Customer Reviews

Jenny and the Jaws of Life: Short Stories

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What I got out of it was a cynical look at life and death, and how people react to them. My favorite, "Resume," is a man talking to God as his wife dies, but bargaining for his own life as per his weasley persona. Another is written completely in the format of an advice column, showcasing the empty lives of its readers. The most well rounded story is "The Jaws Of Life" about a guy trying to recapture lost youth through adultery.

This collection, errantly marketed as hilarious, blows away any short story book I read in college. It throws you curves, doesn't end the way you expect. It ends the way the character may end in real life. By changing or not changing, by having something unexpected and unexplainable occur, such as a car accident or cancer. You get the feeling that these are real people instead of archetypes following thier character arc.

Every writer should aspire to this level. Can't wait to read her new book.

I tracked down this book after I saw an interview with author David Sedaris where he recommended it. It was well worth the long struggle to find it. If you like writers like Sedaris and A. M. Homes, you will thoroughly enjoy this amazing book of wonderfully crafted short stories.

1. I agree with the other reviews for this book that the "funny" label slapped all over this book is misleading. It's dark tragicomedy.

2. There are definitely some pieces I enjoyed like Best of Betty and Resume. And I enjoyed the way this author describes things. But as far as the content of most of the stories, it felt like a bunch of really well-written but intensely disconnected sketches. There were many times I got to the end of a story and asked, what in the hell was that? What was the point? I don't get it (and yes, I **get** things -- no reviewer should insult other readers who don't like a certain kind of book). Apparently this book speaks to some people but if you like your philosophical fiction in comprehensible format, this book is not for you. I enjoy artistry but not obfuscation. It reminds me of a friend who says really deep things and is so in his own world, and I can tell he's saying something really deep but he's speaking so nebulously that I just don't get it. And I get frustrated and tell him to be clearer and repeat back what I think I'm hearing him say until he confirms that's what he meant. That's what this book is like. Father of Invention...what was that about? It feels like someone trying too hard...like performance art on paper.

3. I will add the disclaimer that I prefer more "storytelling" narrations like the Red Tent by Anita Diamant; She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb; Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs; Life of Pi by Yann Martel; God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Vonnegut. John Irving. So maybe this book just isn't for me. Just warning people that it may not be for you either if you prefer traditional stories to sketches.

Funny as in "huh" rather than a knee-slapping good time, Jenny and the Jaws of Life is simply a fantastic collection of short stories. Dark and cynical at times (most times, in fact), it's thought-provoking while still being somewhat glib and breezy. Willett is a great talent and I'm so happy this collection is still being offered (or is being offered again, as the case may be).

I was never a big fan of short story collections until I picked up Jenny and the Jaws of Life. It's quickly become one of my favorite books of all time (right up there with A Widow for One Year and Mother Night). The stories in it are dark, bizarre and funny. I liked it so much I bought two copies.

After I lent out the first and it was never returned I was more careful. But now the second one's lost as well. I wanted to read the stories again, so I recently bought three copies; two for lending, one for keeping (just to be on the safe side).

I'm not going to quote Latin at you or tell you who else I read who's as good as Jincy Willetts but I will say the "Jenny and the Jaws of Life" is probably one of those books which will stay with me always. The narrative voice is so strong that it is actually jarring when one enters the next story and finds it so different. Yes, it is true, some kids do kill their mom and there are ghosts and car accidents and rapes and one really scary phone call in this book but there is also a true recognition of the human impulse to make sense of the senseless and a desire to connect with humanity despite the pain and the cruelty.

Willetts' recognition of the miraculous in even the most small-minded desires is beautiful. Is it funny? Yes, but not always in the way that makes you laugh.

Do not ignore this book just because you have not heard of the author. Jincy Willett is a writer of prodigious talent. In the same vein as Joseph Heller. The only tragedy is that we have not seen more from this superb author

I was blown away at these short stories. They are almost indescribable, I couldn't help feeling thru reading several of the stories that I was literally reading someone losing thier mind. I'm not saying the stories are garbled or unclear, very far from it. The author brings a mental picture into sharp focus and does it in a subtle way. Another reccomendation is these books by Banana Yoshimoto..."Lizard" or "Kitchen" . In ways her writings remind me of Jincy Willet though on a diffrent scale.
Check them out!

I loved this book. People who dont get it, dont get it because they dont get most things. It is a truly funny book, we all know these characters.

The book came fast and was still wrapped in plastic and in perfect condition. I lost my copy years ago and its one of my favorites. I was very pleased.