever things at both @brianalanellis and @HouseofVlad.

Reviews

[Ira Rat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing short stories, with interesting perspectives. Reads like Bukowski on psych meds.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the funnest piece of sadness I've seen in a while. That sounds weird, but it's true. You just feel good reading it, down as it all is. Then you think you're maybe feeling just a but better about yourself because you're doing just a but better, only to realize that's crap and there's something tough waiting outside for you too. Then it's the compassion that's there for you in the pieces, because that's somehow there despite the numbness. But it doesn't really matter because it's good stuff that makes you feel good and makes you think, but not more of that thinking that hurts thinking. Which is good, because there's too much of that already.

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and fragmented read that lingers in your mind long after you're done.

Brian Alan Ellis isn't exactly redefining the scope of what he's doing in this collection, but he offers a strong and refined flurry of thoughts about old television shows, rugged co-workers, devouring self-awareness and technology. It feels quite serious and tormented for a Brian Alan Ellis release. He keeps drawing much clearer parallels between the entertainment he overdoses on daily and his own life, which makes FAILURE PIE IN A SADNESS FACE quite melancholic. But Ellis is great at melancholy. Another sharp, readable and sneaky deep collection of pseudo-poems.

[Benjamin DeVos · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a person who is sad, this book is like water in the desert. It’s pretty good if you’re happy, too.

[Meg Tuite · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAE 'yes, that's what it means' is a manic movement (bowel, or otherwise) where nothing is constipated, everything is cutting in and out of lanes of forlorn ALF nostalgia, the scars we rack up as humans and how salvageable we become knowing that Ellis is out there and writing his magic. He ignites the bullshit, rearranges the detritus of us. I am a fan and here are some quotes from this mesmerizing collection I read through in one sitting!
"ALF was Bukowski for kids (he even resembles Bukowski physically)..."
"but if I ever do have children I might consider naming them after different versions of Windows.."
"It's almost endearing how often Clem loses other people's money."
"..and Death will probably roll up in an Uber so please bury me inside a coffin that's really just a custom-made replica of a plastic Judas Priest 'British Steel' cassette tape case from the '80's, and don't forget the insert, and if I ever get a car I'm going to hang a miniature garbage can from the rear view mirror and tell people it's my 'dream catcher'....."
So great!!! Get a copy! LOVE!

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just good. It's honest, it's unique, it's Brian Alan Ellis and nobody else. These kind of books are great to me because they really capture a specific context in a super clear and funny way. LOL'd a lot, would recommend.

[David Catney · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked reading this. i want to slap Brian Alan Ellis a shitty high-five. like two dead fish connecting.

[KKUURRTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand how anyone could give this less than five stars. Did they read it? Maybe it wasn't for them, and they were offended by something in it or one of the more depressing stories hit too close to home, and they shouldn't have been even reading it in the first place. Cowards give four stars to perfection. BA Ellis or as I like to call him BA Baracus has put together the best short story collection since Issue #1 of The Kenyon Review. Lol.

[Derick · Rating 4 out of 5]

"my feelings taste like great value-brand mac and cheese"

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read that stays with you. Just like the little voice we all have inside of our heads. Ellis writes the things none of us have the courage to admit! Excellent read!

[Sheldon Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Alan Ellis never fails to entertain. He never forgets about this when writing, and it's a quality I wish more authors had. Thank the literary gods for Brian. Let's offer up a tiny prayer to them that he continues writing books and stories for years and years to come. We need them. They're important.

[AutomaticSlim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to gasp for air after finishing each story here. I wonder if Ellis is as aggravating and exhausting as his writing. Whew. Pretty cool though.

Round up 4

[Colby Barrios · Rating 3 out of 5]

me when i'm depressed

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oxymoronically delighted

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