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Claire Messud described Erin McGraw's last collection of stories as "at once laugh-out-loud funny and utterly serious, [exploring] life's profundity through its details." This is even more true with McGraw's new collection, Joy. In these very short stories, narrators step out of themselves to explain their lives to us, sometimes defensively, sometimes regretfully, other times deceitfully. Voices include those of the impulsive first-time murderer, the depressed pet sitter, the assistant of Patsy Cline, the anxiety-riddled new mother, the aged rock-and-roller, the girlfriend of your husbandhuman beings often (incredibly) unaware of the turning points staring them in the face. Crossing time, states, class, and religions, McGraw's stories are on the edge, causing you to wince even as you laugh. And McGraw will draw you to a deep need to read some sentences alouda sweet voice, a shrewd insight, some uneasy charm.… (more)
User reviews
Erin McGraw has written a strong & poignant collection of stories. They touch on subjects such as family, grief, love, and the roads not taken. Fair warning-unlike other short story collections, each piece in here lasts for only 3-4 pages. Some of the pieces, in particular “Comfort (1) & (2)” “Haircut”, “Spice” and “Hope” stayed with me long after I had started the next piece, and those short stories I would gladly read a full novel abou