The Fireman's Wife: And Other Stories [Hardcover]

Richard Bausch (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In these 10 stories, some of which first appeared in the New Yorker , Esquire and the Atlantic Monthly , Bausch ( Mr. Field's Daughter ) displays a powerful and consistent talent. The title story and its sequel, "Consolation," examine the lives of two firemen and their wives, before and after tragedy. "Luck" is narrated by the son of an alcoholic housepainter. When his father disappears on another bender, leaving him to finish a big job, he is astonished to discover that the rich man who had hired them considers him the lucky one. In the final tale, "Letter to the Lady of the House," Bausch has created something exquisite in the form of a letter from a man of 70 to his wife of nearly 50 years. Written in the night, after "another of those long, silent evenings after an argument (remember?) over pepper," the letter is a profound declaration of love and understanding. Inventing remarkable, ordinary folks whose lives seize our attention, Bausch tells graceful, shapely stories, impressive in their sweep, deeply moving, insightful and witty. Two of these stories have been chosen for Best American Short Stories 1990.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The epigraph for this collection of ten stories is a brief quotation from Keats--"Happy love, more happy, happy love." Bausch does indeed portray the joys of marriage and family life, but he also reveals the pain lurking just below the surface. In "Wedlock" the levity of a honeymoon night suddenly turns mean. In "Equity" three adult daughters must cope with a senile mother who previously supported them through divorces, nervous breakdowns, and other crises. Most of the stories have contemporary urban settings, but "Old West" is a retelling of the Shane story that takes away all of the legendary gunfighter's heroism. Bausch's well-crafted stories should have wide appeal. Bausch is the author of Take Me Back ( LJ 2/15/81), which received a Pen/Faulkner Award Citation, plus numerous other novels, including the recent Mr. Field's Daughter ( LJ 5/15/89). His latest story collection was Spirits and Other Stories ( LJ 6/1/87).
- Albert E. Wilhelm, Tennessee Technological Univ., Cookeville
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 219 pages
• Publisher: Linden Pub; First edition (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067166137X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671661373
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,618,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pictures painted in subtle brush strokes, June 18, 2001

By 

LaLoren - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fireman's Wife And Other Stories (Norton Paperback Fiction) (Paperback)

As I read these stories I had to constantly remind myself that the author was a man. This is because, not only are most of the stories written from a woman's viewpoint, but it is done so convincingly. I often found myself nodding in the way you do, when someone has gotten it "so right."

I have read women writers who don't do this nearly so well. That is because they insist on painting their pictures with the broad brush strokes of major events--the death of a parent; the breakup of a relationship; recovered memory of past abuse; and, often times, all three at once. But Bausch relies on subtle brush strokes. The only death that occurs is related second-hand, and plays only a supporting roll in the story of the pending break-up of a marriage. Mostly, he writes about the every day things, visits with in-laws, the weekly gathering of friends, things that would not cause the outsider to see anything abnormal. Yet, through subtle clues, like one wife choosing to leave !the group and go to bed, we learn, that everything is not fine. Indeed, there is trouble on the horizon.

If you require major plot lines,and exciting endings, you'll want to pass on this one. But if you are someone who enjoys the true art of short stories, you need to read this. Indeed, Bausch's work could serve as an example of what short story writing should be.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bausch does an excellent job of pulling you into his stories, October 14, 1999

By 

Emily (Knoxville,TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fireman's Wife And Other Stories (Norton Paperback Fiction) (Paperback)

Richard Bausch's collection of short stories are really great to read as in-betweens. My required reading for classes keeps me busy, but I can hardly wait to grab a minute to read another. "Missy"(which is not included in this collection) is great for the short story lover.