Ordinary Life: Stories

Digital audiobook narrated by Laura Hicks.

This is a collection of short stories exploring the role of women and their relationships in contemporary America.

Berg writes wonderfully about these women. I understand their frustrations and share their hopes, empathize with their pain and disappointments, and celebrate their triumphs and joys. There are moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, and moments that quiet my soul and cause me to reflect. Some scenes are almost unbearably tender, and a few made me feel uncomfortably like a voyeur.

Her characters are familiar; we all know (or actually are) women like this. Their lives may be “ordinary” … the stories, and this collection, are NOT.

I could not help but think of my late friend show more Sally, who first introduced me to Berg years ago. I can picture her sitting on my patio during book club and exclaiming, “You haven’t read Elizabeth Berg!?!” Thank you, my friend; I miss your recommendations, but at least I have plenty more of Elizabeth Berg’s books to read.

The audiobook is performed by Laura Hicks, who does a marvelous job. She really brings these characters to life. show less

A pleasant collection of short stories that focus on domestic life--children to parents, parents to children, and, most often, adults long married figuring out how to stay together in a way that makes sense. They are satisfying stories as almost every single one comes to a sensible resolution, a slight improvement in whatever the conflict was to begin with. I did tire, however, of some of the stereotypes, especially in the husband-wife relationships. Berg doesn't seem to get that plenty of what goes on has more to do with character than gender. The only talkative man is a gay one and that just didn't do it for me. Having said that some of the conflicts described hit the bull's eye. These are stories that will make you sniffle a little, show more cringe a little, then end in an upbeat swing. Berg is a dependable, earnest observer of "ordinary" lives, the middle of the middle, striving, hoping and struggling to make sense when "happy" turns out to have more to do with being content with what you have than what you don't have.
***1/2 show less

As the title suggests the book is a collection of stories about ordinary life or actually about the disruptions in ordinary life that make one appreciate the mundane. One minor complaint is that men, particularly husbands, are presented seemingly overly silent and withdrawn.

Most of these stories are melancholy but so very real and riveting in an everyday kind of way. I still think Berg is one of the most talented authors out there.

I don't often read short stories, but this is one of my favorite authors. The stories were solid, but as usual with short stories, I'm left wanting more.

Ordinary Life: Stories, Elizabeth Berg's collection of short stories, will speak those of us who have experienced marriage, disappointment, child-rearing, joy, despair, childhood, fear, illness, humor, disillusionment and enduring love . . among other emotions evocative of the human condition.

There was not a single story (of the fourteen) that I couldn't relate to - in one way or another. Ms. Berg is another author I "stumbled upon" - only to find that I'd found a gifted wordsmith with an amazing ability to paint (amazing!) pictures with her words.

Ms. Berg's short stories revolve around "everyday/ordinary" people . . we all have family, friends and neighbors who will come to mind as each story unfolds.

This was a short read . . almost show more too short, simply because I enjoyed them - one and all. Highly recommended. show less

WONDERFUL collection of short stories, showing the extraordinary in 'ordinary' lives. Ms. Berg writes truthfully, and beautifully.

If you like this, check out her other short story collection,
"The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: And Other Small Acts of Liberation".