Customer Reviews

11 Kinds of Loneliness

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To put it simply: you must read this book. It is the most depressing, uplifting, poignant, ironic book I've read. That may seem like a contradiction in terms, but if you've read the book you know what I'm talking about.

Richard Yates writes about ordinary men, women and children -- "loners" leading solitary existences. A few stories, such as "Doctor Jack-O'-Lantern" and "Jody Rolled the Bones", are filled with bittersweet humor; others, such as "Fun With a Stranger" are downright sad. But don't think Yates is some depressed, manic-depressive writer, because he's not. Rather, his words, his characters strike you in a way you never thought possible, making you want to read them over and over again.

A collection of short stories each portraying a different kind of loneliness. Yates' writing is nothing short of hyponotic. Every character let me into their little part of the world and showed their rawest and deepest emotion. As a writer, Yates honors his craft and I would suggest an aspiring writer to pick this up and learn from his work. Two of his stories had a profound effect me. The first one is about a young boy who starts at a new school and lies about everything. His situation was unique but reminescent of the feelings many of us had during those turbulent middle school years. The other story was about a guy writing stories for a cabbie. Eventually, the writer recognizes their "friendship" has no real foundation and the cabbie is a friend in name only. This slice from the scence of life is worth the read.

When you read a lot of books, whether they be good or bad, when something extremely well written comes along it stands out immediately. Whether it be a certain quality of writing, or the ability to connect emotionally, or cutting to the heart of the matter as simply as possible or an amalgamation of these, it is very special when they come along. `Eleven Kinds of Loneliness' is one of these books and by the time I had read the first short story on offer, I was held enthralled until I had reached the end. This has eleven short stories that are mainly based in and around New York and have a slight melancholy feel to them, the delicious kind that makes you feel nostalgic without the depression that can come after. The theme of loneliness, in all it's forms, runs through this book and many stories are immensely poignant. Yates has the ability to draw you in and to help you connect with the characters in the stories until you feel their sadness', triumphs and notice their positive traits and flaws within yourself. This is perfect to dip into when you need that hit of top class literature, but is just as good to sit and read from cover to cover in one sitting. It is American literature at it's best and highly recommended reading.

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I usually shy away from short story collections because I always feel like I've had a snack instead of a meal but Yates' stories are unexpectedly full and satisfying. He's so good at depicting time and place.....late 30's, 40's and 50's. His stories are grim as the title implies but they provide lots of insight into human motivations/feelings/relationships. These stories are well worth your reading time.

These stories will stay with me for the rest of my life, particularly "No Pain Whatsoever." Yates was a tremendously underrated writer, but hopefully won't stay that way. A must-read.

This collection is hands-down one of the best short-story collections I've read. Yates is a no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly skilled story teller with an intelligent voice who knows how to keep the reader genuinely engaged without sacrificing emotional depth or subtlety. Each and every story in this book is a winner: touching, honest, well-told, deeply felt. The collection is also a refreshing change from the morass of badly written contemporary short fiction that has taken the very worst from the minimalist movement (sometimes less IS less...). These are stories with meat on their bones--but no fat. HIGHLY recommended.

I usually shy away from short story collections because I always feel like I've had a snack instead of a meal but Yates' stories are unexpectedly full and satisfying. He's so good at depicting time and place.....late 30's, 40's and 50's. His stories are grim as the title implies but they provide lots of insight into human motivations/feelings/relationships. These stories are well worth your reading time.

Yates wrote eleven short stories about average people down on their luck or unable to connect with others, while trying desperately to do so. Some stories are better than others, but they all have very well defined characters who are unable to break the patterns that frustrate their lives, who mostly wouldn't know what to do with themselves were it not for booze and cigarettes.

Superlatives are so casually tossed about today that when true greatness comes knocking one is at a loss as to how to greet it. 11 Kinds of Loneliness is simply the best collection of short stories I have ever read. And like the very best collections it is varied in its characterizations and themes. And while set in a very particular time these working class and middle class voices--old and young-- are universally recognizable. Yes, there is much more than just loneliness in these pages--much, much more.

9 year olds try to maintain spirits and composure when they get the awful third grade teacher; draft inductees lose a hard-ass drill sergeant just as they were learning his value; a wife betrays and remains loyal to her invalided husband, simultaneously; a life full of disappointment spills into rage and the misfit middle schooler shows a propensity for even more disturbing behavior. All of the couples and individuals in these short stories are much more than lonely. Angry, confused, disappointed, dishonest or just trying to get along. They are ordinary and remarkable at the same time. And beautifully rendered.

These stories are exquisite in their masterful craft and understanding of the human condition. At a time when writing has become formulaic, we are treated with clear, crisp, intelligent storytelling that reaches in and touches the secret heart. Everyone will recognize the characters, their pain, disappointment, isolation and insulation; they are us.