In the Bedroom (Paperback)

by Andre Dubus (Author) "On the August morning when Matt Fowler buried his youngest son, Frank, who had lived for twenty-one years, eight months, and four days, Matt's older..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mary Ann, Father Paul, Father's Story (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
?Dubus is the sort of writer who instructs the heart.? ?The Atlantic Monthy

?It is a rare thing to admire an artist from a distance and upon meeting him not be disillusioned. After meeting Andre my admiration for his courage, talent, and humanity grew tenfold. . . . If you have never read him, get ready?you will never be the same again.? ?Todd Field, from the Preface

?The lives of his characters become part of any close reader?s permanent bank of important memories.? ?The Boston Globe

?Like Chekhov?s, Dubus?s best stories contain the arc of a whole life in the language of specific moments.? ?The Village Voice -- Review

Review
“Dubus is the sort of writer who instructs the heart.” –The Atlantic Monthy

“It is a rare thing to admire an artist from a distance and upon meeting him not be disillusioned. After meeting Andre my admiration for his courage, talent, and humanity grew tenfold. . . . If you have never read him, get ready–you will never be the same again.” –Todd Field, from the Preface

“The lives of his characters become part of any close reader’s permanent bank of important memories.” –The Boston Globe

“Like Chekhov’s, Dubus’s best stories contain the arc of a whole life in the language of specific moments.” –The Village Voice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (January 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400030773
• ISBN-13: 978-1400030774
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #235,004 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bewitching, June 20, 2003

By	Peggy Vincent "author and reader" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Usually I shy away from short story collections, but a friend whose opinion I value highly recommended this book by the well-respected author, Andre Dubus. She was right. These 7 stories are masterful, displaying the quiet power within the decisions we make as we live through life's seemingly small moments. The award-winning movie titled In the Bedroom with Cissie Spacek was made from one of these stories.
A bewitching and profound collection that should be on every serious reader's bookshelf.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of Dubus's work, February 23, 2002

By	Kacey H. Kowars "kaceyk" (Powell, ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My first reaction to the title of the collection was one of skepticism. After all, the story the movie IN THE BEDROOM is based on is the short story KILLINGS. I feared this was a hastily put-together collection designed to cash in on the film's success. I was wrong. The stories collected here are the some of the finest Dubus wrote. It is a perfect introduction to the new Dubus reader. If the reader enjoys this collection of seven stories, they will progress naturally to the SELECTED STORIES collection;then on to his non-fiction. It is a journey well worth taking. The established Dubus reader might enjoy the new book of tributes titled ANDRE DUBUS: TRIBUTES. It is available on Amazon. Contributors include Tobias Wolff, James Lee Burke, Andre Dubus 111, Frederick Busch, and many other fine writers.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and poignant stories that capture the human soul, July 2, 2006

By	Schtinky "Schtinky" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Andre Dubus, better known for his full length novel 'House Of Sand And Fog' is a talented writer with the ability to capture the human condition. Even if you did not care for 'House Of Sand And Fog', you should not let it stop you from picking up this thin but sumptuous collection of shorts.

These seven stories will leave you immersed in a sea of emotion: love, regret, loss, hatred, hopelessness, bitterness, and beauty. Even in the worst of moments, Dubus has a knack for capturing the beauty of passion and sentiment.

1 - Killings
2 - The Winter Father
3 - Rose
4 - The Fat Girl
5 - Delivering
6 - A Father's Story
7 - All The Time In The World

My favorites were 'Killings', 'Rose', 'The Fat Girl', and 'A Father's Story'. The other stories were a bit dry or vague, but the four mentioned are as rich as chocolate cheesecake served with a mocha and whipped cream.

'Killings' is primarily a story of a father's loss, losing a son to a do-nothing killer who is set free on bail to continue his life as the father grieves. 'Rose' is a tale of a beaten-down woman's ultimate sacrifice for her children. 'The Fat Girl' tells of the difficulties of change, and of how we are always who we are in our hearts. 'A Father's Story' revisits parental sacrifice, but this time in the form of an ordinary, loving father.

I believe this collection deserves more attention than it has been given. The good stories are truly well-written, beautiful pieces. 'In The Bedroom' is a collection that, no matter your genre of preference, you will be glad that you took the time to read. Enjoy!