Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"By far, the author is at his sharpest and most compelling when writing of adolescence." Book, May/June 2001*
,Chris Borris
Review
"David Ebershoff's tender and darkly funny collection of stories, which concerns itself for the most part with young gay men, is filled with moments like this: people try to claim a measure of control over their lives, only to be undermined by moments of bumbling shame." New York Times Book Review, 05/27/2001*
,Charles Wilson
Review
"[S]even poignant and intimate short stories....The self-consciousness of an angst-ridden adolescent is a recurring theme. Only Roland's conversational voice stands out from the rest. This should not detract from the merits of Ebershoff's sensitive and delicately wrought style....After his much-praised first novel, The Danish Girl, he has written a thoughtful, tender work which also merits success." Times Literary Supplement, 09/28/2001*
,Alastair Sooke
Review
"Those craving inspirational or upbeat stories of queer empowerment should look elsewhere, but Ebershoff delivers a bouquet of vivid, hard-edged characters plagued by all-too-human frailties." Publishers Weekly
Agent, Elaine Koster
Synopsis
A Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Winner of The Ferro-Grumley Award for Gay Fiction Award-winning short stories from the author of The Danish Girl and Pasadena
"Passion for us all will remain a troublesome thing."
The Rose City combines a collection of unforgettable characters with Ebershoff's trademark emotional insight and intelligent prose in seven stories about young men and boys as they discover and rediscover themselves in a world that never really works out as planned. Often tragic but lacking in despair, The Rose City delves into the tribulations of youth, identity, sexuality - and longing for something just out of reach. Written with compassion and truth, these stories present characters who live at the margins of the world at the moment they take their first steps toward acceptance and love.
About the Author
David Ebershoff is the publishing director of the Modern Library, a division of Random House, Inc. He is the author of the international bestseller The Danish Girl and visiting lecturer at Princeton University.