This book of short stories was apparently the author's break out book. The stories are mainly in New York, mostly involving women in masochistic relationships. The characters are often unpleasant, sometimes cringey. As a result, I couldn't read this book very fast.

But the writing is so good! I couldn't not finish it. ( )

“She was delicately morbid in all her gestures, sensitive, arrogant, vulnerable to flattery. She veered between extravagant outbursts of opinion and sudden, uncertain halts, during which she seemed to look to him for approval. She was in love with the idea of intelligence, and she overestimated her own. Her sense of the world, though she presented it aggressively, could be, he sensed, snatched out from under her with little or no trouble. She said, “I hope you are a savage.”

Unlikely couples, estranged families, lovers who have fallen victim to their vanity, egotism and various weaknesses. A superb, lively, gloomy merry-go-round within the heart of the capital of the world. New York during the 1980s is the perfect stage for stories that end with a sad 'what-if'. ''What if''...The saddest words in any language... ( )

Always an edge or an angle that is precious/ harsh/wonderful. Daisy's: odd chick in bookstore (strands?) gets picked up. all seems well, but they get yelled at by normal couple and she cries. why? Romantic Weekend: Sadist guys hooks up with masochist girl for wknd trip. but they can't seem to hit each others needs- both of which are tuned in to each other but not in the right way. so good. finally after utter failure, he thinks they might be able to make it work. sweet.
An affair: Guy remembers girl he was mean to in college and dumped. but he can't let go of her- she's the only real thing for him. He's a jerk. Connection: Woman remember being friends with girl in college and how she surpassed her. we think she loves her. ( )

Many characters packed into each story. The narration is very detached. ( )

Damn.....................In Gaitskill Veritas

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