Synopses & Reviews
Fiction. Short Stories. Denial, God, dystopia, academia, and reality TV collide in acclaimed author Elizabeth Crane's third collection of stories. YOU MUST BE THIS HAPPY TO ENTER exists in a world very much like our own but infused with more joy and magic. It's a place where the happy are jailed, the sincere cause confusion, and pop culture so seamlessly melds with real life that characters can walk right out of the television and come live with you. These stories aim to convey something fresh in literature: utter sincerity. With a trademark mix of hyperreality, humor, and heartfelt emotion, Crane asks readers to connect with the loopy ways of her characters. Even though they're occasionally severed from reality, they still seem to know something you don't about keeping upbeat in a strange and crumbling environment. Elizabeth Crane is the author of two previous story collections, and her work has been featured in numerous publications including the Chicago Reader and The Believer, as well as several anthologies.
Synopsis
Whether breathlessly enthusiastic, serenely calm, or really concentrating right now on their personal zombie issues, Elizabeth Crane's happy cast explores the complexities behind personal satisfaction.
Synopsis
"Crane has a distinctive and eccentric voice that is consistent and riveting." --New York Times Book Review
Whether breathlessly enthusiastic, serenely calm, or really concentrating on their personal zombie issues, Crane's happy cast explore the complexities behind personal satisfaction. You Must Be This Happy to Enter exists in a world very much like our own but infused with more joy and magic. It's a place where the happy are jailed, the sincere cause confusion, and pop culture so seamlessly melds with real life that characters can walk right out of the television and come live with you.
Crane's third collection aims to convey something fresh in literature: utter sincerity. With a trademark mix of hyperreality, humor, and heartfelt emotion, You Must Be This Happy to Enter asks readers to connect with the loopy ways of her characters. Because even though they're occasionally severed from reality, they still seem to know something you don't about keeping upbeat in a strange and crumbling environment.
The opening story features a woman who can speak only in exclamations. Betty may be a zombie on a reality TV show, but she's a woman willing to work on herself. Sally is just plain old freaking happy. (You shouldn't even read that story.) Another woman gives birth to a baby who turns into Ethan Hawke, but by golly, she's not going to let that stop her from being a good parent. What happens when a town turns transparent overnight? Do people run away just because they're basically naked? (No.) What would you do if your perfect man was jailed for being happy? What would you do if you had words on your forehead? (You'd use it to your advantage, that's what ) How does a couple manage their differences over bananas? (They freak out, and then they laugh. Do you have a better idea?)
Synopsis
Denial, God, dystopia, academia, and reality TV collide in acclaimed author Crane's third story collection.
About the Author
Elizabeth Crane was born and raised in New York City. Her writing has been featured in publications including Washington Square, New York Stories, Sycamore Review, Book, Florida Review, Eclipse, Bridge, Sonora Review, the Chicago Reader, Sleepwalk, the Believer, McSweeney's Future Dictionary of America, The Banana King, and All Hands On: The 2ndhand Reader. Betsy lives in Chicago with her husband and teaches writing at Northwestern's School of Continuing Studies and The University of Chicago.