In the brilliant opening story, "The Shared Patio", a woman longs to share her neighbor's life, but learns that her fantasy of him has no resemblance to reality. In "The Swim Team", a young woman teaches three elderly citizens in a town with no water how to swim. A man who works at a leather factory gets set-up by his co-worker for a date that never arrives in "The Sister". In "Something That Needs Nothing", a young woman's job at a peep show changes her identity in the eyes of her friend, allowing their relationship to take a different course.
In these stories, Miranda July shows a remarkable skill for inhabiting the hearts and minds of a varied cast of characters, imbuing them with a tenderness and humanity that is the mark of a great writer.
©2007 Miranda July; (P)2007 Simon & Schuster Audio
"One of the best"
Having listened to audiobooks for over twenty years, this is one of the best. Wanted to re-start it after it was finished. The author paints unbelievable secnarios, that stretch the imagination. Ordinary thoughts suddenly have extraordinary outcomes. Characters are complex, disturbing and likeable. It has been a along time since I have been so in awe of sheer writing.
"Brilliant."
A wonderful collection of stories that could only have been written by Miranda July. The entire audiobook is filled with her unique brand of awkward comedy. As strange as it may be, it almost feels organic, as if these were real stories, filled with details.
No one else could have read it as well as she did. Must have for any Miranda July fan.
"Like David Foster Wallace"
Yes because Miranda July describes people's interior mental states as well as anyone besides David Foster Wallace. On that score, she's even better than George Saunders.
I have the best job ever, they pay me for reading :) I manage book clubs, from the book selection, to the discussions.
"You'll never get what you expect"
This is a great audiobook
She has the capacity of twisting the stories in a way you never know what to expect. Her characters are deeply complex.
One of the best things of the book is the fact the author is reading her stories.
It is a book you can listen story by story, but you need to listen to the complete story before pausing it.