Customer Reviews

Drunk with Love: A Book of Stories

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ellen Gilchrist is, along with Alice Munro, one of the best short story writers alive. The point of view in these brilliant snapshots of "the irrational, the inconsistent, the droll, even the insane" glides easily from a young girl to a middle-aged man to an abused wife. It's all done with such grace and humour and, above all, attention to the craft of writing that it's hard to understand why Gilchrist isn't up there with the "masters" of the short story such as Carver and Poe. I thoroughly recommend this book, for yourself or as a gift. Fabulous.

Gilchrist's work can get old. She has quaint, mean-spirited stereotypes of almost every ethnicity and race. She really goes at Jews and Blacks. This book has a truly evil Arab man.

While her southern Episcopals may be naive, shallow alcoholics, they generally possess intelligence, culture and are affluent. Her Blacks are usually stupid and kind-hearted women or rough, big Black men.

Because her writing is minimalist, the lack of depth to characters makes her stereotypes more difficult to swallow. Her stories are generally entertaining but also troubling and sad. The protagonist generally has a weak moral fiber and an obvious flaw.

I don't know if critics have been picking up on the apparent prejudice in Gilchrist's writing, but it seems very evident to me.

Enchanting and beautifully written short stories. Interesting characters.