From the author of the Pulitzer-winning A Thousand Acres, two novellas which showcase Jane Smiley’s unique gift for capturing the nuances of American domestic life.
‘I have given my children the two cruellest gifts I had to give... the experience of perfect family happiness and the certain knowledge that it could not last.’ So says the narrator of Ordinary Love, the first of two thematically linked novellas, each investigating the dream of the perfect family.
Ordinary Love gives voice to a mother, loving but unsure of her love’s value. In forfeiting her powerful husband she fears that she has done her children – insecure Joe; restless Michael; cynical Ellen – irrevocable harm.
Good Will, by contrast, is the story of a father, a relentlessly self-sufficient man determined to live apart from a coarsely materialistic world. In his singlemindedness, he does not see the damage he is causing until it is too late: his domestic idyll explodes in a frenzy of discontent.
Together, the novellas raise a multitude of questions – about being a parent and being a child; about the desire to control other people and the need to compromise.
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‘With this volume Smiley ratifies her claim as one of her generation’s most eloquent chroniclers of ordinary familial love, its pleasures and its frightening hazards.’
New York Times
'Ordinary Love' gives voice to a mother, loving but unsure of her love's value. In forfeiting her powerful husband she fears that she has done her children irrevocable harm. 'Good Will', by contrast, is the story of a father, a relentlessly self-sufficient man determined to live apart from a coarsely materialistic world. In his singlemindedness, he does not see the damage he is causing until it is too late: his domestic idyll explodes in a frenzy of discontent.
"Jane Smiley writes with such perception about the emotional perversities that assail the human heart that she manages to convince us utterly of her characters’ actions. With this volume she ratifies her claim as one of her generation’s most eloquent chroniclers of ordinary familial love, its pleasures and its frightening hazards."
NEW YORK TIMES
“I have given my children the two cruellest gifts I had to give... the experience of perfect family happiness and the certain knowledge that it could not last.” So says the narrator of 'Ordinary Love', the first of two thematically linked novellas, each investigating the dream of the perfect family.
"She demonstrates a considerable sensitivity in her treatment of love and friendships. Her vision is as clear and unswerving as the writing."
TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
"It's difficult to find a cliché or a wasted word in Smiley's prose."
THE LISTENER
"Wise, powerful and resonantly memorable, these stories are sure to be classics."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Ordinary Love: Two Novellas (Flamingo) This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006543930
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780006543930
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 2174539-20
Book Description Couverture souple. Condition: Tres bon. Flamingo collection , 1998. 1 volume broché(s) format In-8 très bon. Seller Inventory # 251602
Book Description Condition: Very Good. The first of two thematically linked novellas, each investigating the dream of the perfect family. It gives voice to a mother, loving but unsure of her love's value. In forfeiting her powerful husband, she fears that she has done her children irrevocable harm. The second novella is "Good Will". Series: Flamingo S. Num Pages: 208 pages, port. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 196 x 130. Weight in Grams: 160. Clean copy, good to very good. 1998. (Reissue). Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # KST0016776
Book Description Condition: Very Good. The first of two thematically linked novellas, each investigating the dream of the perfect family. It gives voice to a mother, loving but unsure of her love's value. In forfeiting her powerful husband, she fears that she has done her children irrevocable harm. The second novella is "Good Will". Series: Flamingo S. Num Pages: 208 pages, port. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 196 x 130. Weight in Grams: 160. Clean copy, good to very good. 1998. (Reissue). Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KST0016776
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. 214 pages. Text tanned. Ordinary love -- Good will. Seller Inventory # 346o
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Clean, unmarked copy with some edge wear. Good binding. Dust jacket included if issued with one. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders. Seller Inventory # 1579411