In "Gypsy Lore," one of 19 stories in Janice Eidus's new collection, The Celibacy Club, 15-year-old Anna asks a fortune teller about sex. "He comes in, he goes out. He comes in, he goes out. That's all," the gypsy replies. The gypsy's evident ennui about sex might apply just as easily to this collection itself, in which a lot happens but nothing much matters. In the title story, Nancy joins a celibacy club where everyone talks about why they're not having sex. Then she has sex with one of the club members, quits the club and buys a condo in the Bronx. In "Making Love, Making Movies" screenwriter Jeff inexplicably starts cheating on his wife of ten years, an actress obsessed with Sigourney Weaver. During each affair he casts himself as a different Hollywood actor, while each encounter becomes a scenario for yet another trite film cliché in his hackneyed mind.
Ms. Eidus's tales are often amusing, but she tends to substitute pop culture references for character development, and high concept ideas, i.e., a Barbie doll goes to group therapy, for theme. Still, readers who enjoy this type of ultra-hip urban story-telling may well find The Celibacy Club entertaining reading.
"Balancing humor and depth, the 19 short stories in this collection reflect the quirky voice, at once cynical and sincere, that has made Eidus a two-time winner of the O. Henry Award. In their funniest moments, Eidus's stories have serious subtexts of isolation, addiction, abuse and despair." ―Publishers Weekly
"Janice Eidus is more entertaining than the Marquis de Sade in a dress. Her juxtaposition of emotion-from the brazenly wicked to the ardently tender- will leave the reader breathless. The Celibacy Club is definitely a club you will want to join." ―Lucinda Ebersole and Richard Peabody, co-editors of Mondo Barbie"Eidus' powerful stories about men and women waging silent was against the culture have the eerie effect of waking us up even though we didn't know we were sleeping." ―Hal Sirowitz, Author of Mother Said
Janice Eidus, winner of two O. Henry Prizes, is the author of a novel Faithful Rebecca, and the short story collections Vito Loves Geraldine, and The Celibacy Club. She lives in New York City.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"Balancing humor and depth, the 19 short stories in this collection reflect the quirky voice, at once cynical and sincere, that has made Eidus a two-time winner of the O. Henry Award. In their funniest moments, Eidus's stories have serious subtexts of isolation, addiction, abuse and despair."—Publishers Weekly
"Janice Eidus is more entertaining than the Marquis de Sade in a dress. Her juxtaposition of emotion—from the brazenly wicked to the ardently tender—will leave the reader breathless. The Celibacy Club is definitely a club you will want to join."—Lucinda Ebersole and Richard Peabody, co-editors of Mondo Barbie
"Eidus' powerful stories about men and women waging silent was against the culture have the eerie effect of waking us up even though we didn't know we were sleeping."—Hal Sirowitz, author of Mother Said
This vibrant new collection of nineteen short stories by the two-time winner of the prestigious O. Henry Prize is by turns erotic, wildly funny, bawdy, and poignant. Eidus explores our contemporary obsessions: sex - both safe and not-so-safe; Prozac, the '90s drug of choice; Nautilus machine mania; the sinister attraction of vampires; film star James Dean; and rock 'n' roll icons Axl Rose and Elvis - all with dazzling range.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_378344218
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Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. BZ5 - A trade paperback book in very good+ condition. An unread, tight, clean, sound copy in color wraps with only very minor overall shelf wear. A collection of 19 short stories by a recognized master of the form. The author has won the O. Henry Prize twice. By the author of "Faithful Rebecca," "It's Only Rock and Roll," "Urban Bliss," "Urban Crisis," and "Vito Loves Geraldine." 199p. Size: 5"x8". Seller Inventory # SCW03823
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paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_411900656
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Seller: Columbia Books, ABAA/ILAB, MWABA, Columbia, MO, U.S.A.
1997 Eidus, Janice THE CELIBACY CLUB San Francisco: City Lights, c1997 First printing 199pp, 8vo, As new trade paperback, Seller Inventory # 50549
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Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. 1997 paperback 1st edition 1st printing with full number line signed and inscribed by the author on the title page/ffep in 2002. Foxing on edge, else fine. Inscribed by Author. Seller Inventory # ABE-1562866977635
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PAPERBACK. Condition: VG+. First Edition. SIGNED BY AUTHOR: "FOR DONNA, HAVE A TERRIFIC BIRTHDAY.". INSCRIBED & SIGNED BY AUTHOR. Seller Inventory # 044739
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Seller: Dan Pope Books, West Hartford, CT, U.S.A.
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Seller: Peninsula Books, Traverse City, MI, U.S.A.
Softcover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. SIGNED by the author on the title page. "Stories by Janice Eidus." The author was an O. Henry Prize winner. This is a nice clean, tight and unmarked book with no interior or exterior markings and no cover or spine creasing. Bookshop stickers on bottom portion of rear cover (could be removed). ; 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 199 pages; Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # 16134
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