The Rose City: Stories

by David Ebershoff

Written with understanding and familiarity, these seven stories present characters who are coming into their own as they discover and rediscover themselves. In "Chuck Paa," a young man in flight from his mother seeks and finds employment in an upscale world, which can never quite become his own. The title story, "The Rose City," tells how a shared lost love brings together two friends who reunite to reflect on their past, their present, and what lies ahead. With the same insight and daring of The Danish Girl, The Rose City secures David Ebershoff's reputation as a writer of rare talent and sensitivity.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, LGBT, Gay

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2001

About the author

David Ebershoff is the author of four books, including The Danish Girl, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film, and the #1 bestseller The 19th Wife, which was adapted for television. In 2017 the New York Times named The Danish Girl one of the 25 books that have shaped LGBTQ literature in the past twenty years. David is Vice President and Executive Editor at Hogarth Books and Random House, where he edits a wide-range of prize-winning and bestselling authors of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Reviews

[Nicholas George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories, written in the late 90s, all feature gay men (or boys) trying to come to terms with their sexuality in a time when closet doors still could not be fully opened, even in the relatively urban expanse of Pasadena, the 'Rose City' of the title that is also a unifying element. It is strange that stories barely fifteen years old can seem dated; it's a testament to how far society's acceptance of gays (at least in the U.S.) have come. Yet the confusion, bewilderment and angst experienced by these characters is probably still there, if only in a mutated version.

[Bikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the story telling within each short story even when I didn't relate or even like that story. The world continues to evolve, but finding yourself is never easy and reading these stories gave me some small glimpse of what it might be like for someone different than me...even if they are fiction. So this book did what I look for in many things I read...it made me think.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in 2016 a USA reviewer on GR wrote:

'The stories, written in the late 90s, all feature gay men (or boys) trying to come to terms with their sexuality in a time when closet doors still could not be fully opened, even in the relatively urban expanse of Pasadena, the 'Rose City' of the title that is also a unifying element. It is strange that stories barely fifteen years old can seem dated; Yet the confusion, bewilderment and angst experienced by these characters is probably still there, if only in a mutated version.Yet the confusion, bewilderment and angst experienced by these characters is probably still there, if only in a mutated version.'

If ever there was a warning against complacency that statement 'It is strange that stories barely fifteen years old can seem dated; it's a testament to how far society's acceptance of gays (at least in the U.S.) have come.' I don't imagine anyone would make that statement today. I have to say that I didn't find these stories dated when I read them five years ago - I think we are a long way from sexuality being untroubled - that we in parts of Europe and elsewhere are not, currently, following American trends back into the dark ages doesn't mean the chill of repression is not there. It is never easy to be different and probably will remain so as long as the various sky gods who preach intolerance are finally consigned to history's dust bin.

I liked these stories but they have not given me the desire to read the authors more famous novel.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get along with this book. I'm not a huge fan of short-story collections anyway. I think it is very difficult to create a set of short stories that are sufficiently different whilst linking them together and I really don't think Ebershoff succeeded. The stories in themselves were fine (if a little dull) and the characters in themselves were fine but it seemed to me that the character was much the same in each story, merely transported in time and place. None of the characters captured my attention - another problem when you are only introduced to a snapshot of them. The writing itself was good though. All in all, a disappointing read, although I'm sure that it has more to do with my issue with short-stories than Ebershoff's abilities.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ebershoff cements his reputation as one of the most exciting writers of my generation in this elegant collection of short stories dealing with relationships from the perspective of a gay lifestyle. He writes with much grace and understanding, offering sympathetic portrayals of gay characters ranging in age from ten to forty eight. It's one of the best recent collection of short stories I've read, rising close in stature to Rick Moody's "Demonology". Having enjoyed both "The Danish Girl" and now, "The Rose City", I eagerly await reading Ebershoff's next novel.

(Reposted from my 2002 Amazon review)

[Lyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must-read for short story lovers, especially if you are interested in some gay themes

[Steig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great gift from a great friend. Not usually a 'short story fan', but a very relatable selection for me.

[pjr8888 · Rating 3 out of 5]

melancholy stories, moving towards hopeless...

[J. Parra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich panorama full of nuanced observations about gay life and coming of age. The story "Regime", in particular, hit me like a ton of bricks.

[Stephen Soucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dress! Love this short story.