Synopses & Reviews
The most daring voice of her generation, A. M. Homes writes with terrifying compassion about the things that matter most. Homes's distinctive narratives illuminate our dreams and desires, our memories and losses, and our profound need for connection, and demonstrate how extraordinary the ordinary can be. In "Chinese Lesson," we meet Geordie, a man watching over his wandering, senile mother-in-law by means of an electronic chip implanted in the back of her neck. In "Remedy," an advertising executive bolts from the city one afternoon for the imagined comfort of her childhood home and finds that her parents have allowed Ray, an eccentric wellness guru, to move in. Sexy and inspiring, "Georgica" offers a meditative narrative about one woman's unconventional strategy for getting pregnant. "The Former First Lady and the Football Hero" is the deeply moving, darkly comic story of a former First Lady's courage in dealing with the President as his mind slowly evaporates.
In these beautifully written stories, we find shapeshifters, children running headlong into the darkness of adolescent sexuality, a man passionately wanting to live but not knowing how. And, most important, we find ourselves. An expert literary witness, A. M. Homes takes us places we would not go alone and brings us back always with uncanny emotional accuracy, wit, and empathy. She is one of the master practitioners of American fiction, and Things You Should Know is a landmark collection.
Review
"This author's particular gifts are generally better displayed in novels....Far from perfect but never dull, and the author impresses as always with her willingness to take risks." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Haunting, disturbing, often radiantly intense, these protean stories change shape as if they are made of fire." Andrea Barrett
Synopsis
In this stunningly original collection, A. M. Homes writes with terrifying compassion about the things that matter most. Homes's distinctive narrative illuminates our dreams and desires, our memories and losses, and demonstrates how extraordinary the ordinary can be. With uncanny emotional accuracy, wit, and empathy, Homes takes us places we recognize but would rather not go alone.
Synopsis
A New York Times Notable Book
Haunting, disturbing, often radiantly intense, these protean stories change shape as if they are made of fire. They are on the side of things lost, they are pushed by the emergency of our lives--yet in the dazzle of their language there is a wonderful stillness, and consolation. -- Andrea Barrett
In this stunningly original collection, A. M. Homes writes with terrifying compassion about the things that matter most. Homes's distinctive narrative illuminates our dreams and desires, our memories and losses, and demonstrates how extraordinary the ordinary can be. With uncanny emotional accuracy, wit, and empathy, Homes takes us places we recognize but would rather not go alone.
--Robert Stone
Synopsis
In this stunningly original collection, A. M. Homes writes with terrifying compassion about the things that matter most. Homes's distinctive narrative illuminates our dreams and desires, our memories and losses, and demonstrates how extraordinary the ordinary can be. With uncanny emotional accuracy, wit, and empathy, Homes takes us places we recognize but would rather not go alone.
Table of Contents
The Chinese Lesson 1
Raft in Water, Floating 21
Georgica 29
Remedy 58
Rockets Round the Moon 91
Please Remain Calm 123
Things You Should Know 132
The Whiz Kids 135
Do Not Disturb 140
The Weather Outside is Sunny and Bright 167
The Former First Lady and the Football Hero 180