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A review by charlietatum
Later the Same Day by Grace Paley
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At times inscrutable, this collection of short stories gives a glance into the way stories are told—to ourselves, to each other, behind each other’s backs.
I read one collection of Paley’s stories years ago, and this one had been sitting on the shelf. At its best, it’s easy to fall into the back and forth between two or more characters (many of whom pop up again throughout the book) navigating politics, personal lives, aging, love, and loneliness. The imperfect perspectives of these characters—and the ways they navigate these imperfections—is what feels most human and exciting to read. For me, some stories got caught up in difficult to parse dialogue, and I wasn’t able to find a rhythm within the characters’ exchanges.
This is such a New York book.
Favorites:
“In the Garden”: A tight-knit community on a Caribbean island reckon with each other and a stranger.
“Somewhere Else”: A group of American Communists visit China as tourists.
“Friends”: Four women grapple with death, aging, and loss.
“Anxiety”: An onlooker warns two families about the future.
“Ruthy and Edie”: Two friends grow up together.
“Zagrowsky Tells”: An old man deals with his place in a changing world.
I read one collection of Paley’s stories years ago, and this one had been sitting on the shelf. At its best, it’s easy to fall into the back and forth between two or more characters (many of whom pop up again throughout the book) navigating politics, personal lives, aging, love, and loneliness. The imperfect perspectives of these characters—and the ways they navigate these imperfections—is what feels most human and exciting to read. For me, some stories got caught up in difficult to parse dialogue, and I wasn’t able to find a rhythm within the characters’ exchanges.
This is such a New York book.
Favorites:
“In the Garden”: A tight-knit community on a Caribbean island reckon with each other and a stranger.
“Somewhere Else”: A group of American Communists visit China as tourists.
“Friends”: Four women grapple with death, aging, and loss.
“Anxiety”: An onlooker warns two families about the future.
“Ruthy and Edie”: Two friends grow up together.
“Zagrowsky Tells”: An old man deals with his place in a changing world.