Female Trouble: Stories (Paperback)

~ Antonya Nelson (Author) "You can live a second life under your first one, something functioning covertly like a subway beneath a city, a disease inside the flesh..." (more)
Key Phrases: John Gamble, Dawn Wrigley, Steve One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Carmela Ciuraru Newsday Precise, perceptive, and exceedingly funny. -- Review

Review

Dave EggersSan Francisco Chronicle Any lover of realistic narrative fiction about actual and unglamorous people will be greatly rewarded by the work of Antonya Nelson.

Lynna Williams Chicago Tribune These are precise and acutely knowing stories, written by a woman who understands the potential of both female trouble and the short story form.

Frederick Busch, The New York Times Book ReviewThese are serious stories, sensual and dark, with much at risk for the reader and, one imagines, the writer...Female Trouble is the work of a strong writer who sees both panoramically and with a powerfully close focus.

Carmela CiuraruNewsdayPrecise, perceptive, and exceedingly funny.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743218728
• ISBN-13: 978-0743218726
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #552,722 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars impressive, June 27, 2003

By	Frank Loose (Lawrenceville, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I pulled this book up on Amazon to order it for a friend and I couldn't believe no one had reviewed it. I bought it in hardback when it first came out and was so impressed with the stories that I tracked down Ms. Nelson's earlier collections of stories, Land of Men, and The Expendables. I am glad I did as they each contain some gems. Female Trouble, though, is full of gems. They showcase Ms Nelson's talent for finding the fresh way of looking at the moral questions and difficult relationships that are the fodder for much of fiction. And while this is serious stuff, Ms. Nelson handles it with clarity and sensitivity and even humor. The first story is about a woman who returns to her childhood town with her young daughter and while reading the newspaper comes across something that forces her to confront her own troublesome youth. The device that drives this story is so compelling and creative that I was anxious to see i f Ms Nelson could sustain that level of creativity throughout the entire collection. She did. I believe you will find several characters and stories that stay wtih you long after you've put this one on your "A" shelf. ....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, October 2, 2003

By A Customer

Nelson's perception and clarity in writing of complex, difficult issues is an amazing talent. Her prose are smart, witty, and feel deeply connected to each and every character. Nelson's writing is so in touch with language and emotion that the reader is transplanted into the world of the characters. A fantastic collection that cannot be put down until the end is reached.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound women's anthology!, October 29, 2003

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Female Trouble is one of the most profound women's anthologies I've ever read. This collection of short stories has dark and profound subject matters. There are stories of infidelity, failed marriages, mother/daughter relationships and women's sexual prowess. Antonya Nelson is a rather talented writer with an obvious penchant for revealing women's emotions. The female protagonists are of various ages and economic backgrounds. There is something for every woman here. I can't recommend this wonderful book enough! Brava, Ms. Nelson, for revealing some rather profound truths with such unflinching honesty.