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The Reasons I Won't Be Coming
by Elliot Perlman
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9781573223218 
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Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
The nine smart, thoughtful stories in this collection explore the complex worlds of lovers, poets, lawyers, immigrants, students, and murderers. They tell of corporate betrayals and lost opportunities, and the hopes, fears, and vagaries of desire. Witty, vulnerable, and honest, they display the same preoccupations that made Perlman's novel, Seven Types of Ambiguity, one of the most notable literary publications of 2004.
Review:
"Perlman's bestseller Seven Types of Ambiguity was published in December of last year; this set of nine stories, first published in Perlman's native Australia in 2000, works the peripheries of similar territory and reads like a very successful set of outtakes and trial runs. The coldly luminous opener, 'Good Morning, Again,' perfectly captures the rueful, moment-by-moment disappointment of waking up after an empty liaison that follows an intense relationship. In 'Manslaughter,' Perlman, who is a barrister, uses a jury's own observations of one another to mercilessly send up the deliberative process (or decided lack thereof). The chirpy, inarticulate legalese a probate lawyer uses to voice his despair at the loss of his daughter (and then his wife) is rendered dead-on, as is the corporate-speak a spurned lover resorts to in a letter-never-sent — style monologue. A drawn-out story of a mad poet's minor redemption falls flat, as does a grotesque featuring a young, unloved student named Spitalnic, who literally has a hole in his heart. But 'A Tale in Two Cities,' the final novella charting the limits of Jewish emigr resilience, is Perlman in full: mystery, tight dialogue, layers of irony. At his best, Perlman makes false reasoning testify eloquently." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
Review:
"[T]he simple truth is that even when it's wanting, Perlman's work surpasses that of many writers at their best." Boston Globe
Review:
"Perlman's plots seem effortless, which makes his surprises all the more affecting." New York Times
Review:
"At their best, these stories are like walking down the hallway of an old hotel and eavesdropping on sad confessions." Washington Post
Review:
"The nine stories serve as a varied introduction to an accomplished stylist and storyteller." Seattle Times
Review:
"Expansively written with admirable control and generous detail, this is an excellent collection." Library Journal
Review:
"Provocative and powerful fiction from one of the best new writers on the international scene." Kirkus Reviews
Review:
"With astonishing acuity, Perlman cleverly distills momentous issues to their quintessential core as he explores the tenuous nature of rational behavior in the face of impending emotional upheaval." Booklist
Synopsis:
The nine smart, thoughtful stories in this collection explore the complex worlds of lovers, poets, lawyers, immigrants, students, and murderers. They tell of corporate betrayals and lost opportunities, and the hopes, fears, and vagaries of desire.
Synopsis:
A collection of nine stories, full of passion and intelligence, from the author of the national bestseller Seven Types of Ambiguity.
The nine smart, thoughtful stories in this collection explore the complex worlds of lovers, poets, lawyers, immigrants, students, and murderers. They tell of corporate betrayals and lost opportunities, and the hopes, fears, and vagaries of desire. Witty, vulnerable, and honest, they display the same preoccupations that made Perlman's novel, Seven Types of Ambiguity, one of the most notable literary publications of 2004.
About the Author
Elliot Perlman was born in 1964. He lives in New York City and in Melbourne, where he works as a barrister.
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
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carolyn espe, February 21, 2007 (view all comments by carolyn espe)
Elliot Perlman captures your heart with this collection of short stories. To tears, you feel the pain and the fear of characters you know you met somewhere else. Each story is crafted so well; the narrator talks to you in a unique way to understand characters' ideas and choices. Demonstrating intense and uncomfortable relationships between people, Perlman shows an unprecedented sense of the human spirit and desires, whether confessional or discovering. When I finished, I wiped my tears and went for a walk in the sunshine, the collection is so powerful.
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DebOller, January 12, 2007 (view all comments by DebOller)
I found Perlman's writing to be very haunting. He writes as if he knows there is more he should say but isn't quite sure if the reader will understand. I think when he comes to terms with that, he is going to be a writer that does more than haunt you.
View all 2 comments
Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9781573223218
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Riverhead Hardcover
- Subject:
- Literary
- Subject:
- Social life and customs
- Subject:
- Short Stories (single author)
- Subject:
- Australia
- Copyright:
- 2005
- Publication Date:
- 20051201
- Binding:
- Hardback
- Grade Level:
- General/trade
- Language:
- English
- Pages:
- 288
- Dimensions:
- 9.24x6.60x1.01 in. 1.05 lbs.
